Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS) plans to produce 100 new missionaries annually in what President Jason Allen is calling a “missions moonshot.”
Allen announced the plan and a $2.5 million gift to fund it at the seminary’s spring convocation in January.
Allen began the service referencing President John F. Kennedy’s 1961 moonshot address to rally the American people to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade. The term ‘moonshot,’ Allen explained, is shorthand for a goal that is so daunting and ambitious that it requires a special, collective effort of sacrifice and determination.
Midwestern aims to produce each year 100 individuals who are committed to overseas service to unreached or underreached people groups for a minimum commitment of two years. The initiative comes in partnership with the International Mission Board (IMB).
“What we long to see God do here in the years ahead is a deepening and expanding of our Great Commission work so that annually we can see and celebrate 100 students or graduates going out to the nations,” Allen said. “We don’t intend this number generically, but through a countable, defined, and identifiable group of men and women who are called to the nations.”
Preaching from John 10:16, Allen referenced how many consider this one of the greatest missionary verses, motivating missionaries such as David Brainerd, William Carey, and David Livingstone.
“We look at John 10:16 not only to motivate us for the nations, but also to embolden us with confidence for our work,” Allen said. Allen said this is the right moment for a denominational call to the nations that would eclipse all other distractions that might hold Southern Baptists back.
The gift was given anonymously by one couple in honor of layman and seminary trustee Wayne Lee.
“I’m overjoyed by this announcement of their ‘missions moonshot,’ and this timely expansion of their Great Commission vision,” IMB President Paul Chitwood said. The Lord’s provision of financial support, strategic academic programs, rigorous overseas opportunities, and gospel-minded leadership at Midwestern Seminary makes achieving this bold goal possible—and even more.”
IMB partners with MBTS and its Spurgeon College to send students overseas for a summer after completing a year of study in missions. With a growing emphasis on missions worldwide, the school has students from 63 countries.
“God has given us a reach far beyond what we could have dreamed 10 years ago,” Allen said, referring to the time of his arrival as president, “a reach that must be maximized for the sake of the gospel.”