By Allen Palmeri
Associate Editor
RAYTOWN—The Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) Executive Board heard sobering fiscal reports Oct. 26 and Oct. 28 in a pair of meetings as MBC leaders spoke about their ongoing commitment to spend wisely in a difficult economy.
“This is a no-frills annual meeting for us,” Associate Executive Director Jay Hughes said.
Through the end of September, the MBC’s Cooperative Program (CP) gifts were coming in 9 percent under the budgeted figure for 2009. Projections for the rest of the year would indicate revenue accumulating at a level ranging between $14.9 million and $15.2 million, Hughes said.
Anticipated reserves as of Dec. 31, 2009, will be around $2.9 million, Hughes said, which represents between a four- and five-month level of operating expenses—“a nice cushion still.” Cash flow remains positive.
Chris Rogers, a LifeWay representative, made a presentation Oct. 26 of two books to MBC President Bruce McCoy and his wife, Cindy.
Seven Executive Board members rotated off. They are: Roy Dameron, minister, Concord Baptist Church, Jefferson City; Jeff Anderson, minister, Calvary Baptist Church, Hannibal; Robert Collins, retired minister, Plaza Heights Baptist Church, Blue Springs; Terry Moots, laity, Hillcrest Baptist Church, Lebanon; Ron Turnbull, laity, Elm Grove Baptist Church, Curryville; Ralph Sawyer, minister, First Baptist Church, Wentzville; and Aaron Weibel, minister, New Site Baptist Church, Monett.
Nine new Executive Board members were welcomed, including one who is switching regions for his second term. Larry Fackler, minister, Ozark Baptist Church, Houston, will now serve one term in the South Central Region after serving his first term in the Central Region.
The remaining eight newcomers are: Menk Ferguson, minister, First Baptist Church, Arnold; Larry Gibson, minister, Fellowship Baptist Church, Kirksville; Ned Nugent, minister, Bethany Baptist Church; Monte Shinkle, minister, Concord Baptist Church, Jefferson City; Steve Tanner, minister, First Baptist Church, Mexico; Ronn Brooks, minister, Florissant Valley Baptist Church, Florissant; Ty Harmon, minister, Galloway Baptist Church, Springfield; and Frank Welch, minister, Peno Baptist Church, Bowling Green.
An additional 10 Executive Board members accepted second terms through 2012. They are: Vic Borden, minister, Red Bridge Baptist Church, Grandview; Jesse Cass, minister, Jamesport Baptist Church, Coffey; Doug Clinton, minister, Elvins Baptist Church, Park Hills; Bill Johnson, minister, Calvary Baptist Church, Versailles; Tom Johnson, minister, First Baptist Church, Fredericktown; Marshall Link, laity, Brush Creek Baptist Church, Puxico; Denny Marr, minister, Calvary Baptist Church, Republic; Justin Nelson, minister, South Creek Church, Springfield; Kim Petty, laity, Grace Community Church, Smithville; and Jim Wells, minister, Hopedale Baptist Church, Ozark.
Board members also voted to change the location of their July 12-13, 2010, meeting from the Truman Baptist Student Center in Kirksville to the Baptist Building in Jefferson City.
The next Executive Board meeting will be Dec. 14-15 in Jefferson City.