IMB alumni hub provides space for connection and community
By Tessa Sanchez, IMB
On the mission field, missionaries quickly forge close relationships with other missionaries, often becoming like family. When missionaries return to the U.S., isolation may set in as they lose proximity to their missionary family. International Mission Board (IMB) alumni have not only said goodbye to local believers, but they’ve also said goodbye to their overseas mission family.
Some alumni who’ve been back in the U.S. for many years have lost touch with their alumni family. Laura Harrell, the IMB’s director of alumni and parent engagement, said her team frequently receives requests for contact information.
This summer, Harrell and her team are rolling out the IMB Alumni and Parent Community hub, a brand-new platform that will help alumni “find their people.” The hub’s goal, in addition to facilitating connections, is for alumni to stay involved with the IMB and “be blessed and inspired.”
In addition to searching by name and field service, the hub allows users to search by city or state to find other alumni in the area. Alumni may be moving to a new city or state and hope to connect with others they may or may not know who live in the area.
Smaller communities within the hub enable alumni to interact in group settings. For example, missionary kids can connect with one another in a group like those found on Facebook. The alumni hub’s privacy settings make it a safer alternative to form connections.
The IMB’s alumni and parent engagement team will post job links that might be the perfect fit for a missionary looking for employment. The web site also features various ways to be involved, tangible ways to advocate as alumni and parents.
Upcoming events, like MedAdvance or regional IMB fellowships, will also be posted on the hub.
Harrell said many alumni have expressed interest in hearing when someone has passed away. The bereavements section of the hub allows members to upload obituaries and read IMB’s memorial tributes for retired missionaries. In the hub, alumni will find IMB Alumni Connections newsletters, archived issues of IMB Alumni Connections newsletters, including audio versions, and a place to share books they’ve written.
Former field personnel are the inaugural group for the launch. Harrell said the site will eventually be opened to former IMB home office staff and IMB parents. She noted that while IMB parents will not have access to the searchable alumni directory, they will hopefully find the hub to be a place of support. The hope is to provide a community for parents whose children and grandchildren serve overseas.
Email [email protected] for more information.
Lifeway Women Symposium gathers hundreds to NOBTS campus
By Timothy Cockes, NOBTS
More than 300 women from 25 different states gathered at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) for the Lifeway Women Symposium on July 25-26.
Lifeway partnered with NOBTS to host the event, which featured a variety of speakers including several faculty wives and seminary graduates. The symposium focused on equipping and training women to better understand the Bible and teach it in an accessible way.
Tara Dew, wife of NOBTS President Jamie Dew, adjunct professor and director of the seminary’s Thrive program, welcomed the guests to campus on Friday evening (July 25) alongside Andrea Lennon, Lifeway director of women.
“We are so thrilled that God has brought you here and we know He will meet you here this weekend,” Dew said.
“Andrea and I met a couple of years ago at a conference just like this, and she has become one of my dearest friends. We’re praying that will happen for you this weekend. Maybe you came with a group or maybe you came by yourself, but we do not want you leaving here alone. We want you to know you have fellow friends in ministry.”
Lennon spoke highly of her friendship with Dew and echoed her sentiments about the event.
“I’m grateful that you’re here and on behalf of Lifeway Women, we want you to know we have prayed for you and we’re so excited that you’re here,” Lennon said. “We want you to know this is a safe place to gather and grow. We’ve been asking the Lord to speak boldly into your life and that you will make connections with other women while you’re here.”
Lennon served as a keynote speaker at the event alongside Jen Wilkin, author and Bible teacher from Dallas, Texas; Elizabeth Woodson, author and founder of “The Woodson Institute” and Courtney Doctor, director of women’s initiatives for The Gospel Coalition.
Breakout speakers included several women from NOBTS including Dew, Emily Dean, DeeDee Williams and Amy Williams.
Topics for breakouts included how to teach through writing, how to teach through different media, understanding cultural context in teaching, developing style in teaching and more.
One attendee from Florida, Lauren Holley, said the symposium is not just another event but rather a “sacred space,” for women in ministry.
“The women at the symposium find not only equipping and encouragement, but also a renewed sense of calling, belonging and clarity,” she said. “Women leave feeling seen, strengthened and sent.”
Amy Cato, event coordinator for Lifeway Women, thanked NOBTS for helping host the event.
“Our partnership with NOBTS was vital to the success of this event not only in their partnership as a host facility, but also as a partner in ministry who believes in equipping women to teach,” Cato said.
Dew said the seminary was honored to host the conference and spoke to the importance of such women’s ministry events.
“It was a joy and privilege to host over 335 women on our beautiful campus this past weekend,” Dew said. “Partnering with Lifeway to host the symposium was a true treat.
“The attendees were encouraged by our keynote speakers and a host of other breakout speakers on how to prepare, lead and teach well. Each lady was spurred on in their walk with Christ and to fulfill the great commission.
“As women in ministry, we can, we should and we must obey God’s call to be diligent and competent in studying and proclaiming the truth of God’s word with confidence.”
