NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–Jason Pettus, the trustee of the North American Mission Board who in July expressed concern about rumored attempts to remove NAMB president Geoff Hammond from office on Aug. 11, has issued a clarification about his e-mail to fellow trustees, saying he did not send the e-mail to media members.
“The confidential e-mail dated July 29, 2009, which I sent only to my fellow trustees of the North American Mission Board communicating the contents of my conversation with Tim Patterson, chairman of the board of trustees of NAMB, pertaining to NAMB President Geoff Hammond and issuing a call for informed prayer among the entire board of trustees, was not intended for anyone other than the trustees to whom I sent the message,” Pettus wrote. “I want to clarify that I did not authorize or give permission for any recipient to provide my e-mail to anyone else or to publish the contents of said e-mail in any manner.”
Baptist Press received the e-mail from another party, not Pettus, who is pastor of Living Hope Baptist Church in Bowling Green, Ky.
“We, as trustees, need to continue to work together to provide excellent leadership for NAMB, which is an agency critical to Baptist work around the world,” Pettus added in his note of clarification. “I remain prayerful for NAMB as it addresses these important issues and would ask all Southern Baptists and those who desire to see a Great Commission resurgence in North America and all over the world to join in prayer for NAMB and those who lead this significant agency.”
The Aug. 11 meeting of North American Mission Board trustees will convene at 9 a.m. at the North American Mission Board headquarters in Alpharetta, Ga.
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Compiled by Baptist Press assistant editor Mark Kelly.