For the fourth time in 2025, Southern Baptists gathered to celebrate new International Mission Board missionaries on Oct. 27. Southcrest Baptist Church in Lubbock, Texas, hosted the most recent Sending Celebration in conjunction with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s annual meeting.
Trustees of the IMB appointed the 31 fully funded missionaries who represent seven states and many Southern Baptist churches committed to sending and sustaining those called by God to go to the mission field.
The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention hosted IMB’s Sending Celebration during their annual meeting in Lubbock, Texas. They celebrated and sent out 31 newly appointed missionaries to all corners of the world. IMB Photo
“We are very thankful that we can partner together with Southern Baptist churches across North America to cooperatively send and support missionaries,” said Danny Forshee, SBTC president, in the opening of the Sending Celebration. “Tonight, we are going to celebrate the work of God in the lives of these brothers and sisters, and in their churches, as they obediently follow Him to the nations.”
Todd Lafferty, IMB executive vice president, expressed gratitude for the partnership IMB has with SBTC and Southcrest Baptist Church. He mentioned many of the participating missionaries would not be shown or their voices heard, as they will be serving in places resistant to the gospel where security may be of concern.
“As you hear their testimonies tonight, pray about your involvement in international missions,” Lafferty said. “Perhaps God is calling you to a deeper commitment to His work around the world through praying, giving, going and sending.”
Committed to their calling to London
Hannah Hill was raised in a Christian home and attended church all her life, but it wasn’t until her college years that she truly began walking with Christ. Zeth Hill grew up in a broken home and credits his grandmother and great-grandmother for their faithful Christian influence in his life.
Zeth and Hannah Hill share about returning to serve in London. The couple served three years in England and look forward to continuing the work that has been started and begin engaging new places and people in North London. IMB Photo
During the Sending Celebration, Hannah mentioned Calvary has a vision to multiply churches globally, and through this shared passion, the Hills answered God’s calling for them to serve in London. They were involved in mission work for three years and are looking forward to returning to London in 2026.
“We’re excited to continue the work that’s been started, but we’re also excited to begin to engage new people and places,” Zeth said. “We’re looking forward to see what God is going to do and to bring about local stewardship of the missionary task in North London.”
The Hills also shared at the Sending Celebration that they are expecting their first child in January.
“Thank you for your commitment to us and the nations,” Zeth said.
Using media talents to share Christ in Peru
Rodelliza Hao attended Parkside Baptist Church in Denison, Texas, but it took watching a video of someone sharing that Jesus is the center of Christianity for her to understand the Christian faith.
Rodelliza Hao served in Peru and will be returning to serve in creative media, supporting missionaries and Peruvian churches. Friends, family and messengers at the Southern Baptists Convention of Texas’ annual meeting prayed with the newly appointed IMB missionary. IMB Photo
“That really convicted me,” Hao said about the video. “The God of the Bible is real, and that I was a sinner. That night I just prayed and gave my life to Christ.”
Pastors and fellow church members at Parkside provided Hao spiritual guidance and allowed her opportunities to serve. With training in videography and graphic design, she plugged into the church’s media ministry. As a Journeyman in Peru, Hao helped Peruvian churches and missionaries with media projects. She will return to Lima, Peru, for a long-term missions commitment.
“The Lord has prepared me through my church, teaching me to abide in Christ and depend on Him in prayer. Please pray that I fix my eyes on Jesus,” Hao said when sharing her testimony at the Sending Celebration.
Returning to Tokyo
Growing up, Alex Windle never thought God might call her to missions. She made a profession of faith as a child and had many strong Christian examples in her life, but it wasn’t until the summer before her senior year of attending Mississippi College she felt the Lord calling her to short-term missions. She responded by serving as a Journeyman in South Asia.
Ben and Jess Thacker, North Carolina pastor, will go to the Americas as new IMB missionaries with their four children. IMB photo
After her two-year Journeyman term completed, she got a job in Arlington, Texas, and became a faithful member of The Fields Church, where many church leaders encouraged her to pursue missions long term.
“For the past three years, I’ve served as a logistics services consultant in Tokyo, and I’ll return this February,” Windle said when sharing her testimony at the Sending Celebration.
In addition to her logistics role and serving IMB missionaries in Japan, Windle worked alongside different missions teams in Tokyo, helping with student outreach events, training opportunities and other strategic projects to reach people with the gospel.
“Pray for me as I continue to support IMB missionaries across Japan,” Windle said.
Chitwood challenges ‘You shall go’
IMB President Paul Chitwood delivered a message from Deuteronomy 31, emphasizing the importance of Southern Baptists supporting international mission work.
Rachel Witt, newly commissioned IMB missionary from Tennessee, will use medical aid and education to serve in Madagascar. IMB photo
“In order to maintain the support of Southern Baptist missionaries already on the field, those we are celebrating tonight, and send the hundreds more willing to go, we must continue to work together,” Chitwood said, challenging churches to give more generously “than ever before” to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering®.
“Would you challenge your church to help us make this year’s Lottie offering the best in our history?” he asked.
Andrea Spikes, IMB missionary from Tennessee, will return to Europe to use her graphic design skills. Her missionary team uses digital engagement to find and share the gospel among some of the hardest-to-reach people in the world. IMB Photo
Chitwood titled his message “You Shall Go,” quoting from Moses’s words to Joshua in Deuteronomy 31. He emphasized God’s faithfulness when leadership of Israel changed from Moses to Joshua. “Everyone here is called to do our part in building God’s kingdom,” he said. “My urging to you is the same as Moses to Joshua, ‘Be strong and courageous.’”
Chitwood shared a story of his grandfather being a “benchwarmer” on his college basketball team. When the team was behind, the coach told Chitwood’s grandfather to get off the bench, but instead of sending him into the game, the coach sent him into the stands to get the crowd fired up. The team rallied and won the game, as Chitwood’s grandfather went from benchwarmer to “crowd warmer” and cheerleader.
Paul Chitwood, IMB president, challenges messengers at the Southern Baptist Convention of Texas annual meeting to support their missionaries in prayer, presence and through giving. His sermon emphasized Moses’ challenge to Joshua to “be strong and courageous.” IMB Photo
“I want to take on that job tonight, just as Moses was doing for Joshua, as we cheer on our new missionaries,” Chitwood said, encouraging missionaries, pastors and church leaders. “You aren’t crossing the Jordan, but we hope to cross every sea, every river, every mountain, every border to get the gospel to the ‘every and all,’ every nation, all tribes and peoples and languages.”
Carol Pfeiffer, IMB trustee chair, led a prayer time for the missionaries. She invited friends and family to gather around the missionaries, as the event ended.
The next Sending Celebration will be Feb. 4, 2026, at First Baptist Church in Rogers, Arkansas.
– Chris Doyle writes for the IMB.