VALLEY FORGE, PA (6/19/17)—Jae Stockton of Billings, Montana, has been endorsed to serve as an International Ministries (IM) missionary in Baja California, Mexico. She will serve through the Baja Baptist Seminary in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico.
Stockton is an information technologist who will provide technical assistance to seminary students and church leaders, both at the Mexicali campus and at other seminaries in the region. She will also provide assistance for the online Masters in Theological Studies in Latino/a Ministries, a joint effort with Palmer Seminary of Eastern University through which IM and American Baptist Home Mission Societies personnel train church leaders throughout the Americas. Jae will also support the Baja Baptist Seminary programs of evangelism and discipleship.
“My passion to become a missionary started at a very young age growing up in the Philippines where I was born,” Stockton explains. “The church that my mom and I attended was planted and pastored by an American missionary. He played a huge role in my spiritual life as a kid and as a growing Christian.”
Stockton continues, “I believe in my heart that God is calling me to serve his beloved people, and so I would like to fulfill that calling in obedience to the Father. When I went to Nicaragua and to Mexico for short-term mission trips, I always felt at home. I think, having these Filipino roots in me, I’ll be able to connect well with the Hispanic culture. Now that God is sending me to Mexico, I am just so overwhelmed with joy that God is always good and faithful to me, and in his own timing he always answers my prayers and fulfills my dreams. I give him all praise and glory! I can’t wait to serve our Lord alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ and to share God’s Word and his goodness with the people in Mexico for the glory of God!”
“Who would have guessed 203 years ago when this ministry was founded that an information technologist missionary would’ve been needed for such a time as this?” asks Adalia Gutierrez Lee, area director for Iberoamerica and the Caribbean. “IM is thrilled that Jae has responded to this call. She will not only be a blessing to our online Masters in Theological Education MTS program, but her gifts in evangelism will continue being affirmed throughout Mexico!”
Stockton is a 2015 graduate of Montana State University. She earned an AAS degree in computer system technology and networking. She is currently working on a Master in Theological Studies at Palmer Seminary and is planning to graduate in 2019. Her home church is First Baptist Church in Billings, Montana.
The Rev. Dr. Charles Revis, executive minister of Mission Northwest, commented, “We give thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ for the endorsement of Jae to serve as an IM missionary. Our region was brought to life through the missionary efforts of faithful believers who came to share the good news to the Northwest many years ago. We believe the church grows and its witness for the gospel is strengthened through dedicated servants such as Jae.”
Stockton is working now to build her Mission Partnership Team and raise the funds needed to begin her ministry in Mexico.
More information about Jae Stockton is available on her profile page on the IM website.
International Ministries, also known as the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society, works cross-culturally to invite people to become disciples of Jesus Christ and to proclaim, through both word and deed, God’s reign of justice, peace and abundant life for all creation.
American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.