Andy Pettigrew, manager of IMB’s next-gen mobilization, teaches at the first Missions Residency orientation outside of Richmond, Virginia. Around 45 were trained and sent around the world to work with IMB missionary teams as part of this inaugural group.
RICHMOND, Va. — Marlee Jenkins wanted more than just a “taste of missions.” The young woman felt God nudging her to cross-cultural missions, but she wondered what that looked like long term. International Mission Board’s (IMB) Missions Residency was an ideal way for her to find out.
This new program focuses on giving young adults the global experience of living life on mission while being mentored by IMB missionaries. For Jenkins, this means spending four months as a strategic part of a missionary team in Thailand.
Her journey began with 44 other mission residents at a new orientation developed specifically for the Missions Residency program. The new program takes the place of IMB’s previous semester opportunity called Hands On.
The young adults in the inaugural group, ages 18-29, are sent from 45 churches in 17 different states. They will spend anywhere from four months to a year dispersed to all parts of the globe.
Andy Pettigrew, manager of IMB’s next-gen mobilization, explained the Missions Residency program is an opportunity to be trained by some of the best in the world at carrying out the missionary tasks and to take part alongside IMB missionaries.
“We are sent to declare the good news and labor towards healthy churches among all peoples,” Pettigrew told the new mission residents. “Our success is rooted in our faithfulness. So, we must faithfully carry out God’s mission through focused perseverance and deliberate abiding in God.”
This mentoring and training process starts with a comprehensive orientation program that integrates the biblical mandate for missions, the role of the church and cross-cultural practice. Instruction centers Scripture as indispensable to shaping missionary identity, particularly the call to abide in Christ, and the biblical vision of all nations gathered in worship.
Training during the orientation week emphasized healthy church strategies as a framework for sustainable ministry. Practical exercises, such as community mapping and guided cross-cultural simulations, provided tangible methods for engagement.
“I want to be serious about this opportunity, and going out to the community to do what we just learned is a real benefit,” Jenkins said about the residents partnering with Virginia churches to gather information about their neighborhoods. “I came here with the mentality to make disciples but wasn’t sure exactly how to do that in a missions context. Now, I’ve experienced it on a small scale.”
While in Virginia for training, the young adults collected data on where people gather, cultures and if any were open to gospel conversations. One team was shocked to find someone they met in Richmond had never heard of Jesus. Others had conversations about their beliefs for the first time with Muslims, Hindus and atheists.
In addition to these moments, residents developed competencies in teamwork and intercultural communication, equipping them to collaborate effectively in diverse ministry contexts and with the IMB missionary team they will join.
Another key advantage of the new program is that it allows residents to complete essential steps for future service with the IMB.
“During the program, participants can explore both mid-term options, such as serving two years through the Journeyman program, as well as longer commitments,” Pettigrew said. “At the same time, they are able to fulfill specific requirements that may streamline their path and enable a quicker return to the mission field.”
Jacob and Elizabeth Boss, who recently served in Europe, advised the young adults to just be themselves when they reach their missionary teams. The newly appointed IMB vice president of global engagement and his wife walked the residents through Scripture and what it takes to be on a multi-cultural team. They assured the mission residents that in their own experience, the contagious energy mission residents take to the field spurs on good works. It did on their team.
“This is actually how I started,” Jacob said. “I spent six months in Asia doing a similar thing. It was my first taste of seeing the missionary task applied to the nations.”
Jenkins brightened to hear someone in leadership also once desired this same deeper experience in missions. If it was a turning point for Jacob in knowing long-term missions was for him, it could be one for her too. She grabbed a pen and wrote furiously in her notebook every tip and suggestion, not wanting to miss a drop of insight that could prepare her for the mission field.
“I feel so invested and poured into already,” Jenkins said. “I have already learned so much (at orientation). I cannot imagine what the next four months will be like. I pray we all learn what it means to truly abide in Christ and share the gospel in new places.”
Security Note: Many missionary residents will quickly go back to the field for longer terms and might serve in secure locations. For this reason, we are not using real names or photos of these young adults.
