Minutes of the July 12, 1955 Foreign Mission Board Meeting

85' Foreign Mission Board Rooms July 12, 1955 The Foreign Mission Board met in regular monthly session at 3' 30 p.m. on Tuesday. July 17, 19 >3, with Mr. Jerkins presiding. Present: L. Howard Jenkins, Solon B. Cousins, Perry Mitchell, John M. Lewis, Elton Phillips , Mrs. Kenneth Burke, Oscar L. Hite, V.'. Rush Lovin; , E. P. Buxton, Baker J. Cauthen, Frank K. Means, Elmer S. West, E. L. Wright, Bill Cody, E. L. Deane. Dr. Cousins led in nrayer. Dr. Cauthen made the following rerort: REPORT OF EXECUTIVE SECRETARY The recent Foreign Missions Week at Ridgecrest gav ■ indication afresh of the deer concern now prevailing in the hearts of Southern Baptists for a greater world mission program . This was evidenced both by the expressions individually made by many of the people present of their longing to see Southern Baptists do a larger work for our lord throughout the world and also by the larre number of young neonle who dedicated their lives to serve as missionaries. We regard the dedication of life a r being of highest significance. When Southern Baptists see young people surrendering themselves to go personally wherever the”- may be needed throughout the world, it will result inevitably in larger giving of money and new challenges in prayer. Especially noticeable amen? those who presented themselves to go were young pastors already settled in their work who thought that they might spend their lives in this country. Some outstanding young doctors also engaged in their effective practices have indicated their readiness to go to the mission field as God leads. We can conclude that God is, indeed, at work in the hearts of Southern Baptists oointin the way toward larger efforts on behalf of a needy world. In the next few weeks the secretaries of the Board will be giving, careful study to possible steps which may be taken in relation to greater emphasis on advance in world missions as voted by the Southern Baptist Convention at its meeting in Miami. At the meeting of the Executive Committee in Nashville in September and at the parallel meeting of the Committee on Promotion discussion will be had of the steps which may be taken to implement the resolutions concerning acceleratin'* advance in world missions. We are moving into a period of Convention-wide concentrated effort on world missions. This must be regarded as an opportunity of the highest signifi¬ cance for us to increase our ministry among the neonle throu bout the world who need it so desperately and also to bring to Southern Baptists immeasurable blessing as the Great Commission of our Lord becomes more vital in individual lives and church urograms. Dr. Crawley is attending the meetin s of the missions in the Orient, and on every hand there are good reports of progress being made in those areas. In particular we are glad because Dr. and Mrs. Sam Rankin are now qualified to go to Hong Kong, Dr. Rankin having passed the medical examinations of Canada, thereby enabling him to secure license to practice in Hong Kong. In connec¬ tion with the Hor.f Kong Baptist Convention a medical undertaking will be developed. Dr. Sadleg is now in Europe for the meeting of the Baptist World Alliance, and Dr. and Mrs. Rogers . Smith and Miss Edna Frances Dawkins are comple¬ ting their journey throughout the Near East. Miss Dawkins has had a good trip through Africa, and the.- will be attending the meetings of the World Alliance. Mrs. Cauthen and I leave tonight for the Alliance meetings in London. We will then go to Zurich for conferences, and will then ro to Italy and Spain for conferences with the missions. We will probably no’ go on to the Near