Couple makes mark on missions

The leadership and global vision Bob and Betty Anderson have employed during 11 years as volunteers in missions coordinators for the State Board of Missions (SBOM) cannot be ignored. During their tenure, tens of thousands of Alabama Baptist volunteers in missions have served God around the world.
   
“It’s been wonderful, seeing people get involved in volunteerism and the joy you get out of it,” Mrs. Anderson said.
  
Anderson said the couple, who retired May 11, started their work with “two folding chairs, a folding table and a closet.” The change was an adjustment for the two, who had worked in education at The University of Alabama — Anderson as chair of instructional leadership in the college of education and Mrs. Anderson, who worked with student teachers.
   
But the Andersons’ work at the SBOM blossomed through the years, as they served as Mission Service Corps volunteers for the Home Mission Board, now the North American Mission Board.
   
“Bob and Betty Anderson are the personification of the term ‘volunteers in missions,’ ” said Rick Lance, SBOM executive director. “They have labored sacrificially for the cause of Christ in the recruitment of Alabama Baptists for missions involvement in our state convention partnerships. They have established a tremendous missions legacy for which all Alabama Baptists can be grateful.”
   
The Andersons also worked under SBOM executive directors Earl Potts and Troy Morrison —  taking only a brief hiatus from their work in Montgomery to serve in the Far East.
   
Their service was paired with a teaching assignment for Anderson, who taught classes on American military bases in South Korea, Okinawa and Japan for Troy State University (TSU) in the area of graduate programs in education.
   
With the full knowledge of his TSU employers, Anderson and his wife engaged in a variety of ministry activities as volunteer missionaries working with English-language churches.
   
“I did everything from scrub the floors to leading Bible studies on Wednesday nights,” Mrs. Anderson said with a smile.
   
Reflecting on their work in Alabama, the Andersons recalled their initial plans. “Our goal was to make known the concept of volunteers in missions,” Mrs. Anderson said.
   
“When we first started, very few people knew about volunteers in missions,” Anderson said. “A strategic key to raising awareness on this issue has been the development of a network of volunteers in missions consultants. These dedicated folks have been indispensable in the strides that have been made.”
   
Over the years, Alabama Baptists have seen a steep increase in missions awareness throughout the state.
   
“The state of volunteers in missions in Alabama is this: It’s on the verge of becoming accepted as being one of the vital parts of the lives of Christians,” Anderson said. “People used to say, ‘This is a missions-minded church.’ But now we are seeing ‘missions-active’ churches. I think all Christians ought to be involved in missions and ministries.”
   
The Andersons’ role in the change has been unique. “We have served more as a catalyst when we’ve been invited to speak in churches and associations,” Betty said.
   
The Andersons became the parents of two adopted children — Tom who is minister of music at the Singapore International Baptist Church, Singapore, and Betsy, who was killed by a drunk driver in 1992 when she was 34.
   
As the Andersons enter retirement, both say their physical stamina isn’t what it once was, but they are still open to God’s will.
   
“Bob likes gardening, and I like reading and sewing, but we don’t do much of it now. We just don’t have the energy we used to,” Mrs. Anderson said. “We’re looking for an open door; God usually opens doors.”