JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Court of Appeals has denied a motion by the Missouri Baptist Foundation to reconsider and rehear its May 24 ruling, in which the court directed the Foundation to return governance to board members elected by the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC).
The May 24 decision by a unanimous three-judge panel restored governance of the Foundation to the MBC after more than a decade of control by a self-perpetuating board. The Foundation motion asked for rehearing before all 11 judges of the Western District Court of Appeals in Kansas City.
“We are very grateful for the Court’s decisive ruling,” said John Yeats, MBC executive director. “We are eager to welcome the Foundation back into the MBC family, and we look forward to a smooth transition in governance for the benefit of all investors.”
The Foundation may appeal the ruling to the Missouri Supreme Court – its final option after repeated setbacks in the lower courts. After all appeals are exhausted, the case will return to the Cole County judge to supervise the transition to MBC-elected board members.
“Our prayer, and our humble desire before God, is that the Foundation’s self-appointed board would graciously acknowledge the Court’s ruling and end the prolonged legal battles that have been a distraction to the cooperative mission of MBC churches.”