In international missions there is a region stretching from North Africa through the Middle East and into Asia called the 10/40 Window where most unreached people groups reside. One of the main hurdles preventing the Gospel from reaching the unreached is translating the Word into their native tongue. With advancements in technology, this hurdle is
getting smaller.
“We have some incredible digital engagement strategies at the International Mission Board (IMB) that allow us to find those people who are searching and get in chats that we can’t get in real life,” said Jacob Boss, IMB vice president of global engagement. “They have phones in their hand where we can get them some form of the Gospel they are able to understand, even in their heart language.”
In February, Boss was as elected as vice president of global engagement at IMB. Before that, he and Elisabeth, his wife, had been serving both at home and abroad. They started their missions work in South Asia where they served for several years and saw “God do some amazing things.” In 2017, they began serving in London, England. They also served in other cities around the world and by mid-2019 they began to lead the work among European peoples.
“The reach Southern Baptists have globally is amazing,” Jacob said. “We have come together to cooperate and to get the Gospel to the ends of the Earth.”
Every day there are news stories highlighting the evil in the world, but through their work the Bosses have been able to see the only headlines that matter: the work God has been doing in the hearts of people.
“You know, I realize that there’s one narrative about some countries that’s true politically, but there’s another narrative out there about what God is doing,” Jacob said. “It just reminds me that God is so far ahead of all of this, that He’s establishing His church in some of these harder places. It’s just awesome and an encouragement to others as we engage and read some of these public headlines that can be discouraging at times.”
As with most missionaries, their journey was not an easy one. Before they walked it, the Boss’ path was not a clear one. Each step they took was taken in faith that God would provide what’s best for them and their encouragement as they walked their path was God’s Word.
“I would say that at every marker [God] asked for our yes,” Elisabeth said. “Sometimes, we’ve given it willingly with open hands, and sometimes we’ve given it less-willingly. But in every step, He has placed the opportunity before us, and then we’ve been able to be willing to say, ‘Yes, we’re going to move into whatever He’s leading us into.’”
Through their journey, the Bosses confidence and faith in God have grown. Because of that, their confidence in their new role is high.
“It’s been amazing to look back and just see how faithful He’s been to us, even though it’s not been easy,” Jacob said.
Since the world is more connected than ever, the ability to spread the Gospel is becoming easier. According to Jacob, most stats say that 65 percent of the church is outside of the US and Europe. The IMB has had the privilege of helping to establish the strength of the church around the world and on the Internet.
“More and more people are searching for Jesus online,” Jacob said.
With this, the next generation of missionaries and church leaders are starting to emerge.
“We are seeing the new generation, Gen Z, get excited about the Gospel and they understand this world even better than I do as an older millennial,” Jacob said. “Learning from them about their generation and how they’re engaging via online and other means is exciting.”
According to the IMB, there are about 3,070 unengaged unreached people groups. That means that they are below 2 percent evangelical and most likely don’t have a church, or a healthy church, they can engage with.
The Bosses and the IMB work every day to reach those who are in that category. With modern technology and a network of dedicated missionaries, they can bring the Gospel to those who might have otherwise never heard the Gospel before.
