On earth as it is in heaven
Matthew 6:10
Our Purpose
American Baptist International Ministries works cross-culturally to invite people to become disciples of Jesus Christ and to proclaim, through both word and deed, God’s reign of justice, peace and abundant life for all creation.
Our Core Values
We commit ourselves to these core values, repenting when we fall short and seeking the power of the Spirit to more fully embody them in the future.
Faith. We believe mission springs from God’s initiative, is guided by God’s Spirit and is accomplished through God’s power. We desire to be grounded in and faithful to Scripture in our understanding and practice of mission. We endeavor to follow the example of Jesus, who embodied God's love by identifying with those he served. We continually call upon and listen for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in prayer. We strive to live out our faith in all we do.
Service. We believe Jesus met human need with a holistic salvation, one that touched all aspects of life. We witness to Jesus Christ in ways that include verbal proclamation of the gospel, response to human need and care for creation. We cultivate integrity, stewardship, honesty, transparency and accountability in all aspects of our work. We encourage flexible and creative responses to the leading of the Holy Spirit as we seek to be of service to God, God’s people and the world.
Community. We believe God calls humanity into relationships of love and support in community. We care for all people with whom we work, both those who are served and those who offer their lives in service. We engage in mission in ways that respect the giftedness of all our partners and the diversity that God creates and in which God delights. We are committed to partnership and cooperation with a wide range of agencies, both within and beyond the American Baptist movement, to fulfill God’s call and our mission. We strive to build relationships of mutual giving and receiving.
Focused Impact Areas
Inviting People to Be Disciples of Jesus
Evangelism. IM shares the gospel of Jesus Christ in respectful and creative ways.
Discipleship. IM nurtures both individuals and communities as they grow in their knowledge of and commitment to Christ.
Theological Education. IM trains church leaders in both formal and nontraditional settings.
Proclaiming God’s Reign of Justice, Peace and Abundant Life
Immigrants and Refugees. IM serves immigrants and refugees, building upon the celebrated immigrant and refugee ministries of American Baptist congregations, regions, national organizations and partners in order to develop similar ministries on a global level.
Peace and Justice. IM works with the Body of Christ around the world to embody God's love in situations of discord, suffering and conflict.
Abolition of Trafficking in Persons and Global Slavery. IM provides exemplary services to survivors of trafficking in persons and all forms of modern-day slavery.
Education. IM promotes the liberating power of education through ministries that range from basic literacy through graduate study.
Economic Development. IM transforms lives in the name of Jesus Christ by empowering people and communities through economic development.
Health and Wellness. IM engages in curative, preventive and educational ministries around the world that promote holistic health and wellness.
Equipping the Body of Christ to Engage in God’s Mission
Promotion of Mission “From Everywhere to Everyone.”1 IM assists the efforts of churches and partners around the world as they engage in cross-cultural ministry and send their own missionaries.
Short-Term Mission Engagement. IM promotes and provides opportunities for individuals, churches, American Baptist regions and educational institutions to engage in life-changing cross-cultural ministry experiences.
Youth and Young Adults. IM inspires youth and young adults to grow as disciples of Jesus.
Training and Capacity Building. IM contributes to the strength and vitality of partners around the world and in the U.S. and Puerto Rico helping to develop increased capacity to do their ministries.
1. IM is grateful to friend, colleague and theologian Samuel Escobar for coining this phrase. See his book The New Global Mission: The Gospel from Everywhere to Everyone (©2003, InterVarsity Press).