Post by M. Hawbaker on Sept 10, 2021 16:00:59 GMT
The Southern Baptist Convention’s international missions entity announced this week that it will require its missionaries to be vaccinated against COVID-19, saying it is necessary in order to take the gospel around the world during a global pandemic.
The International Mission Board, which has more than 3,600 field personnel, said the new policy will require IMB missionaries and any children ages 16 and over to be vaccinated before attending “field personnel orientation” before serving internationally. Missionaries returning to the U.S. also must be vaccinated prior to attending a “stateside conference.” Attendance at the orientation and the conference is mandatory for missionaries.
Further, IMB staff who interact with missionaries at the orientation and the conference must be vaccinated.
The International Mission Board said a “growing number of the countries” where missionaries serve “are requiring proof of a COVID-19 vaccine to enter, remain in or exit the country.” In some countries, proof of vaccination is required before traveling on a subway or airplane, or even before entering a mall or restaurant, IMB said.
The new policy, the IMB said, is necessary to “maintain access to unreached peoples and places” and to “advance the gospel.”
www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/michael-foust/southern-baptists-to-require-covid-19-vaccine-for-missionaries-in-order-to-advance-the-gospel.html
The International Mission Board, which has more than 3,600 field personnel, said the new policy will require IMB missionaries and any children ages 16 and over to be vaccinated before attending “field personnel orientation” before serving internationally. Missionaries returning to the U.S. also must be vaccinated prior to attending a “stateside conference.” Attendance at the orientation and the conference is mandatory for missionaries.
Further, IMB staff who interact with missionaries at the orientation and the conference must be vaccinated.
The International Mission Board said a “growing number of the countries” where missionaries serve “are requiring proof of a COVID-19 vaccine to enter, remain in or exit the country.” In some countries, proof of vaccination is required before traveling on a subway or airplane, or even before entering a mall or restaurant, IMB said.
The new policy, the IMB said, is necessary to “maintain access to unreached peoples and places” and to “advance the gospel.”
www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/michael-foust/southern-baptists-to-require-covid-19-vaccine-for-missionaries-in-order-to-advance-the-gospel.html
