November 10, 1960
The Foreign Mission Board met in regular monthly session at 3:00 p.m. on
Thursday, November 10, with Mr. Jenkins presiding.
Present: L. Howard Jenkins, Theodore F. Adams, Stuart Grizzard, James Todd,
Rush Loving, Mrs. John Tyree, Ryland Reamy, P. Earle Wood, C. Bailey Jones,
Emmett Y. Robertson, Horace Ford, J. Levering Evans, Elton Phillips, Herman
Thomas, Baker J. Cauthen, Eugene Hill, Cornell Goerner, Elmer West, E. L.
Deane, Luke Smith, Fon Scofield, Floyd North, E. L. Wright, lone Gray, Mary
E. Fuqua.
Bailey Jones led in prayer.
Dr. Cauthen gave the following report:
REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
We are now approaching the time when Advance Program funds from the Cooperative
Program are to be anticipated. We are happy to report that there has been an
improvement in the rate of advance of the Cooperative Program over the receipts
last year.
At the close of October the Cooperative Program indicated an increase of 3.24
per cent over the first ten months of 1959.
If as much money is received in Nashville in November and December, 1960 as
was received in the corresponding months of 1959, the Foreign Mission Board
will receive $873,027 for Advance.
If there is a three per cent increase in November and December over the
amount received last year, the Foreign Mission Board will receive $945,405
for Advance.
These figures are encouraging because we are counting upon $800,000 from
Advance Program funds for the 1961 budget. These figures indicate that the
amount anticipated for the budget can be counted upon with confidence.
This is also the period of the year when the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering
will be received. It is impossible to state fully the importance of this offering
as it reaches toward its goal of $8,700,000. Of this amount of money, $3,000,000
will constitute a part of the 1961 budget and will be used for support of mission¬
aries, operating expenses of schools, hospitals, evangelistic work, and many
other purposes.
The remainder of the offering will be used chiefly for Capital purposes. The
very large requests for funds for church buildings, schools, hospitals,
seminaries, mission residences, and other purposes would be impossible to
consider without this great offering which year by year brings reinforcement
so definitely.
As we think in terms of the study of missions and intercessory prayer which
will take place during the Week of Prayer, it brings us a great sense of
encouragement and reinforcement.
We are greatly indebted to Woman's Missionary Union for the labor of love
they perform year by year in the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.
The secretaries of the Board are intensively occupied during these weeks
in Conventions. This is the period of the year when throughout all of our
Southern Baptist life there occur meetings of Baptist Student Union Conven¬
tions, State Conventions, and many Woman's Missionary Union Conventions.
It is also a time when Mission Day services are held in the seminaries.
The ministries represented by these Conventions are of very great significance.
Many decisions for foreign mission work are being made by people who attend
the meetings and concern for missions is greatly increased in the hearts of
God's people as they come together for these annual sessions.
The secretaries will appreciate the prayers of the members of the Board
for these responsible engagements as they make demands in time, travel, and
effort.
