July 28, 1960
39
The Foreign Mission Board met in regular monthly session at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday,
July 28, 1960, with Mr. Jenkins presiding.
Present: L. Howard Jenkins, Emmett Robertson, Mrs. John Tyree, Oscar Hite, Mrs.
Clyde V. Hickerson, James Todd, Stuart Grizzard, Levering Evans, Horace Ford,
P. Earle Wood, Herman Thomas, C. Bailey Jones, Joseph Edmondson, Ryland 0 Reamy,
Baker J. Cauthen, Elmer West, Eugene L. Hill, Everett L. Deane, E. L. Wright,
Fon H. Scofield, Rogers M. Smith, Bill B. Cody, Floyd North, lone Gray.
On the motion of Dr. Hite, the following candidates were appointed as missionaries:
Dr. and Mrs. Orby Lee Butcher, Jr., Thailand
Miss Mary Emogene Harris, Nigeria
Rev. and Mrs. John B. Stepp, Jr., South Brazil (Special Appointees)
Rev. and Mrs. Preston Alford Taylor, Argentina
Dr. Cauthen gave the charge to the new missionaries and Dr. Levering Evans led in
the prayer of dedication.
Dr. Cauthen gave the following report:
REPORT OF EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Since the last meeting of the Board we have been saddened by the death of Mrs.
Kenneth Burke who has served faithfully as a member of this Board since May, 1953.
She will be remembered not only because of her service as a member of the Committee
on the Orient and the Committee on Missionary Education and Promotion, but also
because of her interest and activities in promoting Christian attitudes among all
races. When the headquarters building was being constructed she rendered valuable
service in taking major responsibility for having the portraits of former executive
secretaries painted. As we see these portraits in the corridor of this building,
we will be reminded of Mrs. Burke.
An appropriate resolution will be presented in the report of the Administrative
Committee relative to the passing of Mrs. Burke. We certainly extend to her
family our love and sympathy in this time of their bereavement.
Adequate reports have been presented by many relative to the meeting of the
Baptist World Alliance in Rio de Janeiro. It must be added, however, that the
cause of missions in Latin America has been greatly strengthened through this
strategic meeting. The fact that only seventy-nine years ago the first Baptist
church in Brazil was organized with five members upon the arrival of the first
missionary has great significance when we consider the very large progress which
has been made and the ability of Brazilian Baptists to make arrangements for
such a large meeting as gathered in their land. The closing service of the
Congress on Sunday afternoon when Dr. Billy Graham preached will be remembered
for many years as one of the great demonstrations of Christian effort to be
made in any part of the world.
Following the meeting of the Alliance, Dr. Goerner and I traveled to Africa.
In many respects this was one of the best journeys we have ever made. There
were many indications of God's leadership as we went from land to land.
In the great city of Dakar we found ourselves aware that the time may be
approaching when entry can be undertaken in the vast area formerly known as
French West Africa. New countries are surging to independence throughout the
whole of Africa, and in the area formerly under French Colonial administration
many new governments have already been established.
Upon the return of Dr. Goerner, recommendations will be presented to the
Board relative to establishment of work in the new republics of French West
Africa with initial effort to be made in the city of Dakar.
One of the main objectives of our journey to Africa was to confer with the
officials in Guinea relative to the possibility of continuing work in that
country. As is known to members of the Board, there has been a strong develop¬
ment of communist influence in Guinea since the little natiQfl came to its independence.
Our first missionaries who were placed there, Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Poe, could not
remain because their visas were not renewed at the date of expiration.