David Platt has been selected as the new president of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.
I find it important to highlight this breaking news because of the strategic importance of the IMB and because of my respect for David Platt.
If you don’t know about David or the IMB, let me give a brief introduction of my own and then share a few resources to help you get to know the man and the mission.
Brief Introductions
The IMB is “the largest denominational missionary-sending body among American evangelicals”. With nearly 5,000 career missionaries, the mission of the IMB is “to make disciples of all peoples in fulfillment of the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:18-20.”
David Platt (PhD NOBTS) was the Senior Pastor of The Church at Brook Hills in Alabama. He is also a popular author, conference speaker, and rising star in Southern Baptist and evangelical circles.
I’m excited about this decision because I personally know David to be a humble disciple-making disciple. He is an excellent communicator who has a pastor’s heart and a missionary’s zeal.
I happen to believe this was a momentous decision that will make a huge impact on the unreached and unengaged peoples of the world. David’s leadership of the IMB will help ignite a new generation of Great Commission givers and goers. I invite you to pray with me that God will be glorified by this decision.
A Few Resources
IMB.org – The website for the International Mission Board. Here is their official announcement about the decision to select Platt.
David Platt’s Books – David is best known for his book, Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream, but has also written Radical Together and Follow Me along with other titles that he has co-authored.
Radical.net – Sermons and resources from David and the Church at Brook Hills.
Salvation and the Mission of God – A panel discussion with David Platt, Ed Stetzer, Frank Page, and Trevin Wax discussing whether Christians who disagree on the order of salvation or the extent of the atonement, can work together (or not).
