Vince Lombardi, Hall of Fame coach for the Green Bay Packers, once said, “If it doesn’t matter who wins or loses, then why do they keep score?”

While chasing after the souls of men, women and children all over the world is not a sport, we can clearly see some common elements…we are better when working as a team…we receive our motivation and instructions from an ultimate authoritative figure…the more blood, sweat and tears that go into the preparation, the greater potential for success…as a team, the agony of defeat is lessened, while the thrill of victory is multiplied…we come together to fight a common enemy (Ephesians 6:12)…and, we have a great “cloud of witnesses” cheering us on!

The beginning of each year gives us a unique opportunity to look at the scoreboard for the previous year and take stock in what God is doing through our team all around the world.  Following are the BBFI Missionary Team statistics for 2018:

• Professions of Faith                            121,001
• Baptisms                                                  14,710
• Leaders in Training                                12,219
• New Missions or Bible Studies              1,073
• Churches Organized                                   108

**Missionaries received $35,284,547 in support processed by the Mission Office during 2018.

These numbers bring me great joy in knowing that God is still doing great things through our team, and an even greater hope for the future.  I consider it an honor to be fighting alongside so many great faithful servants.  I conclude with another quote from Coach Lombardi that I think aptly describes so many of my fellow teammates in the field:

“…. I firmly believe that any man’s finest hours – his greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear – is that moment when he has worked his heart out in good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle – victorious.”