February 11, 2025

BMA Bible College in the Philippines Approaches 50th Anniversary

Missionaries across the centuries have had the enormous responsibilities of providing the training needed to sustain the work of bringing converts to Christ and establishing churches. In fulfilling this colossal task, BMA Global missionaries over the past 75 years have founded Bible colleges and institutes in the United States and around the world.  I’ve had the distinct pleasure to teach in many of these institutions.
February 4, 2025

The Legacy of Church Planting

On December 26, 1979, my wife Shelby and I left central Arkansas headed to Marion, IL, to pastor West Boulevard Baptist Church. This is where a journey of friendship and ministry with men our tribe referred to as interstate missionaries began. These families had moved to the “fringe” areas of our association to reach people far from God and plant churches in states some refer to as unreached people groups.
January 28, 2025

A United Mission

In 1965, a visionary named Harold Morris, the first missionary commissioned by the Baptist Missionary Association (BMA), set out to change the way the gospel was spread. After retiring from his mission field in Brazil due to health concerns, Morris had a bold new idea: using media to reach the masses with the message of Christ. He launched the Harvest Gleaner Gospel Hour (HGH) in St. Louis, with a clear mission—to “make Jesus known to the multitudes.”
January 21, 2025

Remembering Missionary Rufus Crawford

I was invited by Pastor Jarede to speak for a few minutes about Pastor Rufus Crawford, but I have already encountered a major problem: how to summarize, in so few words, the life of a great missionary? Nonetheless, let's talk about some traits of Pastor Rufus and a little information about the great work he accomplished.
January 14, 2025

John Elliott: Early Missionary to Brazil

Life as a missionary in Brazil in the 1950s was quite an experience with travel by foot, bus, train, and riverboat to carry the gospel. But for John Elliott, seeing lives transformed by the light of Jesus was worth it. He was one of those missionaries who trusted God to provide his needs. Later, Harriet became a missionary’s wife and joined him on the mission field, together working to tell the story of Jesus.
January 7, 2025

Send Me!

For seventy-five years, BMA Global Missions has been a testament to God’s faithfulness, weaving a story of sacrifice, transformation, and hope across generations. Reflecting on its rich history, one cannot help but feel a deep sense of nostalgia—images of missionaries embracing foreign cultures, building bridges of trust, and planting seeds of faith come to mind.
December 17, 2024

Christmas in the Himalayas

In the Southeast Asian country we serve in, Christmas is generally not preceded by a whole month of festive decorations, parties and gatherings. Instead, the people that decorate might put up a few decorations only the week before Christmas Day at the earliest. Exchanging gifts on Christmas is also still a very new concept, and the people that do adopt this Western tradition may just gift one or two small presents.
December 10, 2024

Christmas in the Philippines

Christmas in the Philippines begins with the “-ber” months–September, October, November, and December. On September 1 you will see Christmas trees in the malls and hear Christmas music in grocery stores, markets, and shopping centers. We are amazed that Christmas is not the most celebrated of the holidays, but the most celebrated is New Years. New Year’s Day is celebrated bigger and louder with lots of fireworks! And of course, the roasted pig!
December 3, 2024

Christmas in South Africa

Here in South Africa, Christmas is celebrated in various ways depending on the cultural background of the people you are with. We have celebrated with Portuguese, Afrikaans, and Pedi families, each having their own distinct traditions, over the past decade. Each one has similarities to the way we celebrated Christmas back in Texas with an emphasis on food and family, but also had the cultural elements which made them each unique.
November 26, 2024

Spreading the Gospel: How Lifeword Partners Share the True Meaning of Christmas Worldwide

Christmas—the season of joy, lights, and giving. Is there anything more magical than this time of year? The chill in the air, festive trees, twinkling lights, and presents fill our hearts with excitement. But beyond the sparkle, Christmas offers a deeper, transformative opportunity. After all, it’s not just the most beloved holiday; it’s the most celebrated one worldwide.
November 19, 2024

A Deeper Dive into Discipleship

More than a few pastors have expressed disappointment with an attempt at discipleship in their church. The process usually goes as follows: the pastor meets with a small group to instruct them in certain principles, doctrines, etc. Overall the effort is fruitful as the participants do indeed grow as a result of an intentional investment, study of God’s word, and accountability.
November 12, 2024

Sharing the Gospel Throughout the Nations

Discipleship is not exclusive to Americans or English speakers. It is worldwide, and Sisher is one of many disciple makers around the world who has given his life to the cause of Christ. A Lifeword video producer, he lives in rural Nepal, where BMA personnel recently visited his home and his church.
November 5, 2024

One ChangeMaker’s Missions Journey

Through the support of BMA Global, I attended BMA Bible College in Talisay, Philippines. Teachers like BMA Global missionaries Dr. Doug Lee and Dr. Stan Scroggins had great influence, providing preparation every pastor and missionary needs to be successful on the field. Instruction focusing on church planting, religious education, music, and theology provided the skills I now use in everyday ministry,
October 29, 2024

A Missionary Legacy

My father always wanted to go back to Nicaragua, and it was ingrained in us that the house we lived in wasn't our home. We needed to go back. That was always the plan: “We’re going back to Nicaragua.” So in 2001, my parents returned to Nicaragua and remained there until my father's death. Recently, I learned from my mother that my grandfather, my mom's dad, had always wanted to be a missionary.