News Board Seeks to Move Forward While Halting Losses

December 9th, 2011

Antioch, TN—The eight members of the Board of Free Will Baptist International Missions met December 7-8, 2011, in the Mission’s office in Antioch, Tennessee. The two-day, intensive session, bathed in frequent prayer, yielded encouraging reports, positive actions, and difficult decisions.

Jeff Turnbough, director of field operations, took the board members on an inspiring virtual tour of the IM world, highlighting many opportunities our missionaries and ministry partners currently are witnessing, in spite of the economic crisis the Mission is facing. “Our missionaries are working effectively and God is blessing in unprecedented ways,” Jeff stated.

Joel and Lydie Teague were appointed as two-year, short-term interns to France. Currently, the couple lives and works in France and will travel to the States in 2012 to raise ministry awareness and funds.

“Even in the midst of continued financial challenges,” Board Chairman Danny Williams emphasized, “I am optimistic. God is working in marvelous ways globally and I am confident people within our denomination will respond financially to ensure the gospel continues to be made known around the world.”

The board voted to approve a $6.1 million budget for 2012, a full $1.15 million less than the initial framework budget adopted in April 2011. The board instructed General Director Clint Morgan to develop action plans for coping with further financial deficits. He is to present these to the board for review and approval as soon as possible.

In an ongoing effort to end financial shortfalls and to rebuild cash reserves, the board voted to postpone sending all new missionaries as well as veteran missionaries currently on stateside assignment to their fields of service until “cash reserves reach a sustainable level of 10% of the operational budget.” The board voted to implement this strategy as an ongoing standard policy. Exceptions may be made on an individual basis with the approval of both the general director and the board chairman if a failure to return to the field of service will result in a legal, career-altering situation. “All those currently slated for stateside assignment in 2012 will still return to the States,” affirmed Clint Morgan. “We need all hands on-deck, sharing the marvelous work God is doing through Free Will Baptists and encouraging our people to pray and give.”

All board members were present for the two-day session: Nelson Henderson (AR), Jeff Manning (NC), Greg McAllister (CA), Tom McCullough (MI), Rob Morgan (TN), Mark Price (OH), Danny Williams (AL), and Randy Wilson (OK).