American Baptist International Ministries (IM) has launched renewed efforts to proactively recruit and send new missionaries and development workers for long-term, incarnational service around the globe.  Two couples were commissioned for service by the Board of International Ministries for in 2011.  Katie and Taku Longkumer began service in North East India in October of 2011, and  J.D. and Rhonda Reed are currently in language training in Costa Rica in anticipation of service in Bolivia.  Three additional couples have been endorsed and are in the process of building their Missionary Partnership Networks and preparing for commissioning and sending to their country of service:  Dagoberto and Dilia Zelaya (Honduras), Debbie and Keith Myers (Mexico), and Emerson and Ivy Wu (Macau). 

As IM ramps up efforts to identify people God is calling to international service, IM is also receiving new requests for missionaries to come alongside and work with its international partners to enable people to come to faith in Jesus, grow in their relationship with God and change their worlds through the power of the Spirit.  Twenty-six new career opportunities for international service are newly posted under on the International Ministries website, and more will be added as new requests are received from  partners.

Opportunities calling for a wide range of educational backgrounds and a variety of gifts, talents and prior experiences abound for individuals and couples.  A person with a Ph.D. in in theology is requested for teaching in a seminary in China.  Experienced doctors and nurses are needed to treat patients and to train new practitioners at the Vanga Evangelical Hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  A Christian School in South Africa is seeking a skilled handyman (or woman) to serve as a Maintenance Supervisor.

Persons considering a call to international service can learn about the available career and volunteer opportunities at http://www.internationalministries.org/get-involved.     “As you do so,” says IM Director of Recruitment Jim Bell, “perhaps you’ll have an experience like that of the Apostle Paul, whose life and ministry changed directions when he had a vision of a Macedonian man saying ‘come over and help us’” (Acts 16:9).  IM’s international partners are extending invitations for American Baptists to come over and help them, and IM is here to help you hear the call, and respond!”

For more information about any of the career opportunities listed or about the process of becoming an IM missionary or development worker, contact recruitment@internationalministries.org  Interested individuals are also  invited to attend the “Call Retreat” May 18-20 at Green Lake, part of International Ministries 2012 World Mission Conference (http://www.internationalministries.org/read/38513-may-2012-hear-the-call).