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 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Classifieds
  • Free Email Newsletter
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Classifieds
  • Free Email Newsletter

Illinois church provides mentorship, support to persecuted church in South Asia

All the small Illinois church wanted to do was be involved in missions. They prayed about it and prayed some more. Then, they sent two of their own to investigate partnerships with the International Mission Board.
  • July 21, 2025
  • International Mission Board
  • International Mission Board, Latest News
South Asians meet for a training session at night. Believers are excited and emboldened when they learn to share the gospel with others.
IMB photo

Illinois church provides mentorship, support to persecuted church in South Asia

All the small Illinois church wanted to do was be involved in missions. They prayed about it and prayed some more. Then, they sent two of their own to investigate partnerships with the International Mission Board.

When God put this calling on the church three years ago, they never imagined the path they’d walk.

For more stories at your doorstep, subscribe to The Baptist Paper.

SIGN UP for our weekly Highlights emails that hit your inbox on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Persecution is good

That first trip to South Asia felt so unfruitful for the Illinois mission team. Pastor Zach Canders and his youth minister spent time with IMB missionaries to learn how to map and research an area to know more about the community, beliefs and culture.

IMB missionary Kenneth Perdew directed the church team to minister in an area with no gospel presence.  Bringing the gospel where it had not been was their desire, but the team met resistance when they shared. Men bearing sticks asked them to leave or suffer a beating.

Full story.


EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Sue Sprenkle and original 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

  • First person: Preaching through tears
    First person: Preaching through tears
    January 11, 2026/
    0 Comments
  • Lass Words: Technology and the ‘ultimate’ authentic source
    Lass Words: Technology and the ‘ultimate’ authentic source
    January 10, 2026/
    0 Comments
  • Latest news: Stages of a sex crime investigation; church sounds warning to churches on scammers; update on defamation case against SBC
    Latest news: Stages of a sex crime investigation; church sounds warning to churches on scammers; update on defamation case against SBC
    January 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

First person: Preaching through tears

January 11, 2026

With my pastoral duties resuming, I decided to preach through the Old Testament book of Job. What I did not anticipate, however, was the uncontrollable emotion I felt when I opened my Bible and began to speak.

Lass Words: Technology and the ‘ultimate’ authentic source

January 10, 2026

They call my generation Baby Boomers, but when it comes to technology, we should be referred to as the ’Tweener Generation. 

Latest news: Stages of a sex crime investigation; church sounds warning to churches on scammers; update on defamation case against SBC

January 9, 2026

To read a quick recap of some of the latest news reports and other articles from The Baptist Paper this

Nigeria, China, Mexico among top 5 persecutors of Christians on Red List 2026

January 9, 2026

Nigeria, Rwanda, China, Mozambique and Mexico were the most dangerous countries for Christians from 2023-2025 in five distinct categories of persecution, Global Christian Relief (GCR) said in its second annual Red List.

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

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
  • Register for online access
  • 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
  • Register for online access
  • 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
  • Photo Galleries
  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Our Story
  • Our Staff
  • Awards and Recognitions
  • Affiliations
  • Partner Links
  • Advertise
  • Internships
  • Find Churches
  • Classifieds
  • Photo Galleries

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
  • Register for online access
  • 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
  • Register for online access
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage Account | Customer Service

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