Zambia Hunt

A Personal Reflection on IBMGlobal’s Foundation and Growth

Thirty years ago, a vision was born out of a passion for missions and the local church’s role in that mission. As IBMGlobal celebrates this milestone anniversary, I’m honored to reflect on the journey from those early startup days to the thriving, maturing organization we see today.

The Foundation: A Vision for Church-Centered Missions

When Pastor Larry first shared his vision of a mission agency that would be genuinely locally church-based, it resonated deeply with me. Having served with a mission agency for 20 years, I witnessed firsthand the tension that often exists between para-church mission agencies and local churches. Too often mission agencies, while giving lip service to church authority, actually position themselves as the final authority over missionaries, viewing themselves as the experts while local churches become complicit in this unbiblical takeover.

The Independent Baptist Mission’s founding charter was to serve missionaries raised and sent from Merrimack Valley Baptist Church, and they did that from 1995 with six families. This small church-based effort provided a natural foundation for something different. This was an opportunity to develop a mission agency with a genuine heart for the centrality of the local church. We made the decision to transition from Independent Faith Mission in October 2009 and joined IBMGlobal in January 2010.

Building Something Different

In 2010, Pastor Larry invited me to serve alongside him as assistant director of this fledgling mission. Initially informal, this role was later officially recognized by our board members. My responsibilities were primarily field-based, working closely with Pastor Larry and our office staff to create the vision, values, mission, and founding philosophy that would distinguish IBMGlobal.

During this crucial period, we launched our first website and Facebook page, and I had the privilege of organizing and running our annual candidate training classes. But more than logistics, we were laying the philosophical groundwork for what would make IBMGlobal distinct among existing mission agencies.

The overarching principle was simple: to create a mission agency that didn’t just talk about serving the local church but actually did it, facilitating churches’ efforts to raise and send missionaries worldwide rather than competing with or controlling them.

We were also deeply concerned about the spirit of competition that plagued missions. As a missionary “on the circuit,” I had felt the unhealthy competition between agencies, competing for missionaries, and later the spirit of competition that often exists on the field. IBMGlobal was formed to have nothing to do with that mindset. We sought to develop an agency that collaborates with others of like faith, recognizing that the mission is God’s and that ministry belongs to the Lord, not to us.

Governance with Purpose

When asked to join IBMGlobal’s board of directors in those early startup days, I saw it as an opportunity to help establish something lasting. A board owns the responsibility for an organization, ensuring that policies align with mission and vision, and carefully evaluating missionaries under consideration. It was an honor to serve as a voice for our founding vision and mission.

I’m particularly glad that we have a healthy, mature board and an executive team that grasps the mission of the church and understands how an organization like IBMGlobal fits into that biblical purpose.

Milestones and Momentum

Watching IBMGlobal grow from a local church mission with six missionaries to a full-service agency has been remarkable. Key milestones include the opening of our first staffed office, the organization of comprehensive structures to facilitate missionary receipts and expenses, and the development of a thorough missionary orientation process.

The ministry team at our office has grown tremendously in competency, vision, and the number of partners serving together. Each expansion has strengthened our ability to serve local churches effectively.

The last five years have been especially encouraging. The appointment of Jamie Smith as president has been transformational. We’ve transitioned from our initial startup phase to a well-organized agency, rapidly approaching organizational maturity. Jamie is building an excellent board of directors and expanding the leadership team with like-minded missiologists who share our philosophy.

Growth brings both changes and challenges, but I’m deeply encouraged by what’s happening and see the clear hand of God upon this work. I honestly believe IBMGlobal’s most fruitful days still lie ahead.

Looking Forward

As I look to IBMGlobal’s future, several things particularly excite me:

First, I’m eager to see our philosophy and purpose demonstrate expanded influence among local churches. I want to see pastors encouraged and equipped to lead their churches into healthy missions partnerships based on solid missions theology and philosophy. IBM Global is uniquely positioned to come alongside churches that desire to grow in this crucial area.

Second, I’m excited about IBMGlobal’s role in encouraging local churches to be intentional about raising up missionaries from their own congregations and then sending them out. When churches are ready to take this step, IBMGlobal will be there, ready to serve them in healthy, biblical ways.

A Legacy of Faithfulness

As we celebrate 30 years of God’s faithfulness through IBMGlobal, I’m struck by how He has used this organization to demonstrate that mission agencies can truly serve local churches rather than compete with or control them. The vision that seemed so clear yet challenging three decades ago has become a reality that encourages churches worldwide.

The journey from those early days of crafting vision statements and launching websites to today’s mature, globally-impacting mission agency reminds us that when we align our efforts with God’s heart for His church, He multiplies our faithfulness beyond what we could ask or imagine.

May God bless IBMGlobal in the next chapter as it continue to serve local churches with excellence, facilitate the Great Commission with integrity, and demonstrate that the best missions work happens when agencies serve churches who partner together under the lordship of Christ.

Soli Deo Gloria