December 9, 1965
109
The Foreign Mission Board met in regular monthly session on Thursday, December 9,
1965 in the chapel of the Foreign Mission Board with Dr. J. Chester Badgett
presiding.
Present: State Members: J. Chester Bagett, Ky.: Knolan Benfield, N. C.; Blake
Woolbright, Calif.; W. D. Malone, Ore-Wash. ; Ralph M. G. Smith, Mo.; Barney Bayles,
Md.; J. Norris Palmer, La. Local Members: T. F. Adams, Wade Bryant, J. Roy Clifford,
Joseph P. Edmondson, Curtis English, J. C. Hatfield, Mrs. Clyde V. Hickerson,
W. Rush Loving, J. Walter Martin, J. Leonard Moore, John L. Moran, James E. Rayhorn,
Ryland 0. Reamy, Hunter Riggins, Meredith K. Roberson, D. 0. Rose, Edwin L. Shattuck,
Dalton Ward.
Staff: Bak4r J. Cauthen, Rogers M. Smith, Frank K. Means, Winston Crawley, Cornell
Goerner, J. D. Hughey, Franklin T. Fowler, Joseph B. Underwood, E. L. Deane, E. L.
Wright, Jesse C. Fletcher, William W. Marshall, Samuel DeBord, Louis R. Cobbs, Truman
S. Smith, E. L. Hill, Fon H. Scofield, lone Gray, G. Norman Price, Harold G. Basden,
Genevieve Greer, Floyd H. North.
Dr. J. Norris Palmer read a Scripture passage and led in prayer.
Dr. Cauthen reported that Mrs. Charles E. Maddry, wife of the former executive
secretary of the Foreign Mission Board, had suffered a stroke on December 4, and was
in the Baptist Hospital in Montgomery, Alabama, and that a telegram was being sent
from the Board expressing prayerful concern for her at this time.
Dr. Roberson led in special prayer for Mrs. Maddry.
Dr. Cauthen gave the following report of the Executive Secretary:
REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
As we come to the final meeting of the Foreign Mission Board for 1965 our hearts are
filled with praise and thanksgiving for the blessing of God throughout the year.
We give Him the glory and praise His name for the clear indications of His leadership
and blessing.
A new height has been reached in the appointment of missionaries. With those that are
being made at this meeting, the number for the year will total 220, including
missionary associates and missionary journeymen. This is the highest number ever to
be made in the history of the Foreign Mission Board. It is particularly significant
when we are aware that the high standards have been maintained with faithfulness so
that those who go have met the rigorous requirements necessary for service overseas.
The launching of the missionary journeyman program in 1965 has been one of the memorable
developments of the year. Young people who have gone in this new category of service
are proving their value to the mission fields. Reports from every hand indicate the
wisdom of launching this new venture in missionary service.
Crusades of evangelism have made a large contribution on many fields during 1965. Of
particular note have been the crusades in Thailand, telaysia, Mexico, Ecuador, Spain,
Nigeria, British Guiana, and Paris , France.
The outstanding special effort in evangelism has been the nationwide crusade in Brazil
which began with the vast service in the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro in which
150,000 people gathered. Reports indicate that more than 82,000 decisions have been
registered in the crusades and that the meetings are continuing with expectation of
even larger results. The National Convention is expecting to hold its meeting in Sao
Paulo shortly and is planning for a large evangelistic rally in the stadium which
seats more than 70,000 people.
Preparations have been made for special evangelistic efforts in 1966 in Ghana, Trinidad,
Venezuela, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Poland and Japan. Plans for an Asia-wide Sunday School
Crusade for 1966 have been completed and great good is anticipated through this project
designed to strengthen the churches.
Geographical advance has moved steadily forward. Surveys have been made in North
Africa and the Middle East with the hope that additional service in that needy area
may be undertaken. Plans have been developed for entry into some of the countries
of Africa formerly included in the French Colonial areas but now represented by
independent African nations. Further advance in Africa is being planned in areas of
South and East Africa aiajacent to the countries now being served. In Latin America
and the Orient steady progress has been made in moving into new developments in
countries recently entered. Every phase of mission service including medical work,
Christian education, publications, radio and television, seminary training, and
Christian benevolent services has moved steadily forward. New avenues of service have
been developed and a wider array of missionary opportunity is afforded than ever before.
