February 10, 1966
153
The Foreign Mission Board met in regular monthly session on Thursday, February 10,
1966 at 3 P.M. in the chapel of the Foreign Mission Board with Dr. J. Roy Clifford
presiding.
Present: . State Member : 0. K. Webb, South Carolina
Local Members: T. F. Adams, Wade Bryant, J. Roy Clifford, Joseph B. Edmondson, J. C.
Hatfield, Mrs. Clyde V. Hickerson, W. Rush Loving, J. Walter Martin, Jr., Leonard
Moore, John L. Moran, James Rayhorn, Ryland Reamy, Hunter Riggins, Meredith K.
Roberson, D. 0. Rose, Edwin L. Shattuck.
Staff: Baker J. Cauthen, Rogers M. Smith, Frank K. Means, Winston Crawley, Cornell
Goerner, John D. Hughey, E. L. Deane, E. L. Wright, Jesse C. Fletcher, Franklin
Fowler, Louis R. Cobbs, Truman S. Smith, E. L. Hill, Fon H. Scofield, lone Gray,
G. Norman Price, Floyd H. North.
Guests: Mr. and Mrs. L. Howard Jenkins, Sr.
Dr. Clifford led in Responsive Reading No. 56.
Dr. John L. Moran led in prayer.
Dr. Cauthen gave the following report of the Executive Secretary:
REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
The administration of relief is one of the important functions in the life of the
Foreign Mission Board. During the last twenty years this has been a matter of very
great importance due to circumstances growing out of World War II.
At the meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in Miami in 1946 an offering was
begun for World Relief and Rehabilitation. The hearts of Southern Baptists were stirred
by the terrible suffering which resulted from worldwide hostilities. The offering amount¬
ed to more than four million dollars and was carefully disbursed by the Foreign Mission
Board in many countries.
Concern for relief leads many people to send offerings for this purpose through their
churches. When there occur crises these offerings are increased because of the response
of Christian compassion to human suffering. During the war in Korea offerings for re¬
lief increased.
In approaching the problems of relief there are two main facets. First there is min¬
istry to the root causes of human suffering out of which relief needs arise. This in¬
volves long-range ministries of Christian education, medical work and social welfare
as reflected in community centers, literacy work and children's homes.
Ultimate solutions call for ministry to man's deepest spiritual need. The work of the
churches brings to individuals and communities spiritual reinforcement out of which
solutions to problems can arise.
When we look, therefore, at our total ministries of evangelism and church development,
Christian education, medical work and publication of Christian literature, we rec¬
ognize that all of this aims at meeting human need. Much of this ministry is focused
upon the root causes of human suffering. In addressing ourselves to these ministries
the main resources of foreign missions are expended.
Emergency relief is another facet of the problem. Crises occur with tragic results.
Devastated communities, impoverished people, refugees who are hungry, homeless, and
sick are constant sights in areas afflicted by war.
Sudden disasters such as an earthquake in Chile, storms in Pakistan, fires in Hong
Kong and floods in Brazil bring sudden demands for relief funds to meet critical needs.
In order to meet the sudden crises it is necessary to have in hand a Relief Fund out
of which appropriations can be made. For this reason the Foreign Mission Board at its
December meeting appropriated the sum of $100,000.00 from the Advance Fund received at
the close of 1965 through the Cooperative Program for this purpose. This sum, to¬
gether with the amounts that will be received, will constitute the resources from which
recommendations for relief will be provided. It is our hope that another sum of
$100,000.00 can be set aside in 1967 for this purpose. An annual fund of $100,000.00
for relief seems to be realistic although as special crises occur in the world this
fund will prove to be inadequate and will need to be enlarged.
