In meetings with delegates during the biennial of the American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA), International Ministries (IM), American Baptists Churches USA highlighted work on various fronts to mobilize missionaries, regions, churches and individuals to work with partners around the world.

The biennial, held in Washington, DC from June 29 through July 2, 2007 celebrates 100 years of ABCUSA history and cooperative mission.

In the joint-board report of IM and National Ministries, held on Sunday July 1 and Monday July 2, the global mission agency highlighted its work in tsunami relief, cross-cultural evangelism, leadership development, children in poverty, human trafficking and volunteer mission.

Dr. Reid Trulson, executive director of IM, told the 2,500 persons in attendance, "National Ministries and International Ministries will report … on the amazing light of Christ as seen through the collective ministry of American Baptists. We have been on the front lines of wars and natural disasters, [and] bringing the word of God in new and engaging ways."

IM highlighted the more than $2.5 million raised through One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) for tsunami relief, which helped support more than a dozen relief efforts in five affected countries in the Indian Ocean region.

IM Missionary Magda Aguirre, who teaches theology and does ministry leadership development in El Salvador, told the biennial, "In a country between progress and poverty, we are challenged to effectively communicate the gospel truth in a way that empowers people." Aguirre said her work at the Latin American Baptist Seminary, the Cooperative of Baptist Women from Puente Cuscatlan, the Galilea Baptist School and work with volunteers to build a peace park in this former war-torn country are all examples of IM's empowering witness and cooperation in El Salvador.

The mission of IM to make a difference in the lives of street children -- estimated to be more than 100 million worldwide -- was also highlighted. Rev. Charles Jones, an IM area director, shared with delegates the work of missionaries in Brazil, young adult Xtreme team mission volunteers in Bolivia and development workers in Laos PDR to provide food, clothing, shelter, training and ministry to hundreds of children in these respective places.

A new initiative of IM to mobilize volunteers -- in a Missionary Partnership Team or MPT -- was shared with delegates. An MPT is a small group of individuals who are selected by a missionary to come alongside their work and support them spiritually, relationally and financially. More than 300 people have signed up to participate in more than 32 teams, which have been trained to serve missionaries and partner with them in a new way. The impact of this growing engagement in the work of IM missionaries is evident in significant increases in giving for the ongoing support of particular missionaries, largely through what is called "targeted giving." The amount of targeted gifts nearly doubled to $969,682 in 2006, from $501,003 in 2005.

One of the most important highlights of the report was about IM's leading-edge work in human trafficking, particularly the sex trade. Prior to the biennial, in the board meeting of IM, the board passed a resolution to confront this global phenomenon, saying "slavery is contrary to Christ's mission and an assault against humanity."

The work of several of IM's missionaries has garnered national and international attention.

"Overall, IM has been busy partnering with missionaries, churches, regions and Christians around the world to help bring people to Christ, help them grow in Christ and empower those people to change their world with Christ," said Trulson. "These ministry initiatives and many others are indicative of the important contributions American Baptists continue to make to global mission as we enter another century of work and witness."

IM is a Baptist mission agency, established in 1814, which serves the more than 5,800 churches of the American Baptist Churches USA. Globally, IM relates to more than 500 educational institutions and 125 hospitals and medical facilities. Missionaries work in partnership with some 15,000 trained national workers, who serve about 22,000 congregations and nearly 3,000,000 baptized members.