LUBBOCK, Texas — For the fourth time in 2025, Southern Baptists gathered to celebrate new International Mission Board (IMB) missionaries on Oct. 27. Southcrest Baptist Church in Lubbock hosted the most recent Sending Celebration in conjunction with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s (SBTC) annual meeting.

Trustees of the IMB appointed the 31 fully funded missionaries who represent seven states and many Southern Baptist churches committed to sending and sustaining those called by God to go to the mission field.

“We are very thankful that we can partner together with Southern Baptist churches across North America to cooperatively send and support missionaries,” said Danny Forshee, SBTC president, in the opening of the Sending Celebration. “Tonight, we are going to celebrate the work of God in the lives of these brothers and sisters, and in their churches, as they obediently follow Him to the nations.”

Todd Lafferty, IMB executive vice president, expressed gratitude for the partnership IMB has with SBTC and Southcrest Baptist Church. He mentioned many of the participating missionaries would not be shown or their voices heard, as they will be serving in places resistant to the gospel where security may be of concern.

“As you hear their testimonies tonight, pray about your involvement in international missions,” Lafferty said. “Perhaps God is calling you to a deeper commitment to His work around the world through praying, giving, going and sending.”

Committed to their calling to London

Hannah Hill was raised in a Christian home and attended church all her life, but it wasn’t until her college years that she truly began walking with Christ. Zeth Hill grew up in a broken home and credits his grandmother and great-grandmother for their faithful Christian influence in his life.

Both Zeth and Hannah are thankful for their sending church, Calvary Church in Clearwater, Fla., where they were baptized and served on staff. Zeth was a worship associate, and Hannah was a missions assistant at Calvary.

During the Sending Celebration, Hannah mentioned Calvary has a vision to multiply churches globally, and through this shared passion, the Hills answered God’s calling for them to serve in London. They were involved in mission work for three years and are looking forward to returning to London in 2026.

“We’re excited to continue the work that’s been started, but we’re also excited to begin to engage new people and places,” Zeth said. “We’re looking forward to see what God is going to do and to bring about local stewardship of the missionary task in North London.”

The Hills also shared that they are expecting their first child in January.

“Thank you for your commitment to us and the nations,” Zeth said.

Using media talents to share Christ in Peru

Rodelliza Hao attended Parkside Baptist Church in Denison, Texas, but it took watching a video of someone sharing that Jesus is the center of Christianity for her to understand the Christian faith.

“That really convicted me,” Hao said about the video. “The God of the Bible is real, and that I was a sinner. That night I just prayed and gave my life to Christ.”

Pastors and fellow church members at Parkside provided Hao spiritual guidance and allowed her opportunities to serve. With training in videography and graphic design, she plugged into the church’s media ministry. As a Journeyman in Peru, Hao helped Peruvian churches and missionaries with media projects. She will return to Lima, Peru, for a long-term missions commitment.

“The Lord has prepared me through my church, teaching me to abide in Christ and depend on Him in prayer. Please pray that I fix my eyes on Jesus,” Hao said.

Returning to Tokyo

Growing up, Alex Windle never thought God might call her to missions. She made a profession of faith as a child and had many strong Christian examples in her life, but it wasn’t until the summer before her senior year of attending Mississippi College she felt the Lord calling her to short-term missions. She responded by serving as a Journeyman in South Asia.

After her two-year Journeyman term completed, she got a job in Arlington, Texas, and became a faithful member of The Fields Church, where many church leaders encouraged her to pursue missions long term.

“For the past three years, I’ve served as a logistics services consultant in Tokyo, and I’ll return this February,” Windle said.

In addition to her logistics role and serving IMB missionaries in Japan, Windle worked alongside different missions teams in Tokyo, helping with student outreach events, training opportunities and other strategic projects to reach people with the gospel.

“Pray for me as I continue to support IMB missionaries across Japan,” she said.

Chitwood challenges ‘You shall go’

IMB President Paul Chitwood delivered a message from Deuteronomy 31, emphasizing the importance of Southern Baptists supporting international mission work.

“In order to maintain the support of Southern Baptist missionaries already on the field, those we are celebrating tonight, and send the hundreds more willing to go, we must continue to work together,” Chitwood said, challenging churches to give more generously “than ever before” to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.

“Would you challenge your church to help us make this year’s Lottie offering the best in our history?” he asked.

Chitwood titled his message “You Shall Go,” quoting from Moses’ words to Joshua in Deuteronomy 31. He emphasized God’s faithfulness when the leadership of Israel changed from Moses to Joshua. “Everyone here is called to do our part in building God’s kingdom,” he said. “My urging to you is the same as Moses to Joshua, ‘Be strong and courageous.’”

Chitwood shared a story of his grandfather being a “benchwarmer” on his college basketball team. When the team was behind, the coach told Chitwood’s grandfather to get off the bench, but instead of sending him into the game, the coach sent him into the stands to get the crowd fired up. The team rallied and won the game, as Chitwood’s grandfather went from benchwarmer to “crowd warmer” and cheerleader.

“I want to take on that job tonight, just as Moses was doing for Joshua, as we cheer on our new missionaries,” Chitwood said, encouraging missionaries, pastors and church leaders. “You aren’t crossing the Jordan, but we hope to cross every sea, every river, every mountain, every border to get the gospel to ‘every and all,’ every nation, all tribes and peoples and languages.”

Carol Pfeiffer, IMB trustee chair, led a prayer time for the missionaries. She invited friends and family to gather around the missionaries, as the event ended.

The next Sending Celebration will be Feb. 4, 2026, at First Baptist Church in Rogers, Ark.

(EDITOR’S NOTE — Chris Doyle is a writer for the International Mission Board.)