State Baptist convention and North American Mission Board (NAMB) leaders “have determined to move forward together in unity to impact the lostness of North America,” according to a statement issued Sept. 14.
The agreement was shared during the annual NAMB-sponsored state executive directors meeting Sept. 13–14 in Grapevine, Texas.
Representatives of the state executive directors, led by David Hankins of Louisiana, met with NAMB President Kevin Ezell and other mission board leaders as part of the two-day gathering.
The session follows the creation of a special study committee in February. The study committee’s assignment is to evaluate relations and cooperation between state Baptist conventions and NAMB.
Alabama Baptist Executive Director Rick Lance was part of the study committee but was unable to attend the September meeting because of health issues (see story, this page). He told The Alabama Baptist following the release of the statement:
“I am glad that the leadership of NAMB and that of state convention executive directors could come to a mutually acceptable agreement as to future working relationships. This will help us all maximize our collaborative efforts to reach the unreached in North America.”
Apprehension and uncertainty have marked the relationship between NAMB and a number of state conventions as the mission board has increased funding for its Send North America church planting and evangelism strategy, prioritizing Southern Baptist missions efforts on those areas of North America with the greatest spiritual lostness and the smallest number of Southern Baptist churches. The shift has reduced joint funding for staffing for longstanding missions and ministries in the states.
Hankins said in a statement, “It is our desire [to] join ranks around the task of evangelizing and congregationalizing North America. Southern Baptists can have confidence in our united effort.”
Ezell stated, “We are excited to be moving forward together in unity for the sake of the Kingdom.”
When asked for more details about the agreement by The Alabama Baptist, Ezell said, “I would love to (share the details of the agreement) but … [d]ue to each of the non-South states being customized per state we agreed we would keep the statement general.
“We all really are extremely pleased,” he said. “It is a new day of cooperation and focus.”
(BP, TAB)
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