COLUMBIA, S.C. — Jerry Rankin, retired president of the International Mission Board (IMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention, has agreed to direct the Zwemer Center for Muslim Studies at Columbia International University.
Rankin succeeds current director Warren Larson, who will retire in 2012 but continue to serve in a teaching and writing role, according to a new release from the university.
Rankin retired July 31, 2010, after 17 years as IMB president and 23 years as a Southern Baptist representative in Asia, initially in Indonesia, which has the largest Muslim population in the world.
The Zwemer Center offers a curriculum on Muslim studies, including a master’s degree, and sponsors research, seminars, dialogues and training conferences.
Rankin will continue to live at his home in Mississippi while giving direction to planning, administration and implementation of the Columbia International program, the news release noted.
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