The orchestra accompanied the 300-voice choir as 50 newly appointed International Mission Board (IMB) missionaries walked the aisle of First Baptist Church, Springdale, Ark., Sept. 8.
Among the appointees were Hartselle’s Steve and Connie Pearson, whose participation in the recognition ceremony was the first step in embarking on a new chapter in their lives.
The Alabama natives have joined more than 5,300 Southern Baptist IMB workers sharing Christ among 1,497 people groups.
The Pearsons, who are in their 50s, left well established careers in veterinary medicine and education to become IMB missionaries to Ecuador. With the appointment, the Decatur Central Baptist Church members join a growing number of people who are called into service after establishing successful secular careers.
According to IMB President Jerry Rankin, today’s missionaries are not all young seminary graduates, but are coming from many walks of life.
“It’s exciting to see people like Steve and Connie leaving their profession and practice, very successful, but with a heart for the lost world,” Rankin said.
Connie drew up in a household dedicated to Christian service. Daughter of Tom Collier, retired executive director of Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries, she had a GA leader who challenged her toward missions.
Later, as a young mother, she yearned for the missions field, but the time was not right.
“When the speakers would come to the church for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, I would cry and think, ‘Why can’t I go to the missions field?’” she confessed.
Being a young veterinarian establishing a practice, Steve was a little slower to hear the call. “A missions trip to Brazil changed our lives,” Steve said.
Six more volunteer missions trips followed, and each one led the pair more clearly into missions.
Then the Pearsons learned about the missionary associate program, which has a higher age limit and has four-year, renewable terms. “Now the door was open,” related Steve.
The Pearsons will minister among Quichua farmers in Ecuador. Steve will serve as a rural veterinarian and church planter. They will use chronological Bible storying, life skills and music to impact the people. Steve will be the first full-time IMB veterinarian in Ecuador. He expects to use veterinary medicine to plant churches among the Quichua people, while Connie serves as coordinator for the volunteers who come to work in the Cuenca area.
Embarking on a new venture such as learning two new languages is a little intimidating, but the Pearsons are confident their life experience will prove valuable as they face the challenges ahead.
As excited as the couple are about fulfilling the Lord’s call, leaving family and friends is not easy. “The heart-tug is the granddaughter, but the kids are very supportive,” said Connie.
In addition to Decatur First Baptist, the Pearsons consider First Baptist Church, Hartselle, and First Baptist Church, Troy influential, in their lives. (IMB contributed)
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