Missouri DOM, IMB executive to receive MBTS alumni kudos

Missouri DOM, IMB executive to receive MBTS alumni kudos

May 25, 2004

KANSAS CITY – James H. (Jim) Wells, Tri-County Baptist Association director of missions, will receive one of two Alumni of the Year Awards handed out by Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary at its national alumni luncheon at the Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) annual meeting June 15-16 in Indianapolis.

Clyde Meador, executive vice president of the SBC’s International Mission Board (IMB) also will receive the Alumni of the Year Award.

Wells entered the pastorate in 1966 and for the past 38 years has served in key positions in the Missouri Baptist Convention as well as the SBC. He has served in the Tri-County Association position since 2000 and in 2002 was elected — and presently serves as — the SBC’s registration secretary.

One pastor in the Tri-County Association, Doug Richey of First Baptist Church, Clever, describes Wells as an example to both current and future students at Midwestern of how one can serve Christ faithfully at the local church, associational, state and national levels.

“He is theologically driven which by necessity fuels his passion for evangel­ism,” Richey said. “He is a Midwestern alumnus of whom we can all be proud.”

The seminary bestows the annual awards to those who have excelled in ministry and have remained prayerfully and financially supportive of the mission of the seminary. This year’s national alumni luncheon will be held in Indianapolis June 16.

Meador was named executive vice president of the IMB in November after having served briefly as interim. Prior to that, he was associate vice president for administration for IMB’s Office of Overseas Operations. Meador and his wife, Elaine, were appointed as IMB career missionaries in 1974 and for 27 years served in several leadership positions throughout Asia.

“Dr. Meador represents and embodies the focused and earnest commitment to world evangelism that we believe permeates the purpose of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary,” said Phil Roberts, Midwestern president.

Honorary Alumni of the Year awards will be presented to Max Barnett, retired director of the University of Oklahoma Baptist Student Union; Gene Downing, current Midwestern trustee and his wife, Jo Downing; and Charles S. Kelley Sr., former Midwestern trustee and his wife, Doris Kelley.

For more information on the national alumni luncheon in Indianapolis , contact Midwestern Seminary’s Institutional Advancement office at 816-414-3722 or toll-free at 877-414-3722. Thanks to a special gift of encouragement by Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary graduate Russell Shinpoch and First Baptist Church of Snellville, Ga., there will be no charge for this year’s luncheon. However, seating is limited to 150.