news around the world

IM serves churches, pastors, and people by helping them fulfill their role in establishing churches beyond North America so unreached peoples can know the joy of a relationship with the living God. To find out more about the ministry of IM, visit www.IMINC.org

Portells Move to New Ministry With IM

Antioch, TN—Darren and Dana Portell will join Tyler and Kellie Penn in Champaign, Illinois, ministering to international students.

Darren said, “God has created an opportunity for us to possibly serve four of our Morrison Academy alumni who now attend the University of Illinois. Five hundred of the 12,500 international students at UI are from Taiwan, where we served for the past ten years. We are excited to see how God uses our love and understanding of their country and culture to draw them to Himself.”

“Kellie and I are super excited the Portell family will join us in reaching out to international students at the University of Illinois,” noted Tyler Penn. “Their years of mission work in Taiwan will be a great asset to the ministry to our students. We know the Portells’ experience serving on three continents combined with their heart for the nations will be an enormous benefit to the ministry here.”

The Portells joined IM in 2002 as members of a team working with North Africans in France. They faithfully served until the Lord moved them to Morocco to teach students at George Washington Academy. When God closed that door, He opened one at Morrison Academy in Taiwan. Darren developed the sports program through his athletic director role. Together, the coupled mentored students.

World Missions Offering 2024 Theme Announced

IM recently introduced the 2024 WMO theme: “Embracing the Legacy, Continuing the Mission.”
Throughout the year, IM will take supporters back to when IM missionaries pioneered works around the world. In addition to sharing stories from the past, supporters are invited to continue the mission of IM missionaries and partners as they reach into new areas.

As each person does his or her part by giving to the WMO, the gospel can continue to go forth.

Learn more: www.iminc.org/wmo.

Snapshots Around the World

Bulgaria: Jacob and Hailee Voltz arrived in Bulgaria December 14, 2023. Their daughter Aurora was born February 8 (below).

Japan: The Carneys reached full funding in December and returned to Japan in January.

Panama: The Chame FWB Church in Panama baptized eight people on January 28, using the new pool on the seminary campus (below).

India: Pastor Stanley Rajkumar from South India announced nine people were baptized at Calvary FWB Church in mid-January. February 4, a new church will be started at Ooty in Tamil Nadu province.

Japan: Hope Alive Church (above) in Tokorozawa, Japan, celebrated its fifth anniversary January 21.

Spain: Keren Delgado departed for Spain January 2 to begin her ministry in Villanueva de la Torre.

Panama: The Panamanian National Association met January 13-14 at the Free Will Baptist seminary in Chame. Business, worship, and testimonies filled the time.

France: In southern France, Shane, Joy, and Jacob led and participated in a community Christmas choir December 3 and 10, 2023. More than 700 people heard the choir sing traditional English Christmas carols, and the Good News was shared in both English and French.