GuideStone presidential search committee welcomes additional recommendations
By Roy Hayhurst
DALLAS (BP) – GuideStone President O.S. Hawkins asked trustees to begin the process of identifying his successor in September.
No timeline has been set regarding Hawkins’ eventual retirement. He assumed the presidency of GuideStone in 1997 and has seen the ministry grow into the sponsor of the largest faith-based mutual fund family in the U.S. Including the mutual funds, GuideStone has almost $18 billion in assets under management as of Sept. 30. Mission:Dignity has raised more than $150 million during his tenure.
The committee has extended the deadline to submit recommendations and resumes to Jan. 15, 2021. Resumes or recommendations can be sent via email to [email protected] or through the mail to Timothy E. Head, Executive Officer of Denominational and Public Relations, c/o GuideStone, 5005 LBJ Freeway, Ste. 2200, Dallas, TX 75244.
“We know the Lord, in His timing, will draw us to the man He has identified to take GuideStone into its next era of service,” said Steve Dighton, chairman of the presidential search committee. “We covet the prayers of Southern Baptists throughout this process.
“Already the committee has received many qualified recommendations. We, as a committee have been diligently praying and working together in an incredible spirit of unity as we have begun this process.”
In addition to Dighton, a retired pastor, committee members include:
- Randall Blackmon, pastor
- David Cox, layman, who has served as treasurer of the Greater Detroit Baptist Association and as secretary of the Michigan African American Fellowship
- Jim Scrivner, attorney
- David Rainwater, dentist
The committee also includes trustee board Chairperson Renée Trewick of New York and trustee board Vice Chairman Johnny Hoychick of Louisiana as ex officio members.
IMB missionaries and staff give more than $800,000 to LMCO
By Ann Lovell
IMB missionaries and staff pledged $802,700 to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering through an internal campaign that began Sept. 23 and ended Nov. 30. The campaign, which allowed missionaries and U.S.-based staff to make their pledges confidentially, indicates their high level of commitment to the Revelation 7:9 vision and sets an example for Southern Baptists, said IMB President Paul Chitwood.
“Our IMB missionaries around the world and our stateside support staff wanted to lead by example as we asked Southern Baptists to give more generously than ever before to get the Gospel to the nations. And I’m proud to say that is happening!” Chitwood said.
The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering supports more than 3,500 IMB missionaries and their 2,880 children. This year’s goal is $175 million in celebration of IMB’s 175 years of uninterrupted witness among the nations. Last year, the IMB received $159.5 million from the Lottie Moon offering. A $175 million offering would be the largest LMCO offering ever received by the IMB. These funds will help move the organization toward its 2025 target of sending an additional 500 fully funded missionaries.
“I’m grateful for the sacrificial giving of our IMB family and trust it will inspire Southern Baptists again to join us in giving through this year’s Lottie offering,” Chitwood said.
