International Ministries (IM) is pleased to introduce several newly appointed or assigned global servants from the 2023-2024 fiscal year. We rejoice in their willingness to join IM in God’s mission to serve cross-culturally around the world, inviting people to become disciples of Jesus Christ and to proclaim, through both word and deed, God’s reign of justice, peace and abundant life for all creation.

HELLOS

APPOINTED

• July 2024 – Marci Carvalho was appointed to serve as an IM international associate global servant with Puente de Confianza (Bridge of Trust) in Spain, in partnership with JAMI, the mission agency of the National Baptist Convention in Brazil.
• January 2024 – Eliberto and Molly Juárez were appointed to serve as IM international associate global servants with Misión Vida y Paz (MVP), or Mission Life and Peace, in El Salvador.
• July 2024 – María Angélica Mainecul was appointed to serve as an IM international associate global servant with Puente de Confianza (Bridge of Trust) in Spain, in partnership with JAMI, the mission agency of the National Baptist Convention in Brazil.

ASSIGNED

• November 2024 – Christine (Christy) Lafferty was commissioned and assigned to serve with AMOS Health and Hope in Nicaragua.

We also recognize the faithful service of those who retired from active service with IM, moved on or into a different role, or received the ultimate call to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ during this past year.

GOODBYES

• August 2024 – Ben Chan retired after over 32 years of service as area director for East and South Asia. Since 1992, Ben has guided relationships and ministries in India, China, Nepal, and throughout East and South Asia and contributed in significant ways to IM’s overall direction.
• December 2023 – Madeline Florez-López passed away after 22 years of service in the Dominican Republic. We remember her servant’s heart and the lives she transformed through her ministry.
• September 2024 – Patti and Tim Long retired after over 40 years of service in the Dominican Republic and Mexico. Both served in education: Tim in theological education with Baja Baptist Seminary of Mexicali and Palmer Theological Seminary and Patti as a resource specialist and teacher at Monte Horeb Baptist Grade School in Tijuana.
• July 2024 – Sarah McCurdy served for 9 years, first in Costa Rica and Mexico and then as regional coordinator in education for Iberoamerica and the Caribbean. She will continue in ministry as a volunteer special assistant with IM.
• August 2024 – Aaron and Valerie Osterbrock served for six years in theological education in partnership with Sabah Theological Seminary in Malaysia.
• June 2024 – Marlene Po completed 7 years as an IM associate global servant in partnership with Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Myanmar and the U.S.
• February 2024 – Toya Richards resigned from pre-assignment preparation for service in South America.

Ultimately we know that global servant assignments are for as long as God chooses and we are thankful for the time God allows for those who commit to service in cross-cultural mission with IM.

We are also grateful for your support of these global servants! For those of you who have been supporting one of the global servants listed in the “Goodbye” section, we would encourage you to continue your partnership with IM by redirecting your giving. By doing so, you help ensure that vital ministries remain strong and global servants can confidently continue their service.

To redirect your giving, please contact IM donor services at imdonorservices@internationalministries.org or (610) 768-2323. The team is ready to assist you in finding a new global servant or ministry that aligns with your passion and commitment to God’s work.

Thank you for your continued support of International Ministries, for celebrating new global servants and prayerfully sending others off as we move into a new fiscal year. We are excited to see how God will work through global servants and the global ministry of IM.