Spotlight Update

Pray for continued perseverance, patience, and faithfulness as Stephen and Lyn Allwood invest in local partners and churches, encouraging and equipping these brothers and sisters in the work of advancing God’s kingdom.

Appalachia suffered incredible cold and unusual amounts of ice mixed with snow during January 2026. Rob Allen, director of the Send Relief ministry center in Ashland, Kentucky, said the severe winter weather increased the challenge of navigating and meeting community needs.

International Mission Board missionaries Josh and Jessica Cobb have returned to London after a 6-month sabbatical stateside. The joy of sharing the gospel and witnessing God’s power to set people who are living with mental health challenges and addictions free summons them to service.

David Carey, a North American Mission Board–endorsed hospice chaplain in Maine, has a new role as bereavement coordinator. In this position, he works remotely from home and is responsible for ministry to the bereaved through three offices under Beacon Amedisys Hospice.

Harrison Martin continues to see the Lord work in encouraging ways in this service as a nurse practitioner in Eastern Europe. Individuals have professed faith due to outreach through clinics, and Harrison praises God that His kingdom is growing.

It’s been two years since a wildfire on the island of Maui in Hawaii claimed 102 lives, destroyed thousands of structures, and devastated the town and community. But through the tribulation, God’s love and faithfulness has continued to be evident to North American Mission Board church planter Erik Naylor and his wife, Danni.

Connecting churches to ministry opportunities along the United States/Mexico border is Osvaldo Lerma’s goal as the director of Send Relief’s Laredo ministry center in Laredo, Texas.

After nearly 20 years of service on the missions field, Carlos and Lily Llambés are retiring from active service with the International Mission Board (IMB). Their final day with IMB is August 2. In celebration of their service, they, along with more than 60 other honorees, were named IMB emeriti at a recent ceremony organized by IMB.

Pat and Renee Alphin are gearing up for the 2025 Cody Nite Rodeo, an annual rodeo held in the Rodeo Capital of the World—Cody, Wyoming—that will take place June 1 through August 31. God uses Pat’s gift of gab and his passion and expertise as a retired rodeo competitor and Renee’s rider videos to share the gospel.

Over the last year, through digital engagement strategies, 200 people have expressed a desire to meet Christians in person and learn more about following Jesus. These seekers came out of the 11,000 spiritual conversations digital responders had with those who engaged with the paid gospel advertisements International Mission Board missionaries Adam and Millie Johnson and their team published on social media.

Will Murphy, fire chaplain with Largo Fire Rescue in Seminole, Florida, praises God as two new chaplains, retired first responders Dan and John, join the chaplaincy ministry, enriching its mission.

Leah Kennedy’s family is currently retired from full-time service with the International Mission Board (IMB). Her parents served the Lord through IMB faithfully for 25 years both in Brazil and in Germ