RICHMOND, Va. — As the
Southern Baptist Convention’s two mission boards continue their respective
searches for presidents, they are asking Southern Baptists to set aside
Saturday, Aug. 28, as a day of prayer and fasting to ask God to direct the
entities’ paths.
Officials with the International Mission Board (IMB) and North American Mission
Board (NAMB) said they are making progress in their searches for the two men
who will oversee their organizations. Each has interim presidents in place —
Clyde Meador for IMB and Richard Harris for NAMB.
Spokesmen for the organizations declined to pinpoint any timetable for their
presidential selections but noted they are entering important phases in the
process.
“This is a critical moment for these two organizations,” said IMB presidential
search committee chairman Jimmy Pritchard.
“It is a critical time for our convention as we find God’s man for IMB and (the
right man for) NAMB.”
Pritchard said there’s nothing special about Aug. 28 other than it is “always a
good time to ask God to speak clearly about who is His choice.
“The search has gone well, and we’re making some good progress … we’ve met with
a number of quality men,” added Pritchard, senior pastor of First Baptist
Church of Forney, Texas, who oversees IMB’s 15-member search committee.
“Of course our timetable would have been to already have made that selection,
but we’d rather be correct than quick.”
Mike Ebert, communications team leader for NAMB, added that its search
committee is “getting close” and hopes to have a decision in the near future.
IMB trustees will meet Sept. 14-15 in Tampa, Fla., while NAMB’s next full board
meeting will be Oct. 19-20 in Los Angeles.
“We are excited about joining with our IMB brothers and sisters for a much
needed and timely prayer emphasis,” Ebert said.
“There’s no better way to demonstrate cooperation and partnership with IMB than
to join our hearts in prayer in this way.”