145
Foreign Mission Board Rooms
December 8, 1955
The Foreign Mission Board met in regular monthly session at 3:30 p.m. on
Thursday, December 8, 1955, with Mr. Jenkins presiding.
Present: L. Howard Jenkins, H, B. Tillman, Perry Mitchell, Neal W. Ellis,
Mrs. Earl Brown, Garis T. Long, Solon B. Cousins, Oscar L. Hite, John M.
Lewis, Howard L. Arthur, C. Bailey Jones, E. P. Buxton, J. i undley Wiley,
W. Rush Loving, Mrs. Kenneth Burke, Elton Phillips, J. E. Boyles, P. E3rle
Wood, Baker J. Cauthen, George W. Sadler, E. L. Wright, Fon H, Scofield,
Rogers Smith, Elmer West, E. L. Deane.
Guests: Rev. John W. Wood, Rev. and Mrs. James S. Potter, Miss Douglas Oliver,
Mrs. Lester Knight, Mrs. Bessie McGahey.
On the motion of Dr. Hite the following missionary candidates were elected
as missionaries:
Dr. and Mrs. Calvin Winfield Applewhite, Indonesia
Miss Pauline Jackson, SouthemKhodesia
Rev. and Mrs. Barry Mitchell, North Brazil
Miss Fanny Starnes, Thailand
Rev. and Mrs. Howard Olive, Philippines
Rev. and Mrs. Dan Sprinkle, Argentina
Each missionary gave a brief testimony. Dr. Cauthen delivered the charge to
the new missionaries and Rev. John W. Wood led in the prayer of dedication.
Dr. Cauthen gave the following report:
REPORT OF EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
The weeks since the last meeting of this Board have been as strenuous for the
secretaries as any oeriod in the entire year. Most of the state conventions
meet during November. These important gatherings together with state Baptist
Student Union and Training Union Conventions with emphasis on the Lottie Moon
Christmas Offering call for continuous travel and extensive speaking on behalf
of foreign missions.
The response of Southern Baptists to these efforts gives abundant evidence of
the value of the work done. In most of the state conventions the hour for
emphasis on foreign missions is usually placed at a time of major interest.
In addition, many state conventions showed our new film, "Recruits for Christ."
We can say with confidence that Southern Baptists are experiencing a deeper
development of missionary conviction than we have ever known before.
As a consequence of meetings of these conventions, we receive in the offices
of the Foreign Mission Board almost daily letters from well trained experienced
workers who are volunteering for world mission service. The appointment of
the missionaries before the Board today is a fair representation of the type
of response being found now to the appeal for world need. There is every
indication that the number of missionaries available for appointment will
increase year by year. It is realistic to expect that we can plan for a
minimum of 125 appointments annually and as many more as Cod will direct.
Increasing missionary determination is reflected also in financial support.
We have already received more than $1,000,000 of Advance Program funds, and
our expectations are that the total will exceed $1,500,000 by the end of December.
It is too early to know anything about the results of the Lottie Moon Christmas
Off ring as it is only now n the process of being received, but the interest
in the offering was never higher and reports of the goals set in many places
indicate that the offering will be 1 trger than it was in 195b.
Some Baptists still have difficulty understanding the facts about finances
needed for foreign mission service. Only recently I had a letter asking if
an income of $9,000,000 per year and a total of only 1,000 missionaries means
that each missionary is paid $9,000 per year salary.
It is constantly necessary through all of our educational means to keep before
Southern baptists the fact that personal support of missionaries is only a
part of our total commitment. Funds for operating expenses of 511 schools,
