Foreign Mission Board
November 20, 1958
The Foreign Mission Board met in regular session on Thursday, November 20, 1958
at 3:00 p.ra. with Mr. Jenkins presiding.
Present: L. Howard Jenkins, Howard Arthur, H.P. Thomas, James P. Todd, J. Lever¬
ing Evans, P. Earle Wood, C. Bailey Jones, Mrs. Kenneth Burke, Solon B. Cousins,
Horace Ford, Elton Phillips, Mrs. John Tyree, Emmett Y. Robertson, Baker J. Cauthen,
Cornell Goerner, E. L. Deane, Rogers M. Smith, Fon Scofield, James Stertz, Elmer
West.
Dr. Jones led in prayer.
Dr. Cauthen gave the following report:
REPORT OF EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Since the last meeting of the Board, the secretaries have been in many state con¬
ventions for their annual sessions. On every hand there are indications of the
deepening concern of Southern Baptists for world missions.
Without exception the state convention meetings reported larger attendance than
ever before. Most of them set aside one of the best hours of the entire session
for the consideration of foreign missions. In every instance there was a deep
desire to know more about world need and our responsibility for sharing Christ
with our fellow man. We can anticipate from these meetings of state conventions
many people who will feel God's leadership to missionary service.
As we press forward with world mission responsibilities, we keep in mind the high
measure of cooperation being given by churches and their leaders throughout the
entire convention territory. The Foreign Mission Board is a channel through which
the 31,000 churches in fellowship with the Southern Baptist Convention project
their mission efforts across the world.
Much of this effort is reflected in the fact that already the southwide Cooperative
Program budget has been reached and money is now being received from Advance Program
funds. We have already received at the Foreign Mission Board more than enough to
cover the amount set aside from Advance Program funds to apply on the 1959 budget.
In the recommendations being presented today will be a number of items to be pro¬
vided by these gifts.
We are approaching a season when the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering will be upper¬
most in the thinking of Baptists. It is our hope that the offering this year may
be greater than ever before, not only in the amount of money given but in the quali¬
ties of prayer, study and dedication which are so vital.
Dr. Crawley and Dr. Means are away on journeys to their respective areas. The
journeys of area secretaries to their fields is one of the most important adminis¬
trative measures we utilize. It is possible for the area secretaries to meet with
missions and conventions so as to help plan for strengthening the work and solving
problems .
The work on the headquarters building is nearing completion. We are greatly
indebted to the members of our Building Committee and the members of our Decora¬
tions and Furnishings Committee for the splendid work they have done. The build¬
ing has moved forward with a minimum of problems, and when it is completed, we
will enter it with gratitude to God for His leadership and for the gifts of Southern
Baptists which have made it possible.
Since the last meeting of our Board two honored missionaries have gone on to be
with the Lord. Miss Margie Shumate who served Christ in China and Thailand died
on October 16. She will be remembered in the Far East for her love for the Chinese
people. In days of famine and suffering she gave herself to relieving human need.
Her work will live on in the hearts of people throughout the years to come.
On November 8 Miss Ruth Kersey went on to be with Christ. Her life in Africa had
been one of ministry to human need. The Ruth Kersey Children's Home came into
life in response to Miss Kersey's longing to do something for helpless children.
Both of these ladies were dearly loved by Southern Baptists and particularly by
the Baptists of Virginia. They will be remembered as servants of Christ whose
lives made light to shine in the darkness for the glory of our Saviour.
