Europe and the Middle East

In 2006
DOLLARS -- 1.21M*
Missionaries 11
Partners 40
Countries 27
Volunteers 85**
MPN/MPT 3

International Ministries was surprised by the Word as Christ opened remarkable opportunities for new ministries in Europe and the Middle East during 2006.

• IM expanded its work in Bulgaria when Susan Linderman was jointly appointed by IM and ABC of the Dakotas. Susan works among Roma (Gypsy) women being trafficked into prostitution. She also helps community leaders identify factors that make women vulnerable to trafficking and helps women find security after making their way out of prostitution. The Bulgarian Baptists are now encouraging churches to also begin outreach to women caught in prostitution.

• IM started work in Britain by reassigning missionaries Jorge and Hermelinda Damasceno from Albania to England where they are helping British Baptists reach its growing Portuguese-speaking population. After five months in England, the Damascenos’ work resulted in conversions to Christ and the start of three new Portuguese-speaking congregations in local Baptist churches. The Damascenos are jointly appointed by JAMI (the international mission agency of the National Baptist Convention of Brazil) and IM.

• IM began work in Italy by reassigning missionaries Jim and Debbie Kelsey from Belgium to Italy. Immigrants from Africa, Asia and South America have settled in Italy and started churches. The Kelseys will help the Italian Baptists train the pastors of these new churches. Debbie Kelsey will also join Italian Baptists in anti-slavery work and ministry to women trapped in prostitution.

• IM missionaries Dan and Sarah Chetti gave a powerful witness to Muslims and Christians alike by remaining in Lebanon during the 34-day bombing campaign between Israel and Hezbollah. Alongside colleagues from the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary, the Chettis brought relief supplies to some 2,000 displaced Muslims and Christians who had found shelter at the Seminary, the Beirut Baptist School and other locations. They also gave attention to expatriate maids who had been working in Lebanon (some under slave conditions) and were abandoned during the bombing.

-- Rev. Charles Jones, former area director

*Number is in millions, and has been rounded to the nearest ten-thousandth. Please consult financial statement for complete accounting.

**Volunteers is the number of individual volunteers or short-term mission team members who registered with IM. This data also reflects individuals who did repeat or multiple short-term assignments in 2006.