I believe this valuable information is missing in the article: Dr. Glenn OShoney, former LCMS Office of International Mission executive director and Texas District president, explains the beginning of JILM: “In 2002, four families met in my home in Walburg, Texas, and together pledged to do something to help the mission of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod be about its task of reaching the lost with the Good News of Christ the Savior. The mission society was born. Zion Lutheran Church of Walburg took a bold step of faith and agreed to be our host congregation. From there, the founding four couples began making phone calls and writing letters to enlist other mission-passionate people. Today, we have over 500 members in 40 states, a large number of whom are pastors.”