A B O U T
"The World Mission Service Center is the bridge between those who give and those who go."
EVANGELISM | DISCIPLESHIP | CHURCH PLANTING
4000+
U.S. CHURCHES
700+
MISSIONARIES
80+
NATIONS
The BBFI Mission Office is the bridge between those who give and those who go. We serve over 4,000 U.S. churches and over 700 missionaries in 80 nations around the world. The Mission Office strives for professionalism and integrity through stewardship to God in all its dealings, particularly with His chosen servants, the missionaries and pastors we passionately serve. The Mission Office ensures missionaries are prepared educationally, trained practically throughout the internship process and equipped through pre-field training with ongoing support and services.
D I R E C T O R S
Jon Konnerup
BBFI Mission Director
Jon Konnerup was born in Ethiopia. His parents, Richard & Jeannine Konnerup, were missionaries in Ethiopia and then in Kenya. Jon is a graduate of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. In 1986 he began his internship at Heritage Baptist Church in Georgetown, Texas. Jon and Pam were approved as BBFI missionaries in May 1987 to Kenya. The Konnerups served in Kenya until he became an Associate Mission Director for the Baptist Bible Fellowship International in July 1998. He was appointed Mission Director in May 2005. His responsibilities include working with nearly 4,000 pastors in the United States, 800 missionaries in 94 countries, and overseeing a staff of 20 at the Mission Office in Springfield, Missouri.
Steve Bender
Associate Mission Director
Steve Bender is a 1982 graduate of Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College of San Dimas, California. He served as Missions Intern at Grayson Bible Baptist Church in Sherman, Texas. Steve & Jenell were approved as BBFI missionaries to Korea in September 1983. The Benders arrived in Korea September 17, 1984 and served as BBFI missionaries until April 1998 at which time God moved them to Springdale, Arkansas. In Springdale, Steve served as associate pastor at Temple Baptist Church until moving to Springfield, Missouri and becoming Associate Mission Director for the Baptist Bible Fellowship International in August 2000. Steve’s main responsibility is missionary care.
Brian Garrison
Associate Mission Director
Brian is a 1994 graduate of Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO, where he met his wife Mychelle. After earning a Masters Degree at Dallas Theological Seminary in 1997, Brian and Mychelle began an internship at First Baptist Church in Vilonia, Arkansas. The Garrisons were approved as BBFI missionaries to Peru in September, 2001. They began serving God in Peru in April, 2003, and enjoyed a very fruitful ministry for more than 9 years. Serious health issues took Brian and Mychelle off the field in 2012. Brian worked in the Financial Services industry for five years prior to coming to the Mission Office. This has served him well in his position as Finance Director. Brian is also the Director of the World Initiative Network.
Craig Stevenson
Associate Mission Director
Craig Stevenson is a 2003 graduate of Louisiana Baptist University in Shreveport, LA. He is a missionary kid, former missionary to Romania and has served as a Youth Pastor, Family Pastor and Executive Pastor in four churches in the US over the past 18 years. During this time, he has amassed over 1,500 hours of specialized training in over 50 areas pertaining to church ministry. Craig and Lindsey have been married since 2003 and have three children, Canyon, Hunter and Nicole. Craig’s main responsibility centers around a new program called Beyond Borders. This program has three areas…events, resources and short-term mission opportunities.
Click the email icon above to schedule a director to speak at your church, missions conference, or event.
The Baptist Bible Fellowship approves CHURCH PLANTING missionaries. The Commission under which local Baptist churches operate is very clear; soul winning should result in the establishment of local Baptist churches.
The Baptist Bible Fellowship believes strongly in the indigenous church principle. Every church established by a BBFI missionary should one day be:
- SELF-GOVERNING, they should have a national pastor.
- SELF-PROPAGATING, they should reproduce other local churches.
- SELF-SUPPORTING, they should be able to operate without the need of outside financial income and support
The Baptist Bible Fellowship has established stringent approval requirements in order to present missionaries who are well educated, practically experienced and spiritually mature to the churches.
The Baptist Bible Fellowship offers an opportunity to voluntarily work together with sister churches in a mutual effort WITHOUT ecclesiastical control. We are a fellowship, not a denomination. There is nothing for the local church to join.
As Bible-Believing Baptists, we hold the following doctrinal truths:
A Perfect Bible
We believe in divine inerrancy and infallibility of the sixty-six books of the Bible. It is in fact, the very Word of God.
A Perfect Savior
We believe that God the Son incarnated Himself in a perfect human body, lived a sinless life and died a substitutionary death. We believe that Jesus Christ is the ONLY Savior of lost mankind.
A Physical Resurrection Of Jesus Christ
We believe He arose bodily from the grave where His body had remained three days and nights. We believe He arose a victor over death, Hell and the grave.
A Personal Salvation
We believe that all men are sinners and therefore stand guilty before God. Only through personal repentance and faith can a person receive Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord.
A Particular, Local Church
We believe that Jesus Christ established His church during His earthly ministry. We believe it to be an assembly of baptized believers united by a common statement of faith. We believe that its ordinances are two, Baptism of believers by immersion only and the Lord’s Supper.
A Program Of Worldwide Missions
We believe that Jesus Christ commanded His church to go into all the world, preach the Gospel, baptize converts and organize them into local congregations. We believe that this program is to be the heartbeat of the church which He established.
The Preservation Of The Saved
We believe Jesus Christ keeps those who by faith receive Him as their Savior.
The Premillennial, Personal Return Of Christ
We believe He will return first in the air for His saints and then to the earth with His saints. When He returns, He will set up a literal millennial kingdom on earth.
The Priesthood Of All Believers
We believe that every believer has access directly to the Father without the aid of an earthly priest.
W H Y B B F I M I S S I O N S ?
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can I talk with about missionary service?
Contact the office at 417.862.5001 or email via applications@bbfimissions.com. We can answer your questions or set up an appointment for you. You are not making any commitments for service by contacting our office.
How long does it take to go through the application process?
Candidates work with the Mission Office to help establish where they are in the preparation process. Providing all of the qualifications are met, the application process can take as little as six months. This includes completion of application paperwork, health requirements, approval at a National Fellowship Meeting and attending the Deputation phase of Advanced Mission Training.
Most pastors appreciate the process our missionaries go through to become partners with the churches of the BBFI. The process assures the supporting pastor that the missionaries have met certain doctrinal, educational, practical and health requirements.
Do I have to raise my own support?
The BBFI believes missionaries and the local church work hand-in-hand. Because of this, a missionary and his family raise their support from local churches. It takes an average of approximately two years for missionaries to raise support.
The BBFI Mission Office does not charge the approved missionaries for handling their contributions. The missionaries receive 100 percent of every dollar that is designated for them.
Can I participate in the Intern Missionary Program and then seek Career approval?
Yes, providing all other requirements for Career approval are met and a favorable recommendation is received from the host missionary.
How often is Advanced Mission Training held and is it required?
Advanced Mission Training is held the second full week of July each year at the BBFI Mission Office in Springfield, Missouri.
Career Candidates attend the Deputation phase of Advanced Mission Training the year of their approval and attend the Pre-Field phase the following year.
Intern Missionaries attend Advanced Mission Training in the calendar year in which they are recognized.
Advanced Mission Training is required for all those seeking approval or recognition.
How often are missionaries approved or recognized?
Intern Missionary Program recognition and Career Missionary approvals take place twice a year at BBFI National Fellowship Meetings. May approvals take place on the campus of Baptist Bible College during their May Graduation Fellowship. September approvals take place at a different location each year depending upon which church is hosting the September meeting.
How can I prepare for future missionary service?
Be sure to discuss your preparations with your pastor. You can then begin discussing your plans with the Mission Office.
Education: If needed, begin working on your college requirements.
Internship: If needed, begin seeking a place where you can learn the basics of ministry alongside an experienced pastor or missionary. Please feel free to call the Mission Office for information on churches looking for interns.
Stewardship: Be a good steward of your financial resources. There is a debt limit.
Physical Health: Live a healthy lifestyle. There are physical requirements to meet for approval/recognition.
If I am not a U.S. citizen, can I apply for missionary service with the BBFI?
Applications for Career missions can only be taken from U.S. citizens (by birth or naturalized citizens). Applicants must be a current, active member of a BBFI-affiliated church located in the U.S. We encourage Christians from other nations to seek available opportunities to serve through their local church or with a mission agency in their own country.
What are the education requirements?
Career missionaries are required to be high school graduates or equivalent and to be college graduates with at least 18 credit hours of mission courses from a full membership and/or approved school. A minimum of 18 credit hours of mission courses from another training institution may be accepted by the Mission Field Committee after approval by the Mission Office on an individual basis. Educational requirements are for both spouses. Five years experience as a pastor and pastor’s wife within the Baptist Bible Fellowship may be considered the equivalent of the educational and internship requirements for approval as Baptist Bible Fellowship International missionaries.
Participants of the Intern Missionary Program must meet all educational requirements for career missionary approval.
What are the medical requirements?
There are two primary issues that are considered regarding medical issues. First, does the applicant or applicant’s family member have wellness issues that would make it difficult for them or their family member to live and function in another country?
Secondly, is there adequate medical care available for the applicant or family member in the country of their choice?
Basic medical tests are required for Career applicants and their families.
What are the debt limitations?
Missionary personnel receive adequate but limited support. Debt places a significant burden on the missionary. Personal debt will be discussed on an individual basis. Unsecured debt should be minimal as determined by the Mission Office. Applicants are encouraged to seek the counsel of their sending pastor and the Mission Office about this issue.
Do I have to be a member of a BBFI-affiliated church for a certain amount of time?
The BBFI Mission Office administrates the policies determined by the pastors of the BBFI. We recognize each sending church as the missionary’s final authority and the biblical sending agency. It would be up to the individual church to determine specific requirements for the missionaries, including how long one would need to be a member of the church before sending him or her as a missionary.
Can single men or women be approved/recognized?
Yes, single men and women can participate in both Career and the Intern Missionary Program.
What if my spouse is not sure about his/her call?
The BBFI approves and/or recognizes both husbands and wives as missionaries and assumes both are able to articulate a definite call to missionary service. If your spouse is not comfortable with applying for service, then you would want to wait and make this a matter of prayer. It is not recommended that you put pressure on your spouse to make a decision regarding missions. God will make Himself clear to both you and your spouse and show you what you should do. You should also speak with your pastor regarding how you feel God is working in your life.
What is the role of the missionary wife?
When couples are approved as Career missionaries or recognized as part of the Intern Missionary Program, both the husband and wife are required to meet the necessary qualifications to be considered fully qualified missionaries. It is assumed that both the husband and wife will express a clear call to missionary service. The wife’s first role is to her husband. Then she is to be a godly mother to her children. After these, she should participate wherever possible to enhance the overall ministry on the foreign field.
