TMS Global has a new CEO

“Thirty years ago, I never would have guessed that God would use our team’s tiny church plant in Kazakhstan to raise up pastors and many believers who now live in 11 countries around the world,” tells Dr. James “Jim” Ramsay, TMS Global’s new president and CEO.

This is just one example of what God has done through TMS Global (formerly The Mission Society) over the past 40 years. Today the tiny church plant that began with the TMS Global team in Kazakhstan is fully led by local believers and has even planted other congregations. 

“I was recently in Asia and had the joy of being with Valodya,* a young man I first met when he came to our church in Kazakhstan. He came to faith, grew in the faith, eventually pastored that church, and now trains church leaders in discipleship across Central Asia.”   

Jim could tell you many other such stories of lives who have been transformed by the love of Christ and called into mission. Himself called, he has dedicated the last 30 years of his life to mission—through TMS Global. Prior to joining the home office staff, Jim served with his family for 10 years in Central Asia. He is this organization’s first CEO who has served as a missionary (“cross-cultural witness”) with TMS Global. 

“That says more about the organization than it does about me,” he says. “It equips, supports, and develops people, and encourages innovation. In a sense, TMS Global has raised me. There is no doubt that the values of this community are part of who I am. And they will carry me into this role.” 

While our mission is the same as when Jim joined 30 years ago, the world is not the same. “I am humbled by the creativity of our cross-cultural witnesses who have innovated new ways of doing ministry and engaging culture, ways of serving that I could not have imagined back when we first moved to Central Asia in 1996. 

“As an organization, we also are innovating new ways to assist local churches and pastors in being missional in their own increasingly diverse communities.” As for the future of TMS Global, for Jim, the example of Valodya’s life and ministry serve as inspiration. “This is my vision—that through all we do, our purpose remains to invite people to faith, then disciple them well so that they enter into the good works God has for them. They, in turn, disciple others—for the sake of the gospel and the advancement of God’s kingdom.”

Dr. Jim Ramsay is preceded in office by the Rev. Max Wilkins, who retired on April 30, after having served for 10 years as TMS Global’s president/CEO and 32 years in pastoral ministry.  *pseudonym

If you would like to learn how TMS Global can serve you, your pastor or your church, please join Jim for a Virtual  Town Hall meeting in July where you can ask him any question. Learn more and sign up at:  www.tms-global.org/townhall24

In the past 40 years, TMS Global (formerly The Mission Society) has trained, mobilized, and served hundreds of cross-cultural witnesses who communicate the good news of Jesus in word and deed. For more information about how you might serve or partner with TMS Global, visit tms-global.org.