Issues@Hand

AFA initiatives, Christian activism, news briefs

November 2015 – Only months after simplifying qualifications to allow more missionaries to serve, the International Mission Board (Southern Baptist Convention) has announced plans to cut as many as 800 missionaries, reportedly about 15% of IMB’s current employees. The decision was made in light of a financial deficit from overspending by $210 million in the past six years.

IMB President David Platt said the mission board will continue to send out new missionaries, but instead of focusing on sending fully funded missionaries as it has in the past, it will seek a greater number of volunteers, such as retirees, students, and professionals who already live overseas.

christianitytoday.com, 8/27/15; imb.org, 8/27/15