SBOM hires new Alabama State campus minister

Reginald Jamale Alford of New Orleans is the new Baptist campus minister for Alabama State University (ASU). His election was announced during the State Board of Missions (SBOM) meeting in Montgomery May 20.
   
Since 2001, Alford has served as a collegiate minister with the Louisiana Baptist Convention and works with students at Southern University of New Orleans and Dillard University.
   
Following his move to Montgomery, Alford will continue studies with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, where he has already completed most of the coursework for the master of divinity degree.
   
Alford, 27, a native of Columbia, Miss., made a profession of faith in 1998 as a result of his involvement in Baptist campus ministries at Alcorn State University in Missi­ssippi, where he earned a bachelor of science in agricultural economics.
   
He and his wife, Jessica, are members of Gateway Baptist Church, Lumberton, Miss., where he serves as youth pastor and she is a member of the praise and worship team. 
   
Rick Lance, SBOM executive director, told the executive committee he was pleased with Alford’s calling. “The campus minister post at ASU has been vacant for two years now as we’ve sought the right candidate for this strategic assignment,” Lance said. “We appreciate Reginald and Jessica moving to Montgomery and look forward to working alongside them in Great Commission ministries.”
   
During its regularly scheduled meeting, SBOM members approved the annual audit report, made changes in the district organization of the state convention and appropriated funds for the ongoing North American mission program known as Impact Northeast. 
   
Lucinda Bollinger, a principal in the auditing firm of Jackson Thornton & Co., commended the accounting practices of the SBOM and told board members that no management letter was issued as a result of the 2004 audit. 
   
Bollinger said the audit was conducted on a modified-cash basis of accounting, which is a standard “other than accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.”  
   
Following the meeting, Bobby DuBois, associate executive director of the SBOM, explained that the modified-cash basis is used at the recommendation of the auditor and the legal counsel. DuBois said the SBOM is primarily a “flow through” organization that forwards most of the money it receives to other causes and entities.  
   
After examining why the SBOM exists and how it does its work, the auditor and legal counsel determined the modified-cash basis of accounting most accurately reflects the status of the board’s financial records, DuBois said. 
   
Two associations will be moved to new districts effective Jan. 1, 2006. State board members approved moving Pine Barren Association from District 8 to District 6. In making the recommendation, Lance explained that Pine Barren shares a director of missions (DOM) with Bethlehem Association, which is in District 6. It would be easier from an administrative standpoint if both associations were in the same district, he said.
   
Tennessee River Association was moved from District 1 to District 2. Both changes were requested by the DOMs of the associations. 
   
Board members also approved appropriating $8,500 for the Penn-Jersey Baptist Convention to help finance collegiate ministries in three areas. As part of a multi-state focus on the northeast area of the nation, Alabama Baptists have developed a supportive relationship with the Penn-Jersey Convention. The funds will come from the global-partnership account.
   
In other business, board members heard reports about tsunami relief efforts by Alabama Baptists and new partnerships for the convention. (SBOM, TAB)