By Dr. John David Smith, President • BMA Global
Executive Editor’s Note: As part of this year’s theme, Your Connection to the Mission, the Baptist Trumpet is excited to feature this series in the first few issues of the year. These stories will highlight how churches in the Baptist Missionary Association (BMA), working together, have impacted lives around the world for eternity. From pastors encouraged by BMA Financial to students transformed at Central Baptist College and individuals reached through missionary efforts from the state, national and international work of missions, these narratives celebrate the life-changing power of our shared mission. This series serves as a reminder of the incredible difference you and your church make when connected to the mission of advancing God’s kingdom. Together, we are making a global and eternal impact. Stay informed about what God is doing, be inspired by the lives changed through the ministries of the BMA and get involved as you stay connected to the mission through the Baptist Trumpet.
The BMA Department of Missions exists to facilitate discipleship-based multiplication through making disciples, developing leaders and planting churches. Rooted in God’s mission to reveal His glory and love to the nations, its efforts focus on sustainable and reproducible ministries. Guided by core values such as Holy Spirit-led risk, local church-driven missions and discipleship-based multiplication, the BMA aims to advance the gospel with conviction, humility and a commitment to Christ’s Great Commission.
The following is a summary of a testimony from Ecuador by BMA Global missionary Buddy Johnson that exemplifies one transformed life out of the thousands of people saved yearly through BMA Global ministries:
Ivan grew up in a seemingly normal home until his mother passed away when he was seven. His father, consumed by grief and alcoholism, withdrew, leaving Ivan and his seven siblings to fend for themselves. Struggling with hunger, loneliness and abuse, Ivan sought belonging in the streets, joining peers from similar dysfunctional backgrounds. His descent into alcohol and drug addiction began at a young age, leading to repeated imprisonment in juvenile correctional facilities. Attempts to escape his pain through substance abuse only deepened his bitterness and despair.
At 13, Ivan survived a stabbing but emerged more hardened and addicted. He fathered two children in his early years but, following in his father’s footsteps, lost his family due to his destructive behavior. Imprisoned once again, he grappled with feelings of worthlessness and questioned why his life was so full of suffering. Despite multiple attempts to end his life, Ivan continued spiraling until severe illness briefly sobered him. During this time, he met his wife, who gave him fleeting hope. However, addiction soon consumed him again, causing her and their child great pain.
In his darkest moment, Ivan remembered hearing about Jesus’ power to change lives. Crying out to Christ for help, Ivan began seeking Him, eventually encountering Jesus in a small church. Though the journey has been challenging, Ivan’s life was transformed. Married for 22 years, he now shares the gospel passionately, having led many to Christ in his church in Ecuador. Ivan acknowledges his ongoing struggles but finds hope and strength in Jesus, his Savior. Grateful for God’s grace, Ivan is committed to helping others find freedom and new life in Christ. Despite setbacks, his testimony reflects a life redeemed by God’s love and purpose.
Looking ahead to 2025, we are filled with anticipation for new opportunities. These include church planting initiatives in Armenia, India, Cambodia, Ukraine, Cape Verde and the Middle East, adding to the nearly 70 countries where work is already established. We ask for prayer and support for these efforts, alongside continuing church planting in the U.S., the BMA Global ministries of mobilization, missionary care, Healthy Church Solutions, medical missions, chaplaincy, missionary publications and short-term missions all look to grow and bear fruit.
We are currently working toward World Missions Day on Feb. 23, and our theme this year is “Send Me.” This is a day of celebration for what God is doing in His worldwide mission and a time to recommit our prayers, finances and energy to making God known to the nations.
If you have not registered your church for World Missions Day, please visit bmaglobal.org/worldmissionsday or email Sidney Vines at sidney@bmaglobal.org.
The mission demands hearts transformed by the gospel, filled with the Spirit, dominated by the Word and totally given to God’s call. Together, we answer His call with a resounding “Send Me.”
