IMB trustees honor Rankin,
take action on GCR report

By Don Graham International Mission Board Richmond, Va.—International Mission Board trustees moved toward the future while honoring the past during their July 20-21 meeting in Richmond, Va. Trustees voted unanimously to recommend modifying the agency’s primary ministry assignment to reach people groups globally, including North America, and formally recognized Jerry Rankin for 40 years of service. The meeting was Rankin’s last as IMB president. Trustees honored Rankin with the title of president emeritus and paid tribute to his 23 years on the mission field and 17 years as the mission board’s president during a banquet in his honor. Al Gilbert, a former assistant to Rankin who now is pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, N.C., described the outgoing president as a man of vision and passionate prayer, intensely focused on the singular goal of making Christ’s name known among all peoples.

SAYING GOODBYE Jerry and Bobbye Rankin chat with North Carolina trustee Rick Byrd during the July 20-21 International Mission Board trustees meeting in Richmond, Va. It was Rankin’s final board meeting as IMB president.

“You’ve poured out your life. It’s been a sweet aroma to heaven’s throne, and I’m glad I could be nearby and watch you do it,” Gilbert said.

Rankin, who will retire July 31, was joined by his wife, Bobbye, in expressing gratitude for those with whom they’ve served.

“It’s not about a job, a title or responsibility—it’s all about relationships and what each of you has invested in who we are,” Rankin said.

Rankin shared how God had called him to faith in Christ and to missions at age 10 during a Billy Graham crusade in Jackson, Miss. “I remembered thinking, ‘I wish everyone in the world could know Jesus.’”

He added that one of his greatest disappointments as president is leaving the IMB without bringing gospel access to all of the world’s people groups—a task he’d hoped to see achieved by the end of his tenure.

“That’s the goal we’re striving for,” Rankin stressed. “We’re not there yet, but as I leave the future is in your hands, and I pray that you would maintain that focus and be found faithful in the task.”

As for who will permanently fill Rankin’s shoes, the presidential search committee still has not chosen a candidate to present to trustees.

Clyde Meador, IMB executive vice president, will step in as interim president Aug. 1 while trustees serving on the search committee continue their work. Trustee chairman Jimmy Pritchard, who leads the search committee, said progress is being made.

“God will make His man known to us at the right time,” said Pritchard, pastor of First Baptist Church of Forney, Texas. “We have a good heart, our committee is together and committed to finding God’s man. We’re just not quite there yet.”

In addition to honoring Rankin, trustees took action on recommendations from the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force report, which was approved by messengers at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting last month.

Trustees voted unanimously to recommend that the SBC’s Executive Committee modify the IMB’s primary ministry assignment, removing wording that excludes the organization from working with people groups in North America.

“The world continues to change, and unreached people groups aren’t defined by geographic boundaries,” said Gordon Fort, IMB’s vice president for global strategy. “Our strategies and structures must also change if we want to maintain an effective gospel witness. Historically, there’s been a clear distinction between home and foreign missions, but those lines are blurring.” (BP)

Western Recorder issue date: July 27, 2010