By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
ORLANDO, Fla. (LBM) – The International Mission Board appointed 63 new missionaries in a sending celebration, including five from Louisiana.
Among those were Justin and Meredith Sassard, whose sending church is Harvest Church, New Orleans. The names of three others from Louisiana could not be published because of security concerns.
During a time of testimony, the Sassards shared that they met while serving as journeymen with the IMB three years ago. They then moved to New Orleans for Justin Sassard to attend seminary at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and joined Harvest Church in the city.
“Our call to missions comes out of biblical preaching and discipleship within the churches we grew up in,” Meredith Sassard said. “Our love for the church grew overseas and while in New Orleans for seminary, our church in New Orleans, Harvest Church, is sending us out, and they are here with us today.”
Justin Sassard added: “We desire to go to Spain to plant and strengthen churches in a place where there are so few biblical churches. Please pray for us as we make this transition.”
Andrew Hanna, pastor with Harvest Church, expressed his appreciation for the Sassards. During their time at the New Orleans church plant, Justin Sassard served as a small group leader and completed the Shepherd’s Institute, the church’s leadership track for those who desire to pastor or be sent out as a missionary. Meredith Sassard has been a teacher in the Phoebe Track, the church’s leadership development track for women.
“We couldn’t be happier to send Justin and Meredith Sassard,” Hanna told the Baptist Message. “We’ve prayed that God would give us the opportunity to send our best and the Sassards are some of the best, most faithful members of Harvest. They love the church, they love the lost and most importantly they love Jesus.”
IMB President Paul Chitwood said now is the call for more Southern Baptists to answer God’s call to the nations.
“We thank God for those who have answered that call who we send out today, and we are thrilled to introduce them to you this morning as your newest Southern Baptist missionaries,” he said during the sending celebration. “They have completed the appointment process, having displayed a deep and abiding love for God, for God’s word and for a lost world.
“They have affirmed that the Baptist Faith and Message as their faith and message,” he continued. “They understand and can clearly communicate the gospel. They are of sound doctrine. They are committed members of local Southern Baptist churches. They have heard and answered God’s call to go to the nations. They are your missionaries.”
