SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (BP)–Martin F. (Marty) King has been named as associate executive director and team leader for the communications, Cooperative Program and public relations team of the Illinois Baptist State Association. He also will be the Illinois Baptist newsjournal’s editor. King begins working at his new position Nov. 1.
King has served as senior director of communications and development for the North American Mission Board since 1997 and as Atlanta bureau chief for Baptist Press.
Prior to his work at NAMB, King served as vice president for institutional advancement for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and director of public relations and development and BP bureau chief for the former Home Mission Board.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated the honor of serving Southern Baptists the past 14 years at NAMB, Midwestern Seminary and the HMB,” King said. “I am especially thankful for the close relationships I’ve developed with the staff at Baptist Press, at state Baptist papers, and with religion and news writers across the country. And now I am humbled to join their ranks as editor of the Illinois Baptist. My wife Barbara and I look forward to returning to the Midwest to minister to and with Illinois Baptists.”
IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams, who worked closely with King at NAMB, said, “Marty brings so much skill and experience to our staff, both as a communications professional and as a strategic and missional thinker.
“He knows more about the Southern Baptist Convention — how and why it works and the history and genius of our cooperative missions efforts — than anyone I’ve ever known personally,” Adams said. “He will be very effective in communicating that vision to our churches. Even more importantly he loves Southern Baptist churches and is committed to our effectiveness for the glory of God. Illinois Baptists will soon love and appreciate this new friend as I do, and realize how fortunate we are to have him serving our churches.”
Prior to joining the HMB, King served 20 years in healthcare marketing and public relations in Indiana as well as vice president of an advertising agency in Indianapolis.
King was born in Illinois and grew up in Indiana. He holds a bachelor of science degree in communications from Indiana State University and a master of science degree in journalism and public relations from Ball State University in Indiana.
At NAMB, King’s responsibilities have included developing and implementing strategies to increase awareness of the mission board’s vision and ministries, coordination of promotion for the national Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, and planning and implementing NAMB’s national news media relations and public relations programs.
The Kings have been married 36 years and have two adult daughters and three grandchildren, all of whom live in Jackson, Tenn.
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Compiled by Art Toalston.
