March 12, 1970
The Foreign Mission Board held its regular monthly meeting on March 12, 1970 at 3:00
p.m. in the Chapel of Southside Baptist Church, Lakeland, Florida, with M. Hunter
Riggins presiding.
PRESENT: State Members: Harvey Albright (Oklahoma), Mrs. Lindsey Barron (Georgia),
Clyde J. Childers (Texas), Virgil Clark (Indiana), Daniel W. Cloer (South Carolina),
T. Rupert Coleman (Florida), Mrs. H. Cowen Ellis (Virginia), B. Greer Garrott (Ten¬
nessee), Drew J. Gunnells, Jr. (Alabama), W. Douglas Hudgins (Mississippi), John
W. Langdale (Georgia), W. D. Malone (Oregon- Washington) , Mrs. W. K. McGee (North
Carolina), D. E. Meade (Kentucky), Don Mott (Florida), Bruce H. Price (Virginia),
J. Howard Reynolds (New Mexico), H. Todd Taylor (Illinois), Clifton W. Woolley
(Tennessee) .
Local Members : Mrs. R. B. Carter, J. Roy Clifford, Curtis English, Austin W. Farley,
Joseph B. Flowers, V. Allen Gaines, David S. Hammock, Mrs. Clyde V. Hickerson, John
W. Kincheloe, Jr., Lucius M. Polhill, James E. Rayhorn, Hunter Riggins, Merdith K.
Roberson, Edwin L. Shattuck.
Board 1 s Attorney: John C. Williams. Staff: Baker J. Cauthen, James D. Belote,
Charles W. Bryan, Louis R. Cobbs, Winston Crawley, Edna Frances Dawkins, William
K. Dawson, Everett L. Deane, Jesse C. Fletcher, Franklin T. Fowler, Cornell Goerner,
lone Gray, Eugene L. Hill, W. David Lockard , Frank K. Means, Stanley Nelson, R.
Keith Parks, Sidney C. Reber, Fon H. Scofield, Jr., Rogers M. Smith, Truman Smith,
Elbert L. Wright, Elizabeth Minshew.
The President called the meeting to order.
Mrs. Lindsey Barron, Board member from Georgia, read a passage of Scripture from
1 John, (English Version), and led in prayer.
Minutes of the Board for February 12, 1970, were approved.
Dr. Cauthen expressed deep appreciation for the privilege of the invitation extended
by the Southside Baptist Church on behalf of the March meeting of the Board.
Appreciation was expressed for the encouraging responses to the cause of missions -
both in dedication of life and financial resources - in the beginning of the Decade
of the Seventies. Special mention was made with reference to Lottie Moon Christmas
Offering receipts and Cooperative Program receipts already in hand, for planning
continued advance in the Board's program of work for 1971.
Dr. T. Rupert Coleman, pastor of the Southside Church, expressed genuine gratitude
on behalf of the deacons, the church staff, and the entire membership, for the
opportunity of having the Board meeting in the Southside Church. He expressed
genuine appreciation for all who were in attendance for the meeting. Dr. Coleman
called attention to the Board's Charter which calls for annual and semiannual meet¬
ings of the Foreign Mission Board to be held in Richmond. He expressed the feel¬
ing that it might be well to give research to this portion of the Board's Charter,
looking toward reinforcing action to continue holding these full meetings in Richmond.
Dr. Coleman explained that souvenirs were being made available for all who were
present. Each person would receive a miniature orange tree which would bloom and
bear fruit and serve as a continued reminder of this significant Board meeting.
Cookbooks were also provided, with recipes for the use of citrus products.
REPORT OF EXECUTIVE SECRETARY - Dr. Baker J. Cauthen
Dr. Cauthen gave the following report:
This meeting of the Board in Lakeland, Florida is of much significance. It is ex¬
pressive of the desire of the Foreign Mission Board to share as fully as possible
with Baptists throughout the entire Convention joy, challenge and responsibilities
of a worldwide missionary labor. It is also expressive of the deep missionary con¬
cern which characterizes the churches of Florida and their desire to be involved
as far as possible in a labor that takes us throughout the earth.
We are grateful to the pastor of the Southside Baptist Church in Lakeland and to
this gracious congregation for the hospitalities which are being extended, and
for the welcome which has been made so evident. We trust and pray that this meet¬
ing may be of value to many people, and particularly that some who are seeking
God's guidance may discover his will in their lives as pertains to missionary
service .
We have moved into the decade of the seventies with evidences of continued response
on the part of people to Christ's call to worldwide service. Screening conferences
for volunteers for journeymen service have reflected both the large numbers and