The Foreign Mission Board met in regular monthly session at 3:00 P.M. on Thursday,
December 5, 1963, with Dr. Lindsay presiding.
Present: State Members: James W. Abernathy, Ind.; R. Knolan Benfield, N.C.;
R. Paul Caudill, Tenn. ; B. Frank Foster, D.C.; Howard J. Ford, N.C.; Homer G. Lind¬
say, Ela.; Gerald Martin, Tenn.; Mrs. W. A. Mitchiner, N.C.; J. Norris Palmer, La.;
George R. Wilson, Ariz.; Blake Woolbright, Calif.
Local Members: T. F. Adams, Wade Bryant, J. Roy Clifford, H. Addison Dalton,
Joseph P. Edmondson, Horace L. Ford, R. Stuart Grizzard, M. Josiah Hoover, W. Rush
Loving, J. Walter Martin, Ryland 0. Reamy , Meredith K. Roberson, D. 0. Rose, Mrs,
John C. Tyree.
Staff: Baker J. Cauthen, Winston Crawley, Cornell Goerner, Frank K. Means, E. L.
Hill, Rogers M. Smith, Franklin T. Fowler, R. A. Magee, Jesse Fletcher, Edna Frances
Dawkins, Norman Price, Fon H. Scofield, E, L. Wright, lone Gray, Inez Tuggle.
Mr. Benfield read a Scripture passage and led in prayer.
Dr. Cauthen gave the following report of the Executive Secretary:
REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
We are engaged today in the final meeting of the Foreign Mission Board in a very
remarkable year. This has been known as World Missions Year and brings to a close
the emphasis of the Baptist Jubilee Advance prior to our meeting in Atlantic City
in May, 1964.
Throughout this year the attention of Southern Baptists has been focused upon mission
work throughout the world. All gatherings of Baptists have emphasized world mission
labor. The theme, "Sharing Christ With the Whole World," has been widely used.
The year has seen some remarkable developments. For one thing the number of mis¬
sionary appointments has come to an all-time high. With those being appointed today,
we will close the year with 195 appointments. This is far in excess, of anything we
have previously known.
The year has also seen much response on the part of missionary volunteers. Every
week there come to the Foreign Mission Board letters from people who are offering
themselves for missionary service. In addition there are hundreds of young people
who are responding to impressions to prepare for service overseas.
We are gratified to be able to come to the close of this year with more than 1800 mis¬
sionaries under appointment. This is the attainment of an objective to which we have
been working since 1948.
Missionary giving through this year has risen to a new height. Gifts through the Co¬
operative Program have continued to grow. We are now in the period of the year dedi¬
cated to prayer and giving for missions through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.
It is our hope that we may see blessing come about which will be far-reaching during
this month.
Nineteen sixty-three will be remembered as the year of evangelism. The meetings which
have been conducted in the Orient will continue to bear fruit throughout years to come.
During the past week missionary and Japanese convention leaders have given strong
emphasis to the values which have grown out of the meetings held in their country in
connection with the New Life Movement. The same testimony comes from other fields in
the Orient where these meetings have been experienced. We also rejoice in the fact
that a special evangelistic effort in Europe among the English-speaking churches proved
to be very fruitful and brought reinforcement to this phase of work.
Several state conventions have taken official action to offer their services in any
way possible in world evangelism. Official actions have come from state conventions
in North Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana and Missouri, making such offers to engage in
special evangelistic efforts. Baptists of Missouri in response to an invitation from
the Baptists of Australia are planning to give special assistance in that country in
evangelistic work in 1964.
The Baptists of Brazil are laying plans for a nation-wide evangelistic effort in 1965
and plans are under way in Hong Kong for a large-scale emphasis upon church develop¬
ment in 1966.
In view of these expressions of interest in evangelism, the work of the consultant for
evangelism and church development will become increasingly important in the months
ahead. We will need to seek the leadership of God as to the best way to utilize these
gracious offers of help so as to bring to pass the most constructive measures possible
