Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Alabama Baptist
The Alabama Baptist
  • SBC 2026
  • The Kids Edition
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Classifieds
  • Free Email Newsletter
  • SBC 2026
  • The Kids Edition
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Classifieds
  • Free Email Newsletter

‘Blueprint’ to help NextGen see role in missions

  • May 21, 2026
  • International Mission Board
  • International Mission Board, Latest News
Indian children outside the Taj Mahal in Agra, India.
IMB Photo

‘Blueprint’ to help NextGen see role in missions

The International Mission Board has released “Blueprint: Recognizing God’s Design for His Glory among the Nations,” a new course and companion book for students, young adults and ministry leaders to understand Scripture as one unified story and recognize their role in God’s global mission.

Check out more stories on international missions.

Developed for use in churches, college ministries and small-group discipleship settings, Blueprint offers a guided pathway through the Bible’s overarching narrative, from Genesis to Revelation, helping participants see how God’s redemptive purposes have been unfolding throughout history and continue today. This resource connects biblical theology with practical application, equipping believers to respond faithfully in their everyday lives.

3 central themes

At the heart of Blueprint are three central themes: God’s Mission, God’s Method and God’s Invitation. Together, these themes provide a framework for understanding how God is making Himself known among the nations, how He works through His people, and how every believer is invited to participate in His purposes. Rather than presenting missions as a niche calling for a few, the study emphasizes that God’s mission is foundational to the entire biblical narrative and relevant to every follower of Christ.

Moving beyond knowledge to action

Jennie Hatchel, instructional design manager for the IMB, said the resource was designed with a desire to help participants move beyond knowledge to action.

“I pray that every participant who takes the Blueprint online course or reads the Blueprint book comes away knowing they have a role to play in God’s redemptive mission, not just someday in the future, but right now.” Hatchel said.

The course integrates teaching, Scripture exploration and reflection, giving leaders flexible tools to guide meaningful discussions. Whether used in a classroom, small group or one-on-one setting, Blueprint is designed to meet participants where they are while challenging them to grow in both understanding and obedience.

Practical tools

In addition to its theological foundation, Blueprint provides practical tools to help churches and leaders cultivate a culture of discipleship and mission engagement. The course includes video lessons, interactive content, leader guides and resources that encourage participants to think critically about how the gospel shapes their priorities, relationships and sense of purpose.

Andy Pettigrew, director of NextGen engagement for the IMB, said the release of Blueprint comes at a significant moment for the next generation.

“I’m thrilled to see the launch of this important resource for individuals and churches,” Pettigrew said. “Blueprint meets a critical moment where students and young adults are asking deeper questions about purpose, identity and impact. We hope this resource helps anchor those questions in a biblical vision of God’s mission.”

Calling for a response

Pettigrew emphasized that the resource not only builds understanding but also calls for a response.

“My hope is that participants walk away with a clear and compelling understanding that God’s mission is central to the Bible, the church is His primary means, and they have a meaningful role to play in the Great Commission,” he said. “Blueprint equips churches and leaders with a framework to disciple the next generation toward a faithful, God-centered understanding of mission that leads to long-term engagement in carrying out a vision to see every nation and all peoples worshiping Christ.”

By combining biblical teaching with practical application, Blueprint seeks to bridge the gap between learning and living. It invites participants to see their daily lives, whether in their neighborhoods, campuses or workplaces, as opportunities to live on mission while also considering how they might engage in God’s work among the nations.

IMB leadership hopes the resource will serve as a catalyst for churches to invest intentionally in developing missions-minded disciples who understand both the urgency and the privilege of participating in God’s global purposes.

“Blueprint: Recognizing God’s Design for His Glory among the Nations” is available now.

  • Order the book and access course materials at the Blueprint resource page, click here.
  • Learn more about IMB resources, click here.

Excerpt from Blueprint: Recognizing God’s Design for His Glory among the Nations 

A blueprint is a plan or design that shows how something is meant to be completed — like a map for building a house or a guide for putting together a big project. We’ve called this book Blueprint because we hope it will help you see God’s plan for the world and your place in it.

This book includes three main sections on God’s Mission, God’s Method, and God’s Invitation. In those chapters, we’ll also address the following questions:

  • What is the story of the Bible?
  • Are there still people who haven’t heard the message of the gospel?
  • How does God use His people to accomplish His purposes?

These questions are essential to our understanding of missions. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible reveals one unified narrative: the mission of God to make Himself known among all peoples. This is not a subplot or secondary theme — it is the very heartbeat of Scripture. God, in His sovereign love, is actively working to redeem a multitude for Himself from every nation, tribe, people, and language (Revelation 7:9–10).

Yet, the task remains unfinished. Today, over 7,000 people groups around the world are considered unreached, meaning they have little to no access to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many have no local churches, no Scripture in their language, and no known believers among them. But they are not forgotten by God. He is pursuing them even now.

Throughout history, God has chosen to work through ordinary men and women, calling each of them to participate in His global purpose to reach the lost. And He is still inviting His people to join His mission today.

We hope Blueprint will help you better understand God’s mission biblically, globally, and personally. After we trace the storyline of Scripture and examine how God is working across the world today, you will have the opportunity to respond in obedience to His invitation.

Because Christ is worthy and the world is waiting.


EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Jaclyn Mains and originally published by the International Mission Board.

Share with others:

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on email
Email
Facebook
X/Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • IMB’s missionary pipeline ‘exploding,’ Chitwood tells SBC messengers as they celebrate 63 new missionaries
    IMB’s missionary pipeline ‘exploding,’ Chitwood tells SBC messengers as they celebrate 63 new missionaries
    June 9, 2026/
    0 Comments
  • Pastors’ wives event highlights sharing Christ through everyday hospitality
    Pastors’ wives event highlights sharing Christ through everyday hospitality
    June 9, 2026/
    0 Comments
  • IMB leaders highlight ‘Day in the life’ to show importance of sustained missionary presence
    IMB leaders highlight ‘Day in the life’ to show importance of sustained missionary presence
    June 9, 2026/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

IMB’s missionary pipeline ‘exploding,’ Chitwood tells SBC messengers as they celebrate 63 new missionaries

June 9, 2026

Southern Baptists celebrated 63 new International Mission Board missionaries during the June 9 opening session of the SBC annual meeting in Orlando.

Pastors’ wives event highlights sharing Christ through everyday hospitality

June 9, 2026

A simple invitation for community over a shared meal is the most genuine approach for sharing the hope of Jesus, Amy Hannon said during an emphasis on biblical hospitality at the Pastors’ Wives and Women in Ministry Conference June 8.

IMB leaders highlight ‘Day in the life’ to show importance of sustained missionary presence

June 9, 2026

International Mission Board missionaries and staff mingled with participants, as close to 2,000 people filled tables at the IMB dinner Monday, June 8. The event was held in conjunction with the SBC annual meeting in Orlando.

First person: Prepping for Mohler’s motion with a shared moment

June 8, 2026

If messengers do allow the rules to be suspended and a vote taken during this year’s annual meeting, then a marked ballot vote for precise calculation would be best — and I’m appreciative of that reportedly having already been considered.

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Our Story
  • Our Staff
  • Awards and Recognitions
  • Affiliations
  • Partner Links
  • Advertise
  • Internships
  • Find Churches
  • Classifieds
  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Our Story
  • Our Staff
  • Awards and Recognitions
  • Affiliations
  • Partner Links
  • Advertise
  • Internships
  • Find Churches
  • Classifieds

Explore

  • Latest News
  • Archive
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Editorials
  • Alabama News
  • Podcasts
  • Obituaries
  • Theology 101
  • Someone You Should Know
  • Rashional Thoughts
  • Persecuted Church
  • Heroes of the Faith
  • Reader Response
  • Videos
  • Latest News
  • Archive
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Editorials
  • Alabama News
  • Podcasts
  • Obituaries
  • Theology 101
  • Someone You Should Know
  • Rashional Thoughts
  • Persecuted Church
  • Heroes of the Faith
  • Reader Response
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story Ideas
  • Staff Change or News Item
  • Letter to the Editor
  • Reader Submissions
  • What Are You Reading?
  • Obituary
  • Correction / Clarification
  • Submission Policy
  • Story Ideas
  • Staff Change or News Item
  • Letter to the Editor
  • Reader Submissions
  • What Are You Reading?
  • Obituary
  • Correction / Clarification
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Start a new subscription
  • Renew your subscription
  • Start a new gift subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Subscribe to the TAB News app
  • Update your subscriber list
  • Subscribe to Highlights
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage Account | Customer Service
  • Start a new subscription
  • Renew your subscription
  • Start a new gift subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Subscribe to the TAB News app
  • Update your subscriber list
  • Subscribe to Highlights
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage Account | Customer Service
The Alabama Baptist

Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209

Copyright © 2026 The Alabama Baptist, Inc.
  • Privacy Policy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy Policy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thealabamabaptist.org

About

  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Our Story
  • Our Staff
  • Awards and Recognitions
  • Affiliations
  • Partner Links
  • Advertise
  • Internships
  • Find Churches
  • Classifieds
  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Our Story
  • Our Staff
  • Awards and Recognitions
  • Affiliations
  • Partner Links
  • Advertise
  • Internships
  • Find Churches
  • Classifieds

Explore

  • Latest News
  • Archive
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Editorials
  • Alabama News
  • Podcasts
  • Obituaries
  • Theology 101
  • Someone You Should Know
  • Rashional Thoughts
  • Persecuted Church
  • Heroes of the Faith
  • Reader Response
  • Videos
  • Latest News
  • Archive
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Editorials
  • Alabama News
  • Podcasts
  • Obituaries
  • Theology 101
  • Someone You Should Know
  • Rashional Thoughts
  • Persecuted Church
  • Heroes of the Faith
  • Reader Response
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story Ideas
  • Staff Change or News Item
  • Letter to the Editor
  • Reader Submissions
  • What Are You Reading?
  • Obituary
  • Correction / Clarification
  • Submission Policy
  • Story Ideas
  • Staff Change or News Item
  • Letter to the Editor
  • Reader Submissions
  • What Are You Reading?
  • Obituary
  • Correction / Clarification
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Start a new subscription
  • Renew your subscription
  • Start a new gift subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Subscribe to the TAB News app
  • Update your subscriber list
  • Subscribe to Highlights
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage Account | Customer Service
  • Start a new subscription
  • Renew your subscription
  • Start a new gift subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Subscribe to the TAB News app
  • Update your subscriber list
  • Subscribe to Highlights
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage Account | Customer Service

Our mission is to serve the Church through trustworthy journalism.

As a nonprofit Christian news ministry, we seek to provide grace-filled, trustworthy reporting from a Christian worldview while keeping our content freely accessible online.

Support from readers and ministry partners allows us to continue equipping churches, informing individuals, and providing ministry resources at affordable rates. Would you prayerfully consider supporting this work?

Support Our Ministry

Log In

Lost your password?

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel