'Recognising hard work, sacrifice and seeking God' 

Those who had transferred as Fully Accredited Ministers, Pastors, Preachers and Mission Personnel during the past year were welcomed, commissioned and prayed for in a 'powerful' and 'precious' celebration service on Saturday night at the Baptist Assembly

'I always think of this as a holy ground moment,' said General Secretary Lynn Green.

'This is a special opportunity for us to gather together to bless those who have recently transferred to the accredited list. 

'It represents years of hard work and sacrifice and seeking God, and it's a very special time tonight to recognise that.

'We want to welcome them commission and pray for them.'

Each of those being recognised had prepared a short video and this is both a wonderful way to get to know them and inform our prayers for them,' said Lynn.

Lynn added that the promises spoken by all the candidates during the commissioning service also represented an opportunity for 'each one of us to rededicate our lives to Christ.'

The candidates were called to the front of the stage by Association. 

Once gathered, new President Tim Presswood led the act of commissioning, before praying for them. 

Following this, they each received a handshake from Lynn, BMS World Mission General Director Kong San Tan, and Tim while delegates sang The Blessing over them. It was later described by many as 'powerful', 'precious' and 'beautiful'. 




There were no BMS World Mission personnel on stage, and just prior to the commissioning General Director Kang-San Tan explained why.

BMS continues its journey away from being 'purely a sending agency for UK mission workers, and towards a catalyst for transnational mission movements which are increasingly centred and staffed in the global south.'

'We re-affirm our commitment to the great commission! To go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the father son and Holy Spirit.

'We rejoice that this is a call for people from all nations, to go to all nations. Today, for every one mission worker that BMS has sent from the UK, there are seven workers from around the world who have responded to God’s call in a similar way, and are being supported by you; our family of UK churches.'

As he was speaking, some of the names local mission workers were displayed on screen. 

'This is God’s global mission and we celebrate and give thanks for these incredible sisters and brothers in Christ, from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe,' said Kan-San.

'They may not be with us in person, but we want to acknowledge and commission them today, to pray for them, and to ask that the holy spirit would fill them as they take forward the call to reach the nations with the good news of Jesus Christ. 

'Mission is changing. Through this growing global mission community, we are seeing the gospel spread in ways not seen before, and in places it's never taken root before.'    

More commissioning photos can be found in our Flickr album