Mission Board Appoints Team Leader, Approves New Funding for Foundation 05/07/2008 BAGDAD - Kentucky Baptist Convention Mission Board members appointed Alan Witham as Church Development Team leader and approved additional funding sources for the Kentucky Baptist Foundation during the annual spring meeting at Cedarmore Conference Center in Shelby County, May 5-6. The board also approved definitions for the Cooperative Program and Cooperative Program gifts, as well as budget recommendations for 2008-2009. Bill Mackey, KBC executive director, thanked board members for the care he received during a recent month-long hospital stay for treatment of an intestinal bacterial imbalance. He resumed part-time work on April 14, and is planning to return to the office full-time by mid-May. “I’m grateful to say God was my constant companion through all those hours in the hospital,” said Mackey. “It’s a privilege for me to praise the Lord. I’d like for Kentucky Baptists to be a people of praise to God.” Witham Named Team Leader After serving for seven months in the interim role, Witham was appointed as team leader for the KBC’s Church Development Team, effective May 16. Prior to the promotion, Witham had been serving as regional church development strategist and strategist coordinator since 2003. He joined the KBC in 2000 as an associate in church planting and multi-housing ministries. Witham is a graduate of Campbellsville University and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Kentucky Baptist Foundation Gains Additional Funding In response to a request by the Kentucky Baptist Foundation for an increased funding base, board members approved a recommendation to grant the Foundation access to two new sources of funding. The recommendation did not meet the request for an annual increase of $372,000, but instead granted the Foundation the authority to retain 25 percent of any undesignated bequest to the Foundation with the balance going to the Cooperative Program endowment fund. Previously, all of those types of funds were allocated by the Mission Board to the Cooperative Program endowment fund. The Mission Board will also make available up to $40,000 in additional year-end funds from sources other than excess Cooperative Program and Restricted Kentucky Only funds for fiscal year ending August 31, 2008. Beginning in fiscal year 2009-2010, $40,000 in additional annual funds for the Foundation will be included in the budget, with funds coming proportionately from all other Cooperative Program recipients. The recommendation came from the Kentucky Baptist Foundation Study Committee, a special committee appointed to research and respond to the Foundation’s request. Other Actions - The KBC Mission Board approved the detailed $24 million budget for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. - Board members approved a recommendation to adopt the Southern Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program definition, along with an additional clarification statement defining a CP gift. Both definitions will be presented as a recommendation to Kentucky Baptist messengers at the annual meeting, Nov. 10-11. - Board members approved a new structure for the KBC’s Partnership Missions Department that will enable the department to mobilize churches for missions efforts throughout the world rather than through targeted partnerships with select countries or regions. The new structure is designed to better complement the strategies of the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board and North American Mission Board. - Nine new Mission Board members were approved to serve unexpired terms, and three trustees were approved for service on the boards of Kentucky Baptist agencies and institutions. The board member appointments are as follows: Wayne Walters of Pineville (Bell County Association) will fill the 2010 unexpired term for Region 8; Gary Brooks of Pineville (Bell County Association) will fill the 2008 unexpired term for Region 8; Douglas Simpson of Versailles (Elkhorn Association) will fill the 2008 unexpired term for Region 6; Jimmy Brown of Water Valley (Graves County Association) will fill the 2010 unexpired term for Region 1; Tom McKim of Fredonia (Little Bethel Association) will fill the 2008 unexpired term for Region 2; Larry J. Baker of Russellville (Logan Todd Association) will fill the 2008 unexpired term for Region 3; Susie Stivers of Shelbyville (Shelby County) will fill the 2009 unexpired term for Region 4; Tommy Floyd of Monticello (Wayne County Association) will fill the 2009 unexpired term for Region 7; Jason Sipes of Hickman (West Kentucky Association) will fill the 2010 unexpired term for Region 1. Rusty Ellison of Louisville will fill the 2008 unexpired term as trustee for the Kentucky Baptist Assemblies; Dean Warren of Bowling Green will fill the 2008 unexpired term as trustee for the Kentucky Baptist Foundation; Lester Watson of Cadiz will fill the 2010 unexpired term for the Kentucky Ethics League. - Board members approved a recommendation from the Administrative Committee to dissolve the Kentucky Baptist Archives Advisory Board and simultaneously recognized the creation of a new independent Kentucky Baptist Historical Society that will continue to preserve the history of Kentucky Baptists. The new society will be called the J.H. Spencer Historical Society. - Board members also heard reports from board committees, the Western Recorder, Campbellsville University, the University of the Cumberlands, Georgetown College and Clear Creek Baptist Bible College. The next KBC Mission Board meeting is scheduled for Nov. 10, 2008 at Immanuel Baptist Church in Lexington. - 30 - Photos available for download: - Alan Witham named team leader: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2340/2473808574_e047503a3c_b.jpg CUTLINE: Mission Board members appointed Alan Witham as Church Development Team leader. L-R: Chip Pendleton, pastor of Westport Road Baptist Church in Louisville; Wesley Noss, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Versailles; Alan Witham, newly-appointed Church Development Team leader; and KBC President Bill Henard pause for prayer following Witham's affirmation as team leader. - Dr. Mackey addresses Mission Board members: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3110/2472984355_d6dff47d27_b.jpg CUTLINE: Bill Mackey, KBC executive director, addresses Mission Board members, thanking them for the care he received during a recent month-long hospital stay for treatment of an intestinal bacterial imbalance. He resumed part-time work on April 14, and is planning to return to the office full-time by mid-May. Release prepared by Kristie Randolph, KBC Communications