Your IMB E-Letter
March 5, 2014
 Trouble in Ukraine
Despite frightening news reports as Russian forces occupied Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula, IMB personnel and their national partners aren’t slowing down. “We’re able to do our ministry,” said an IMB worker who lives in Kiev. It’s a sign of the maturing of evangelical work in Ukraine. In fact, the interim national president voted in by the Ukrainian Parliament is a Baptist lay preacher. Personnel ask prayer “that we make use of this opportunity to be purveyors of the Gospel light.”
 IMB trustees start search to find Elliff’s successor
During the trustees meeting Feb. 25-26, IMB president Tom Elliff requested the search begin to find his successor. Elliff, who has led the mission agency since 2011, will remain president of the organization until the next president has assumed leadership. “We are running through the finish line,” Elliff said. “… We are not slowing down. We are moving ahead.”
See a video and open letter from Elliff  WorldView: World weary
A news photo of Marwan, the 4-year-old Syrian boy recently found wandering in the desert near the Syria-Jordan border, went viral on social media. News travels instantaneously, bringing us images of tragedies, wars and disasters 24/7. But that poses a new problem. The constant onslaught of information dulls our senses. World-weary Americans, living far from the conflict zones, turn inward. But God calls His followers to greater things.
Visit WorldView Conversation, the blog related to this column.
VIDEO: See a Global Hunger Relief update on the crisis in Syria and how needs are being met in other parts of the world.  Exploited in Asia
They are hard to find, their time is limited and they are just as lost as any other person. They are the prostitutes and exploited peoples of Asia, and their opportunity to hear about Jesus is slim. Hear how Christians are reaching out to the men and women working in the red light districts of Thailand, meeting them where they are with the Good News that Jesus loves them.
Read a photographer’s story while documenting Thailand's red light districts. Learn how an orphan headed for life in the sex industry finds hope in Christ. Journey into the world of red light districts and see how sharing Christ is making a difference. Explore a map of Asia's exploited.  How do you say goodbye to the love of your life?
It wasn’t supposed to happen this way. Eight years ago, the Harpers uprooted their family and moved to a spiritually dark corner of Central Asia to spread the Gospel as Southern Baptist missionaries. By 2012, they were entering the prime of their ministry. That’s when ALS changed everything, forcing the family to return to America. On the morning of Jan. 20, 2014, Mary stopped fighting as John told her through his tears, “Go be with your God.”
Read excerpts from a letter John Harper wrote and read at his wife’s funeral.
 Life-changing encounters with God spur missionaries to go
Forty new missionaries were appointed by IMB trustees in a Feb. 26 service at Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin, Texas. No matter how unusual or atypical their journeys, these new missionaries each had a life-changing encounter with God that led to a place of eager surrender and response: “Here I am. Send me.”
 Hobbs church far surpasses goal in missions giving
Taylor Memorial Baptist Church in Hobbs, N.M., has exceeded last year’s Lottie Moon offering by 32 percent, with a total of more than $113,000. Church members have raised money in a variety of innovative ways. “The need of the nations is too great for us not to take the most sacrificial steps possible to get the Gospel to the world,” Pastor Andrew Hebert said.
Taxes are optional
With wise planning and gifts given to missions, you can eliminate estate taxes, provide for the needs of your family and fuel the growth of the kingdom. Take a look at some of options available to you. Contact the IMB Development Office. to arrange personalized planning help. 200,000 Hindi Bibles donated for Asia
The Thomas Project invited customers at LifeWay’s 186 stores to purchase a Bible for $5 to send to South Asia. The goal was to be able to distribute 100,000 Hindi language Bibles, but customers gave enough for twice that many. IMB President Tom Elliff said, “We can only dream what will happen as these Hindi Bibles are distributed to the new believers and the lost as well.”
 Before and after in the Philippines
Baptist Global Response is continuing relief efforts in the Philippines, a nation still recovering from Typhoon Haiyan’s devastating effects last November. See how lives were changed because you gave.
 A wind in the house of Islam
In this century alone, Muslims have come to Christ as never before. A wind in the house of Islam author Dr. David Garrison has traveled around the world gathering personal stories from more than a thousand Muslim-background followers of Christ. He also provides practical ways that we can participate in God’s great work among Muslims today. A great resource for sharing Jesus with Muslim neighbors in practical ways.
 Loving the Lost 30-day prayer guide, edition 12
Intercessory prayer is one way we can impact a lost world and express our love for the lost. This newest 30-day prayer guide has daily entries prayerfully selected by our prayer strategists within each affinity group. The guide fits into your Bible for personal prayer time and is a great resource for small groups.
 Living Letters, March/April edition
Discover how Skybridge Community can help you weave your life, your work and your purpose together to help advance the Gospel around the world in this edition of Living Letters. Meet a professional couple who did just that. And explore the God-sized vision of pushing back lostness in North America.
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