SAN ANTONIO (ABP) -- International Mission Board President Jerry Rankin presented an upbeat report June 12 to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, but he was unable to escape concerns from messengers at the San Antonio, Texas, meeting.

A concern about embezzlement resurfaced when messenger Ron McGowin of Fairfield, Texas, questioned the outcome of a motion he introduced at last year's annual meeting. McGowin's motion had called for an external audit of the Central Asia region's monetary dealings between 1999-2005.

A note in the book of reports said a 2004 audit and “supplemental procedures” on the issue led to “appropriate action” taken by the board. But McGowin, pastor of First Baptist Church in Fairfield, asked why the IMB trustees had decided against the use of external audits.

Rankin responded that an internal audit had been performed, as well as an audit by an outside firm.

“The trustees were involved in the thorough review of this. Policies have been put in place to prevent this from happening again,” he said, noting that the board is honoring its “fiscal responsibility to the convention.”

Another motion presented last year regarding trustee rights brought no discussion from Rankin but was addressed in the book of reports.

The motion, presented by trustee Wade Burleson of Oklahoma, called for an ad hoc committee appointed by the SBC Executive Committee to investigate certain aspects of trustee protocol, including suppression of dissent and coercion into “a particular course of action.”

The reporting book noted that IMB trustees have no authority to question or investigate several of Burleson's concerns, including coercion and the nominating process of IMB trustees. It also noted that “all trustees have opportunity … to express and advocate minority opinions” but that “unified public support” is expected after a majority vote has been reached.

Despite the unrest, Rankin said 2006 was a banner year for the board, with a record Lottie Moon Christmas Offering intake of $150 million.

“Because of your faithfulness in giving, 784 new missionaries were appointed and sent out to the ends of the earth,” he said. “Thank you on behalf of the millions of lost people.”

In 2006, the mission board reached 104 previously unengaged people groups, saw 23,486 churches planted, and led 475,072 people to make first-time professions of faith in Christ, Rankin said.

The North Africa Middle East region -- a “very difficult, difficult area” for the past decade -- saw more new missionaries appointed in 2006 than the last three years combined, he said.

The IMB's long-term plan includes getting the gospel to 2,029 unreached people groups by 2010. It also includes growing the board's missionary force to 8,000 worldwide. The agency currently has more than 5,000 missionaries in the field.

-30-

---

No comments for this article yet...

Subscribe to this comment's feed