If you could choose three words that capture your mission in life, then what would they be?

This is a question International Ministries has been praying and wrestling with for the last year. The three words IM has chosen to represent its global mission initiative are: Education, Health, & Restoration.

These three words capture the essence of the ministry contexts of IM’s global servants and international partners. As the image-bearers of Christ, we are seeking to invite others towards authentic discipleship, holistic wellbeing, and Biblical restoration.

As the Global Coordinators for Spiritual care, we integrate all three of these words into our ministry context.

Education: It’s Multifaceted

Our areas of expertise are grounded in theology, spiritual direction, pastoral counseling, trauma care, leadership, and spiritual formation. In addition, we attend annual conferences that relate to mental and spiritual health to grow our knowledge and understanding in these areas. Then, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we share what we’ve learned to encourage, guide, and refer our colleagues to what they need in their individual lives and contexts.

Beyond knowledge, however, is the invitation to deeper reflection and authentic companionship that we’re choosing to build in these relationships. Wisdom results when we slow down, pause with intentionality, and seek to conform ourselves to the image of Christ. Mutuality, humility, and curiosity are key to genuine education.

Health: It’s Multidimensional

Many of us grew up thinking about the word “health” in regard to our physical well-being. But when one studies the Bible, you quickly discern that health encompasses your entire wellbeing. Your emotions, your mental faculties, your spiritual longings, and your physical capacity are all woven together. There is also the distinct directive that health is tied to how we care for one another.

Jesus summarizes all of this when he shared that the two greatest commandments are to Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and to Love your Neighbor as yourself. (Mark 12:30-31) Health has a vertical relationship with God and a horizontal relationship with people; both are rooted in love and are inseparable.

Holistic health correlates to how we give and receive love. We walk beside our colleagues as they navigate the layered relationships in their lives.

Restoration: It’s Multilayered

Biblical restoration is God’s act of healing, redeeming, and renewing broken people, relationships, or situations. Often, this is not returning them to their original state but to a new and improved condition. Some key promises in Scripture are to restore souls (Ps 23:3), heal wounds (Jer. 30:17), replace sorrow with joy (Is. 61:7) and restore years lost to challenges (Joel 2:25). I Peter 5:10 says God will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish us.

Restoration is a journey that involves forgiveness and restitution, as well as hope for transformation. Restoration requires a space where you are seen and known without judgement or fear of rejection. Cultivating trust allows for honest feedback and accountability.

As spiritual companions this is the sacred ground we travel as we navigate themes of restoration with our colleagues.

Regional Retreats: They’re Multistoried

During 2026 & 2027, four regional retreats will be held to foster communication and collegiality with our colleagues around the themes of Education, Health, and Restoration. Led by our CEO Sharon Koh, global servants are gathering to explore these three words as we move forward together, led by the Holy Spirit, to serve in the name of Jesus.

At the end of April, we were with our colleague who minister in Europe. We were blessed by strategic brainstorming as well as playful creativity as we deepened relationships in Florence, Italy. Amanda and Jon Good, who are based in Florence, hosted us. We also learned more about our Italian Baptist partners.

Our participation and attendance at these regional gatherings provide an opportunity to connect with our colleagues face-to-face, to follow up on all those zoom conversations, and to respond in-depth to personal & ministry stories.

Prayer Requests

1. The next regional retreat will be held in the Dominican Republic in November for our colleagues in Iberoamerica & the Caribbean. Prayers for the logistics, content, and financial arrangements.
2. Our Italian Baptist partners as they work with refugees in Europe. The Baptist church in Florence is ministering with a Syrian refugee.
3. Authentic integration of Education, Health, and Restoration into our ministry as spiritual caregivers.

Your global ambassadors,

Joyce & David Reed

Global Coordinators for Spiritual Care

International Ministries