February 26, 2001

IMB reports double-digit gains
in work with international partners
___RICHMOND, Va. (BP)--Overseas Baptist groups affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board reported double-digit gains in many areas last year, including church starting and baptisms.
___Last year, IMB workers had some role in 6,520 new churches being established, an increase of 37.4 percent over the 1999 figure. In addition, 451,301 people were baptized in churches and mission points served by IMB missionaries, an increase of 24.1 percent over 1999.
___"These are not just numbers or massive global reports," said IMB President Jerry Rankin. "These are actual individuals who have been brought into the kingdom of God."
___The exponential growth in baptisms and church starts is a relatively recent development for the IMB, he added. Historically, the board has recorded incremental growth rates of 1 percent to 5 percent a year.
___"For baptisms to reflect a 24.1 percent increase this year is amazing," he said. "It just shows how big God is."
___Results in other areas:
___ 5.6 million members in churches with which IMB workers are affiliated, a 14.4 percent increase.
___ 60,988 congregations with which IMB workers are affiliated, a 16.7 percent increase.
___ 3,682 new outreach groups (formerly called preaching points) brought the total number of outreach groups to 38,294, a 0.2 percent decrease from the previous year.
___ 3.15 million people involved in Bible teaching, a 15.3 percent increase.
___ A 62.6 percent increase was recorded in new believers in discipleship, bringing the total number to 461,901.
___ 30,366 people enrolled in non-residential leadership training programs, a 46 percent increase, and 17,975 enrolled in residential programs, a 40.8 percent decrease.
___ 2,690 home missionaries sent out by missionary partners, a 1.2 percent decrease, and 1,383 international missionaries sent out by missionary partners, a 5.6 percent increase.
___Volunteerism by Southern Baptists also continued to increase exponentially last year.
___Instead of sending the projected 10,000 volunteers in 2000, a total of 30,512 Southern Baptists participated in overseas missions projects through the IMB.

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