by Ken Catoe

From the beginning of modern missions until the present, the missionary has faced a need to present his God-given call to those who would support him in finance and prayer. How he has done that has changed many times over. There was a time when a simple letter was all that was necessary to garner the needed assistance. Today's missionary faces an audience hardened by years of exposure to the onslaught of a highly refined secular advertizing media. His faith is put to a real test as he decides how to effectively raise support. He has at his disposal promotional resources not available or affordable years ago.

BIMI's creative services staff are uniquely qualified to assist missionaries in maneuvering through this minefield of available technology. Seven staff members work to help missionaries efficiently promote their ministries. Each has many years of experience. Three have more than twenty years with BIMI. These long terms of service have spanned significant changes in technology. This is beneficial in helping veteran and new missionaries alike to adapt to new methods in a rapidly changing field. Two assist with the development of audio/visual presentations and the purchase of audio/visual equipment. One works with missionaries in communicating with their supporters through prayer letters. More than 200,000 prayer letters are mailed each year. Two help with the design and purchase of all types of printed promotional materials. Over the years, relationships have been established with a variety of vendors to get the best possible prices.

The cost associated with deputation start-up can be staggering. Each missionary family faces the need for more than $1,000 to design and purchase a presentation, prayer cards, letterhead, brochures and a display. In order to be effective, each piece of the puzzle must be high quality and durable. Good stewardship is a high priority in advising BIMI missionaries in the different methods of promotion available. The goal is to provide missionaries with a customized yet affordable package of materials to help them quickly and efficiently raise support and get to the field of their calling.

In addition to the assistance offered to BIMI missionaries, four staff work together to present the public face of Baptist International Missions, Inc., as an organization. This is done through the publication of BIMI World and the online presence at www.bimi.org.

We want our missionaries to be able to "keep the main thing the main thing" and not be sidetracked by all the necessities associated with raising funds. Our heart is to serve in the areas of our expertise and giftedness to assist in the thrusting forth of laborers into the harvest.



Left to Right: Mark Hutchins (Mail Room); Kevin Wnuk (Computer Services); Ken Catoe (Printing Services); Jerry Dwire (Audio Visual); Kathy Parks (Prayer Letter Service); Jonathan Bergen (Printing Services); Don Arnold (Audio Visual)

Monday, May 21, 2012

John 3:16 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.

J Steve & Nohemy Sidler -  DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Mark A & Linda Sigstad -  NIGERIA
Larry & Phyllis Simensen -  MILITARY - GERMANY