Former missionaries stand in front of a map of Venezuela with their three children in the 1990s. One of their sons, Skip Meyer*, now serves in South Asia.
A ministry to Hispanic people in South Asia had roots in Chicagoland, which may seem to be an unlikely origin story.
IMB workers Skip and Kim Meyer* have spent their lives on two very different mission fields but with the same purpose: giving hope to people who need it and equipping others to do the same.
The Meyers moved to South Asia in 2004 with the desire to plant their lives in an area with a great need for the gospel. Their lives on the mission field started, however, in South America where they grew up as friends—each the child of missionaries. After they married, they knew continued service in international missions was their calling.
“We considered ourselves willing to go to hard places where many others might not want to go,” Kim said. “God confirmed in little ways here and there that South Asia was where He wanted us. It has the greatest concentration of lostness on the planet and it’s our privilege to serve here.”
Men and women ride a crowded train in South Asia. The region’s 1.7 billion people occupy an area less than half the size of the U.S.
The region’s 1.7 billion people occupy an area less than half the size of the U.S. God is using Skip and Kim’s knowledge of the Spanish language and Latino culture to mobilize Hispanics and Latinos to serve countries in South Asia that have a desperate need for the gospel. Some of those volunteering for international mission service are from the Latino community in Chicago.
As the Meyers have gone to some of the least-reached areas of South Asia, they’ve ministered alongside and trained Hispanic and Latino Christians who are committed to seeing the gospel reach regions it has never been before.
Skip and Kim said the impetus for their partnership and mobilization of Hispanics and Latinos came through a connection with Hispanic Southern Baptists from Chicago who came on multiple short-term trips. The Lord also facilitated a connection with a short-term team from South America who traveled to South Asia to serve around the same time.
“These short-term teams resulted in long-term teammates who are still with our region today,” Skip says.
Antonio Morales* joined one of the volunteer teams from Chicago and stayed several weeks longer before returning to the U.S.
Another missionary couple, Sebastian and Alicia Calderón*, visit the home of a South Asian man. The Calderóns, who are from Central America, came to serve with IMB missionaries in South Asia.
“This was pivotal in his decision to follow the Lord to South Asia. He went back, convinced his wife Ana*, and the rest is history,” Skip says. Antonio and Ana are now strategy leaders with the IMB.
Skip says it is a joy to see them being obedient to God’s call to share the good news in South Asia. The Meyers are strong advocates of the mobilization of churches from Spanish-speaking cultures.
The Meyers frequently host training events for Hispanic volunteers and long and short-term workers. Skip says that leading them to become faithful and effective long-term missionaries is a goal.
During this season for prayer and financial support for international missions through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, Southern Baptists are encouraged to pray for Hispanics and Latinos as they serve in hard-to-reach regions of South Asia. In particular, remember the Meyers and other IMB missionaries as they serve in areas in great need of the gospel. And pray for more Hispanics and Latinos to answer the call to serve.
*Names changed for security purposes.
– from IMB