David and Joyce Reed have been reassigned to serve as IM’s Global Coordinators* for Spiritual Care. In this role, they will broaden and expand work they have done as Regional Consultants for Spiritual Care in Iberoamerica and the Caribbean to focus on cultivating a culture of health and well-being for IM personnel around the globe, as well as in the home office in King of Prussia, PA. They will collaborate with IM leadership and area directors to coordinate implementation of Goals for Personnel Care set forth in IM’s strategic plan Responding to the Call.

David and Joyce served for 16 years as IM missionaries in La Paz, Mexico and have served 4 years in their regional role facilitating spiritual care for global servants. Joyce is currently a doctoral student at Portland Seminary focusing on spiritual formation and leadership in her ministry context with global servants. She and David teach in the Masters of Theological Studies in Latino/a Ministries which is a joint venture of IM, Palmer Theological Seminary, and the American Baptist Home Mission Societies. In recent years, they have integrated spiritual care practices more deeply into IM’s annual Conference for Missionaries and Hear the Call Retreats.

Their aim as spiritual caregivers is …

• to offer spiritual guidance, support, and presence
• to provide workshops and retreats on self-care, soul care, and community care practices
• to research and find resources to support spiritual growth and health;
• to walk with colleagues through significant times of transition, transformation, grief and loss
• to mentor global servants during their first years on the field.

“This new assignment carries forward IM’s historical commitment to care for its global servants,” says Jim Bell. “Care for Personnel’ is a high value for IM. As global coordinators for spiritual care, David and Joyce will allow IM to more intentionally cultivate a culture of health and member care which sustains and nurtures global servants and staff so that they may thrive and be effective in following God’s call to global service.”