June 22-24, 1970
(Ridgecrest, North Carolina)
The Foreign Mission Board met in Convention-wide session at Ridgecrest, North Carolina,
June 22, 23, 24, 1970, with the President of the Board, Mr. M. Hunter Riggins, presiding.
PRESENT: State Members: J. Don Aderhold (Georgia), Harvey Albright (Oklahoma),
Mrs. John I. Alford (Georgia), Mrs. Carl E. Bates (North Carolina), Barney E. Bayles
(Maryland), Glen E. Braswell (Colorado), J. Carroll Chadwick (Texas), Clyde J. Childers
(Texas), Virgil Clark (Indiana), Daniel W. Cloer (South Carolina), T. Rupert Coleman
(Florida), Robert L. Denee<n (South Carolina), James Flamming (Texas), J. Ray Garrett
(D. C.), James W. Hackney (Missouri), James D. Hall (Oklahoma), W. Douglas Hudgins
(Mississippi), C. J. Humphrey (Texas), Mrs. William M. Jones (North Carolina), Charles
Lassiter (Michigan), B. J. Martin (Texas), D. E. Meade (Kentucky), Mrs. W. K. McGee
(North Carolina), Don Mott (Florida), J. Howard Reynolds (New Mexico), Perry R. Sanders
(Louisiana ), Loyed R. Simmons (California), Ralph M. G. Smith (Missouri), Miss Mary
Essie Stephens (Alabama), Eldred M. Taylor (Kentucky), H. Todd Taylor (Illinois),
Johnny L. Taylor (Mississippi), W. 0. Vaught, Jr. (Arkansas), *C. Clifton Ward
(Tennessee), Grady B. Wilson (North Carolina), Clifton W. Woolley (Tennessee).
*(Had to leave Ridgecrest, due to illness of brother.)
Local Members : J. Roy Clifford, Austin W. Farley, V. Allen Gaines, David S. Hammock,
Mrs. Clyde V. Hickerson, John L. Moran, Lucius M. Polhill, James E. Rayhorn, M. Hunter
Riggins, Meredith K. Roberson, Edwin L. Shattuck, Mrs. Thomas Whalen.
Board's Attorney: John C. Williams. Staff: Baker J. Cauthen, James D. Belote,
Charles W. Bryan, Louis R. Cobbs, Edna Frances Dawkins, William K. Dawson, Everett
L. Deane, Samuel A. DeBord, Jesse C. Fletcher, Franklin T. Fowler, Cornell Goerner,
Eugene L. Hill, J. D. Hughey, Frank K. Means, Stanley Nelson, Floyd H. North,
R. Keith Parks, G. Norman Price, Sidney C. Reber, Fon H. Scofield, Jr., W. L. Smith,
Truman Smith, Melvin E. Torstrick, Ralph West, Elbert L. Wright, Elizabeth Minshew.
Visitors: Missions professors were invited guests of the Board. Those present were:
Dr. Helen E. Falls, New Orleans Seminary, New Orleans, Louisiana; Dr. W. Bryant Hicks,
Southern Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky; Dr. E. Luther Copeland, Southeastern Seminary,
Wake Forest, North Carolina.
The meeting of the Board opened with a DISCUSSION PERIOD immediately following dinner
at 6:00 p.m., June 22.
Board members and staff were seated at adjoining tables during the dinner and a
period of delightful fellowship was enjoyed.
The missions professors were invited to attend the DISCUSSION PERIOD, which was
held in Rooms 53 and 54 in the Auditorium Annex, with M. Hunter Riggins, the
Board's president, presiding.
Miss Mary Essie Stephens, Board member from Alabama, read a passage of Scripture and
led in prayer.
Miss Mary Essie Stephens expressed her genuine appreciation to Mrs. Alford who
served as secretary of the 125th Anniversary Celebration Committee and to all members
of the committee and others who rendered invaluable service in the responsibilities
of the committee - most especially during the time when she was unable to attend
meetings of the committee on account of an automobile accident in which she was
involved around that time. At this point, she extended appreciation for the prayers
on behalf of her and her family and the expressions of concern that were received.
The President recognized all Board members who were present. Special mention was
made of the Board members who rotated off Board membership during the meeting of the
Southern Baptist Convention, Denver, Colorado, and the new members who came on the
Board at that time.
The President made significant mention of Dr. Cauthen' s most inspiring message on
Sunday morning, June 21. He expressed the feeling that, without any doubt, Dr.
Cauthen was greatly used by the Lord at that time.
The President turned the meeting over to Dr. Cauthen.
Dr. Cauthen recognized Mrs. Carl E. Bates, in the absence of her husband, who was
elected as President of the Southern Baptist Convention, during its meeting in
Denver. Special tribute was paid to Dr. Bates for his many meaningful contributions
to the cause of missions through the years and great appreciation was expressed for
the continued opportunities that he will have for this service in his newly elected
position.
