By Donny Parrish, Executive Director
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
For many of us, John 3:16 is the most precious passage of Scripture in the Bible. It is the first verse that we learned by memory. It was the verse used to help lead us to faith in Christ. Luther called John 3:16 “the heart of the Bible — the gospel in miniature.” It is so simple a child can understand it, yet profound and deep in the marvelous truths of redemption encompassed in this one sentence.
Lifeword finds fuel for our mission in the first six words of this classic text. “For God so loved the world…” All people. Every last one. Regardless of their race. Regardless of their nationality. God loved all people. His heart is to save all people.
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9).
“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:17).
The mission that He has given to His church and, in turn, to the ministry of Lifeword is to take His gospel to the entire world. He has given us the charge to make disciples. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matt. 28:19-20).
The rapid advancement of technology and Lifeword’s embrace of this monumental shift in communication strategy gives us the opportunity to do something that just a few short years ago seemed impossible; we have the opportunity to tell the entire world about Jesus. Lifeword has positioned herself to do what Jesus commanded. “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation’” (Mark 16:15).
A Banner Year for Lifeword
2024 has been an incredible year for the ministry of Lifeword. God has blessed us to take big steps in broadening our gospel broadcast efforts around the world. You can find a detailed report from each member of our leadership team in this report. Let me just offer a few 50,000-foot highlights:
• Lifeword now preaches the gospel of Jesus in 165 languages to a potential audience of billions every day.
• Millions of people interact with the ministry of Lifeword on a daily basis through our various social media platforms.
• Radio continues to be a valuable tool in areas where the internet is not yet available.
• Lifeword’s English Facebook page recently blew past two million followers and continues to grow.
• Follow, Lifeword’s discipleship platform, continues to invite those who have encountered Jesus through Lifeword social media content to begin their walk as a true disciple of Jesus.
• Lifeword has spent the last two years experimenting and learning how to use artificial intelligence to increase our effectiveness. We have composed a code of ethics that will govern our use of AI to reach the world with the gospel.
• As of the writing of this report, Lifeword Sunday receipts for this past year are just shy of $400,000, an increase of $35,000 from 2023. Lifeword continues to be financially stable. We praise the Lord for His blessings. A detailed accounting for Lifeword’s finances can be found later in this report, in addition to our proposed 2026 fiscal budget.
2024 has offered challenging times for many of our broadcast partners around the world. It has offered a challenge for this director to navigate waters that I admit that I sometimes just don’t understand. Unique cultures around the world offer difficult situations that are not easily solved. I ask for your prayers as I do my best to deal with these issues.
The reports in this packet from our Lifeword Leadership Team go much more in depth into the great progress made in 2024. I urge you to read those and rejoice in the blessings that God gave the ministry of Lifeword this past year.
Challenges for 2025
The Lifeword Team has set challenging goals for the coming year. These goals will only be met through God doing only what He can do. Humanly speaking, these are far beyond our reach. But with the help of our Lord and with the power of His Spirit we believe that God will allow us to accomplish each one. The following are the goals that we have set for the ministry of Lifeword in 2025:
• Increase Lifeword’s gospel language count to 175. Our goal is to tell the entire world His great story. Ten new language broadcasts in one year is an ambitious goal. For many years, Lifeword has relied on individuals in various countries who had the ability to speak a targeted language to be able to increase our gospel footprint. That is still our first choice. However, Lifeword will also partner with Artificial Intelligence when we have no other viable option to share the gospel. What a gift technology is to God’s people! Pray for Luis Ortega and his team as they lead in these efforts!
• Translate, produce and implement Follow into Spanish, Ukrainian and Arabic. Making disciples is at the heart of Jesus’ Great Commission! The goal of Follow is to make disciples. Moving from English into Spanish and Arabic will be a major task. It is not enough to simply speak a language. We must be able to interact with those who will use Follow to take the first steps in becoming a disciple. That calls for insightful communication from our team and a strategic build for each of the websites. Pray for Yalanda Merrell and those that she leads in this important work.
• Continue to increase Lifeword’s English show format offering, including a new Lifeword’s children’s program. Most people in the United States come to faith in Jesus Christ during their childhood or teenage years. Research indicates that nearly half (43%) of Americans who accept Jesus as their Savior do so before the age of 13. Furthermore, two-thirds (64%) make this commitment before turning 18. After this age, the likelihood of coming to faith decreases significantly, with only 13% doing so between ages 18 and 21 and less than 23% after age 21.
Additionally, a survey by the International Bible Society found that 83% of Christians make their first commitment to Jesus between the ages of 4 and 14, underscoring the importance of childhood and early adolescence in faith formation. Similarly, a study on Evangelicals revealed that 72% came to faith before adulthood, with the largest group embracing faith between ages 5 and 12.
These findings highlight that the formative years of childhood and adolescence are critical for introducing individuals to Christianity and fostering their faith journey. For most parents, the internet is becoming a learning tool and a babysitter for their young children. Lifeword is determined to create children’s content that will take advantage of this reality. What an amazing opportunity to introduce children to Jesus at an early age! 2025 will be a year of creating a new children’s format to begin production in 2026.
We will also be focused on producing content that targets junior high and high school students. There is a great need to speak truth into the lives of students. The internet is notorious for speaking lies. Pray for us as we reach into these demographic areas with relevant programming that speaks in the heart language of children and students.
• Implement artificial intelligence as a tool to connect with our audience and guide them into discipleship. One of Lifeword’s greatest challenges is communicating with people around the world who are responding to our programming. Lifeword has spent much time and effort for the past two years developing AI tools that we can not only employ to tell the world about Jesus but that will be trustworthy in their application. We have gone to great lengths to develop an Artificial Intelligence Code of Ethics that will guide our strategies and planning for the use of this technology. Lifeword will partner with AI to help us tell the world about Jesus. AI will not be the driver of intellectual and spiritual discussions but will merely be a vehicle of delivery. Artificial Intelligence is media’s new frontier. Our goal is to use AI to glorify the name of our Lord! Pray for Jon Dodson and his technical team as they lead in this area!
• Increase Lifeword’s financial support base with more BMA church partnerships and individual donors. Lifeword has a huge challenge to share the gospel with people groups around the world. That challenge requires a huge financial investment. In a world that is being shaped and manipulated by media and technology today, God’s church cannot afford to sit on the sideline and just hope that everything turns out ok. God is asking His church to lead! We must be out front when it comes to communication. After all, we are all in the communication business!
Beginning in 2025 Lifeword will endeavor to increase our financial base by continuing to encourage the churches of the BMA around the world to partner with us. We will also endeavor to connect with the millions who are watching and listening to our content from outside our ranks. Jesus is coming soon. We must be proactive in raising the needed funds to reach those who have never heard of His great name. Pray that God will provide the resources needed to tell the world His great story!
Thank You!
I praise God for the churches of BMA America who have bought into the use of media, and in particular digital media, to share the name of Jesus. The internet is fraught with danger. The digital landscape in which we find ourselves is growing exponentially on almost a daily basis. It is an unregulated playground for the world but is hostile to those who name Christ as Lord. Yet, it is the place where the world is living. And because billions of people are going to the internet looking for answers, for friendships, for love and for advice, it is the place where God’s people can make a huge difference. Our churches have seen the opportunity and have given Lifeword a mandate to take advantage of that opportunity for Jesus. We are working hard. We are doing our best! Thank you for trusting us!
Thank you for supporting Lifeword financially. Bill Bright, the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU), prayed for three things every day. He prayed for open doors. He prayed for abundant resources. He prayed for fruit that would remain. I have been praying for these three things every morning for my seven years as your Lifeword Executive Director. I have challenged our staff to do the same. Would you join us as we pray for God to bless Lifeword? Funding a growing ministry is a huge undertaking. My God has the resources. And He is faithful.
Thank you for allowing me to serve here. Serving as Executive Director for Lifeword has truly been the honor of my life. The days can be long and the burdens can be heavy, but none of that outweighs the joy of serving our Lord and the churches of the BMA through Lifeword. Thank you for letting me try.
Thank you, Lord, for your blessings on us. I know that anything that is successful about the ministry of Lifeword comes from God’s hands. Lifeword belongs to Him. We all belong to Him. He can do with Lifeword and all of us anything that He wants. I pray that He gets glory through us.
God so loved the world that He gave…
The natural response of a person who loves someone else is to give. When you love, you want to give. Let us give our lives to the One who gave Himself for us. It is our reasonable act of worship. Thank you, Lord, for giving us your Son. And thank you for allowing us to share in your great mission around the world.
Global Operations Report
By Luis Ortega, Director of Operations
For decades, Lifeword has been committed to a single purpose: to use media to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to every nation, tribe, and tongue. Our Executive Director, Donny Parrish, leads Lifeword with a clear vision—tell the story of Jesus, and make his name famous until the whole world hears. Lifeword’s mission stands firm—to produce biblically sound, culturally relevant gospel programming that speaks directly to the heart of everyone in their cultural language.
We celebrate God’s provisions and faithfulness, which help us accomplish our goals, as you will hear from Dr. Steve Crawley in the financial report. Thankful God uses Dr. Crawley and Mrs. Ellen Siler and their sound financial stewardship, high-standard processes, and procedures to help us be fiscally responsible and uphold our fiduciary responsibility to our churches.
The heartbeat of Lifeword is our global family. Behind every blog post, every radio broadcast aired, every video produced and posted to the Lifeword cloud and social media platforms, and every disciple made and new church planted, there is a team of faithful servants who make it all possible. Yalanda Merrell, our Director of Audience Engagement, spearheads both an impactful online and offline undertaking that activates believers into disciples of Jesus and disciple-makers. She will share more about the plans to replicate that in other languages.
Jon Dodson, our Director of Internet Broadcasting and Digital Strategy, drives online engagement for Follow, our discipleship process, and every other piece produced in the home studio or abroad, and innovates new ways and best practices to leverage existing and new technologies. He will share the details in his report.
Jennifer Harrell, our Director of Church Relations, does excellent work and keeps our churches informed, connected, and engaged. Lifeword Sunday saw an increase in church participation, uniting believers under one mission: to share the story of Jesus. Emily Brantley, our Project Manager and Media Coordinator, does a tremendous job in her area and ensures all projects and media pieces, including agreements and contracts, are in their place and executed. Fernanda Posadas, our Coordinator of Latin Connections, connects with young Hispanic audiences and churches on various platforms in fresh and relevant ways.
Through the dedication of our home team, our global teams, and the power of innovative technology, the gospel has reached new corners and cultures of the world, fulfilling Lifeword’s mission in extraordinary ways and each year closer to putting the gospel in front of the whole world. This past year, we added Hindi (India), Pidgin (Africa), Mandarin/Taiwanese (Taiwan), Italian (Italy), Obo (Philippines), Persian (Persia), Nagamese (Asia), and Albanian (Albania).
Here is a brief overview of the four regions of the world and highlights of God’s moving in 2024, followed by our new initiatives and goals for 2025:
• Africa — In Africa, the seeds of the gospel that Lifeword has planted via media have begun to yield a harvest. New churches have risen in Burkina Faso and Nigeria, bringing hope to communities once unreached. The power of radio and digital media has been instrumental in Tanzania, where over 166 people came to Christ through Lifeword programming this past year. Emmanuel in Ghana stated,
“Before Lifeword, I had never heard the name of Jesus in my own language. Now, my whole village listens to the gospel every day.”
The programs in Ghana, Liberia, and Ivory Coast have further strengthened believers, equipping them to share the gospel in their native languages. Lifeword’s goal of expanding language outreach is being met, as more dialects than ever carry the message of salvation.
• Americas — Across the Americas, Lifeword’s impact has been undeniable. In El Salvador, our online radio station is now reaching Spanish speakers worldwide, providing a constant source of encouragement and biblical teaching. Lifeword has also been instrumental in new mission plants in Nicaragua, Peru, and Bolivia taking root. Andres in Peru stated, “A woman called into our station in tears, saying she had given up hope. She heard the message of Jesus on Lifeword Radio and found peace for the first time in years.”
In North America, digital evangelism is thriving, further preparing the states for discipleship. The growing Hispanic demographic is embracing gospel-centered content in record numbers.
• Asia — In a region marked by both opportunity and challenge, Lifeword’s presence in Asia continues to be a beacon of light. In Lebanon, deep conversations with Muslims and atheists have led to new discipleship relationships, proving that hearts are being softened to the truth. Nepal and Bangladesh saw a surge in discipleship, equipping new believers to carry the gospel forward. In Lebanon, Joe relayed, “A young man messaged us saying, ‘I have been searching for answers, and your videos helped me understand who Jesus is. I want to follow Him.’”
In the Philippines, new tribal radio stations were installed, reaching indigenous groups who had never before heard the gospel, paving the way for an even greater impact in the years to come.
• Europe — Europe, often seen as a difficult mission field, witnessed incredible breakthroughs this year, perhaps because of the wars. Through digital evangelism, podcasts, and social media outreach, the gospel spread further than ever in Romania and Ukraine. The video devotionals sent into Ukraine have provided hope for war-torn communities. We heard from Rama in Myanmar who shared, “We baptized a former atheist last month. He told us, ‘I watched your videos for months before I realized that Jesus was real. Now, I am His.’”
Even in secular societies, the message of salvation has taken root. Among gypsy communities and digital-native audiences, the truth of Christ is transforming lives in ways we did not imagine.
As we close the chapter on 2024, we do so with hearts full of gratitude and eyes fixed on the future. The 2024 goals of—expanding our language outreach, strengthening discipleship programs, launching new media platforms, and deepening church partnerships—have been accomplished through God’s grace.
Looking Ahead: 2025 and Beyond
But the mission is far from over. In 2025, we set our sights on increasing Lifeword’s gospel language count to 175, translating, producing and implementing Follow into other languages, implementing AI-driven tools, launching new children’s programming to reach the next generation, and increasing our financial support base. The story of Lifeword continues, and with each passing year, we draw closer to our vision: a world where every person has heard the story of Jesus in their own cultural language.
With faith in our Provider and Sustainer, determination, and the unwavering support of our Lifeword family, our board, and local churches, we move forward—one story, one language, one soul at a time.
Digital Ministry Report
By Jon Dodson, Director of Internet Broadcasting and Digital Strategies
In a testament to God’s faithfulness and strategic digital ministry, Lifeword’s ministry witnessed extraordinary expansion in 2024, as in Psalm 67:2: “That your way may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.”
Strategic Ministry Performance
• Digital Reach and Engagement — The Lord blessed Lifeword.org with 28 million new visitors, with search engine optimization proving highly effective as 24.1 million visitors (98%) came through search engines. This divine multiplication of reach reflects the scripture’s promise that God’s word will not return void (Isaiah 55:11).
• Financial Stewardship — Through God’s provision and the faithful stewardship of His people, the ministry received over $40,000 in online donations through various channels, including Faith Inner Circle, memorial gifts, and year-end giving.
Social Media Kingdom Impact
• Facebook Ministry Growth — Total engagement across 15 Lifeword Facebook pages were liked and followed by 2.5 million people. The English Facebook presence grew from 1.4 million to 2.1 million likes/follows. Ministry content reached 236 million Facebook accounts, up from 225 million. Gospel-centered video teaching garnered 52 million minutes viewed, increasing by 5 million minutes year- over-year.
• Stewardship Metrics — Through careful stewarding of resources, each dollar invested in content promotion reached approximately 103,000 Facebook accounts, demonstrating excellent return on ministry investment.
• Google Ads — In alignment with our mission to spread the gospel through digital channels and stewarding our resources wisely (I Cor. 4:2), our Google Ads demonstrated significant kingdom impact in reaching souls online.
• Campaign Performance Metrics — By God’s grace, our ads reached 7.5 million people through impressions or opportunities to be seen. 216,000 individuals clicked through to our gospel content at Lifeword.org. Through careful stewardship, we maintained a cost-efficient $0.05 per click. Total investment in Google Ads: $10,400 Kingdom Impact Analysis. Each dollar invested reached approximately 721 people with the gospel message. Engagement rates indicate the Holy Spirit’s work in drawing people to truth. Strategic targeting helped connect with souls seeking spiritual guidance Strategic Kingdom Initiatives.
The FOLLOW discipleship platform launches represent strategic advancement in fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Initial deployment in English is expanding to include Spanish (In Development), Ukrainian (Planned), Arabic (Planned) and Romanian (Planned).
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the Kingdom
In the spirit of faithful stewardship and technological innovation for Kingdom advancement, I am pleased to introduce a significant development in our ministry operations. Following careful prayer, deliberation, and establishing a comprehensive Biblical ethics framework (see Lifeword AI Code of Ethics addendum), Lifeword has begun implementing artificial intelligence tools to multiply our gospel outreach efforts.
This integration of AI technology, guided by our commitment to the BMA Doctrinal Statement and unwavering focus on human dignity as bearers of God’s image (Gen. 1:27), enables us to enhance our operational efficiency while maintaining the highest standards of ministry integrity. As we witness the Lord’s blessing through digital ministry, the innovation of AI serves as another tool to fulfill our Great Commission mandate more effectively, always under careful human oversight and in alignment with our core mission of sharing Christ’s message worldwide.
Closing
Lifeword’s digital outreach meets people where they are — online. The remarkable efficiency of the above efforts demonstrates good stewardship of ministry resources while maximizing our gospel reach. As we continue to “go into all the world and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15), these digital tools serve as modern vessels for ancient truth. We praise God for providing both the resources and the technology to share His message effectively in today’s digital mission field.
As Paul thanked the Philippians for their partnership in the gospel (Phil. 1:5), I want to express my deep gratitude to the BMA churches for their steadfast prayer and financial support. This kingdom work continues through your faithful partnership in advancing God’s mission through digital media.
I eagerly anticipate the future with faith, trusting in God’s continued guidance as we use technology for His glory and to advance His kingdom through Lifeword’s worldwide digital ministry.
Lifeword AI Code of Ethics
As Lifeword Media Ministry, we recognize the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing our mission to spread the gospel and minister to the world. We also acknowledge the ethical responsibilities that come with utilizing this powerful technology. This AI Ethics Code is designed to guide Lifeword’s use of AI in a manner that aligns with our Christian values, respects human dignity and upholds the highest standards of integrity in our ministry work. Our ethical approach is grounded in the doctrinal foundations of the Baptist Missionary Association of America (BMA).
1. Primacy of Human Dignity and the Imago Dei — We affirm that all humans are created in the image of God (Imago Dei) and possess inherent dignity and worth. As stated in the BMA Doctrinal Statement, “As the crowning work of His creation, God created humankind (male and female) in His own image. Consequently, every person from conception is of inherent dignity and worth and merits the respect of all other persons”. In our use of AI:
• We will ensure that AI systems respect and enhance human dignity rather than diminish it.
• AI will be used as a tool to support and empower human ministry, not to replace human interaction or spiritual guidance.
• We will evaluate and respond to questions about our AI systems to ensure they do not contribute to the objectification or dehumanization of individuals.
2. Truth and Authenticity in Content Generation — As bearers of God’s truth, we commit to maintaining the highest standards of honesty and authenticity in our AI-generated content. The BMA Doctrinal Statement emphasizes that “The Scriptures are God’s inerrant revelation, complete in the Old and New Testaments, written by divinely inspired men as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” In light of this:
• Human and spiritual oversight will be mandatory for all AI-generated content to ensure accuracy, doctrinal soundness, and alignment with our ministry’s values and the Scriptures.
• We will not use AI to create false or misleading content.
3. Stewardship of Data and Privacy — Recognizing our responsibility as stewards of the information entrusted to us:
• We will collect, use, and store data in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
• Personal data will be treated with utmost respect and used only for the purposes explicitly stated and consented to by individuals.
• We will implement robust security measures to protect the data of our community members and partners.
4. Accountability and Transparency — Upholding our commitment to integrity and openness:
• We will maintain clear lines of accountability for AI-related decisions and outcomes within Lifeword’s ministry.
• Audits and assessments of our AI systems will be conducted to ensure compliance with this ethics code.
• We will be transparent about our use of AI, openly discussing its role in our ministry with our board, directors, and staff.
5. Responsible Innovation — As we embrace technological advancements:
• We will prioritize the development and use of AI that aligns with our mission and Christian values.
• Innovation will be pursued responsibly, with careful consideration of potential ethical implications and unintended consequences.
• We will engage in ongoing dialogue with other Christian leaders, ethicists, and technology experts to stay informed about best practices in AI ethics.
6. Human Oversight and Final Authority — Recognizing the limitations of AI and the importance of human spiritual leadership, as emphasized in the BMA Doctrinal Statement’s section on Church Officers:
• Critical decisions regarding spiritual guidance, counseling, and doctrinal matters will always involve human oversight.
• AI will be used as a supportive and multiplying tool, enhancing rather than replacing human discernment and pastoral care.
• We affirm that “Pastors are authorized to oversee and teach the churches under the Lordship of Jesus Christ”, and AI will not be used to usurp this God-given authority.
7. Continuous Learning and Adaptation — Acknowledging the rapidly evolving nature of AI technology:
• We commit to ongoing education and training for our staff on AI ethics and best practices.
• This ethics code will be reviewed and updated to address new developments and challenges in AI technology.
As Lifeword Media Ministry, we pledge to uphold this AI Ethics Code in all our operations involving artificial intelligence. We recognize that the ethical use of AI is an ongoing journey that requires vigilance, humility and a commitment to our core Christian values, as outlined in the BMA Doctrinal Statement. By adhering to these principles, we aim to harness the power of AI to further our ministry while maintaining the trust of our churches and respect of our audience while honoring our calling to be faithful stewards of God’s message.
FOLLOW
By Yalanda Merrell, Director of Audience Engagement
A small team with a big impact. That seems to be how Jesus works sometimes, isn’t it? He didn’t call out millions, thousands or even hundreds. He called out 12 men to follow Him. Within this small group, He spent more time with just three men. Because He knew this small team would have a big impact.
Go and make disciples. That was His directive. That was the marching orders He gave to His disciples. But not before equipping them first.
Jesus has given us all that same directive, “go and make disciples”. And we’re working to train and equip people to do just that. For 60 years, Lifeword has been known as a proclamation ministry. Sharing the good news of Jesus around the world to as many people as we can in as many languages as we can. Now, Lifeword is proclaiming who Jesus is and following the command He gave – to make disciples.
This past year, we officially launched Follow at the end of April at the National Meeting. Since that time, we have introduced 643 people to what discipleship is and how to follow Jesus. In the Follow portal, 931 videos have been watched that have shown them the truth about Christ, what the Bible says about God’s plan to reach the world, and how they can join Him in this mission. In addition, for those who want more information to go deeper, we created an online portion that walks them through discipleship, and there have been 207 people walk through this online discipleship.
Our ultimate goal is to point people to Jesus, introduce them to what discipleship is, and then connect them with a local church. We now have 108 churches that have chosen to join us in this effort for us to connect people with to continue their discipleship journey.
I have been in awe of what God has done and continues to do through Lifeword and now Follow. But as our late-night infomercial friend Billy Mays said, “But wait, there’s more!”
This past year, we also launched “Follow: Conversations,” a live show (sometimes pre-recorded if needed) on Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. The goal of this is to build relationships with online viewers and to offer them a community of believers. It’s a safe place for people to ask questions and for us to search out the answers together. I lead this discussion, and I’m honest, open and transparent so they can get to know the real Yalanda, because that’s how discipleship works. Each week, we dive into a discipleship topic like prayer, how to handle the unexpected, salvation by faith alone and forgiveness. We also have guests on the show to talk about different aspects of discipleship and growing in your relationship with Jesus. In every show, we engage with them and encourage them to learn more in our Follow portal.
In the last 3 months, we’ve had more than 1.5 million views of this show alone. We also create reels from this content that help draw in new people to Lifeword, the content we provide and the hope offered through Jesus Christ. Our focus this year is about how to take that next step, from being a disciple to becoming a disciple-maker. If you haven’t seen it yet… you’re missing out.
2024 proved to be a big year for goals and dreams. Some of which got their start in the past year, but are still in the works. Follow launched in English, but at Lifeword, we want to reach people in their heart languages. We challenged ourselves with translating Follow into another language and Follow in Español is about 75% complete. Videos are currently in review and developers are working to make sure all content is in place on the site. We’ve also already started on translating Follow into the Ukrainian language and just finished shooting videos this past week. We’ve already got the ball moving for translation in our next language, Arabic. Some work has already been done, and we will be partnering with our team in Lebanon to produce the videos. One of our brothers in Romania has seen and heard about Follow and said, “I want this for Romania.”
Here at Lifeword, we are a small team. We already see a big impact from Follow and it’s growing every day. But, as we have seen through the ages, that’s how the Lord tends to work sometimes. We are praying for His guidance, His provision and Him to be glorified.
If you have questions about Follow or Follow:Conversations, I’d love to talk with you. Please give me a call at (870) 834-5067 or email yalanda@lifeword.org.
Recommendations
• We recommend that the 2026 proposed budget be adopted by the messengers.
• We recommend that the Lifeword reports be approved.
• We recommend that Rodney Burns be recognized and given a rising vote of thanks for his years of service on the Lifeword Board of Directors.
• We recommend that Sunday, October 19, 2025 be designated as Lifeword Sunday across the BMA of America.
• We recommend that every church in the BMA make world evangelism a priority by including Lifeword in their monthly budget giving.
• We recommend that Donny Parrish stand as the nominee for Executive Director for Lifeword.
