Cox Named MSC Missionary of the Year 07/01/2008 LOUISVILLE - The Kentucky Baptist Convention has selected Shirley Cox of Mount Vernon as Kentucky’s 2008 Mission Service Corps Missionary of the Year. Mission Service Corps missionaries are self-funded missionaries who are commissioned by the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Since 2002, Cox has served as a photographer and journalist for Kentucky Baptists. A native of Eastern Kentucky, Cox says she began writing to tell the stories of “ordinary people that God is using in extraordinary ways to impact the lives of others.” As an MSC missionary, Cox reports on the ministry efforts of Kentucky Baptists, primarily in Eastern Kentucky. “Many ministries and missionaries in Kentucky have been encouraged and strengthened through the gifted writing of Shirley Cox,” said Eric Allen, director of the KBC’s Mission Service and Ministries Department. “She is an example of how God can take something as small as an ink pen and use it for His glory.” Cox’s articles are frequently featured in missions newsletters for the Kentucky Baptist Convention. Her work has also appeared in the Western Recorder, the KBC’s weekly newspaper, and in magazine publications such as “Missions Mosaic,” “On Mission,” and “Altitude.” Each year, the KBC recognizes an MSC Missionary for his or her commitment to and effectiveness in ministry, evangelism or church planting. As the state honoree, Cox will serve as Kentucky’s nominee for the National Missionary of the Year award to be presented by the North American Mission Board this summer. Cox and her husband Bud have two children and two grandchildren. The Kentucky Baptist Convention is a cooperative missions and ministry organization made up of more than 2,400 autonomous Baptist churches in Kentucky. A variety of state and worldwide ministries are coordinated through its administrative headquarters in Louisville, Ky. including: missions work, disaster relief, ministry training and support, church development, evangelism and more.