ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)—In remarks to some 250 staff members of the North American Mission Board on Jan. 8, President Geoff Hammond asked NAMB team leaders to operate at 90 percent of their approved budgets during 2009.
However, Hammond said funds committed to God's Plan for Sharing, the Southern Baptist Convention's evangelism emphasis, would not be affected. State cooperative budgets also will not be subject to the 90 percent spending level but will operate according to normal state funding practices.
Carlos Ferrer, the NAMB's chief financial officer, said in comments to Baptist Press, “In light of continuing economic trends, the North American Mission Board leadership believes good stewardship requires that we be proactive in planning for potential changes in revenue during 2009.”
In addition to the 90 percent spending level, Ferrer said NAMB also would evaluate and monitor closely hiring for any staff vacancies.