IM, Inc. News Release – Good Tidings of GREAT JOY to All People
December 12, 2024
Antioch, Tennessee—On December 11, 2024, the IM board met together to celebrate how IM is continuing the mission. Two new board members joined the ranks as Paul Etterling, Pastor of Westerville FWB Church in Westerville, Ohio, and Chris Todd, Pastor of CrossPointe Church in Norman, Oklahoma, began their tenures.
Rodney Yerby, new IM Board Chairman, says, “I am both amazed and humbled by the work God is doing around the world through IM. He is continuing to call Free Will Baptists to missions, and our people are responding. We are continuing to expand our partnerships with like-minded believers around the world, many in areas where Western missionaries simply cannot go. I am excited about the future of IM!”
After receiving the resignations of Reese and Charity (partners), Bryson Foulks, and Callie Stox Lydic, the Director of Field Ministry Personnel, Curt Holland, states, “Life cycles are all around us! The Lord continues to call workers into the harvest fields. At times, the Lord also directs His servants to take different paths in ministry. One of our IM partner couples and two interns submitted their resignations to the IM board today.”
The IM board discussed reductions to help the challenges of the General Fund and solutions that will keep it adequately funded. The General Fund plays a key role in supporting the entire mission of IM. It funds recruiting, vetting, training, and onboarding for missionaries, as well as student ministries, short-term mission trips, partner ministries, the necessary personnel infrastructure, and much more. Don Matchett, Director of Development says, “A healthy General Fund is vital for a healthy mission. While the General Fund may not directly deliver the Gospel message, it exists to support the Gospel message. We need individuals and churches ready to partner with monthly gifts to IM for sustainable income.”
The IM Board adopted a 2025 total budget of $17.1 million, which includes operational ministries and personnel as well as IMpact, THP, and other special projects. Blankenship CPA Group was appointed to perform the 2024 audit.
One moment of great joy was when IM Board Vice-Chairman, Will Harmon, announced that his church, Cavanaugh FWB Church in Fort Smith, Arkansas, took an offering of $112,687 and presented a giant check to the World Missions Offering (Pictured below). As gifts continue to come in through the end of the year, we are excited to see how God will use individuals and churches who give to the WMO to help partnerships, missionaries, and the IM General Fund.
Partner with IM in prayer for the challenges of the General Fund. Praise God for those who faithfully serve on our mission fields. And participate in giving so that others can go out to share the good tidings of GREAT JOY with people all around the world.
IM labors with the Body of Christ to fulfill the Great Commission.
