An international missions official for the American Baptist Churches USA has announced that a feared recall of missionaries will not happen in 2005.
Last summer, American Baptist leaders said they needed to close a $1.5 million budget gap to prevent the recall.
“A dramatic increase in giving combined with extraordinary cost reductions due to the actions of missionaries and staff have allowed us to avoid a mandatory recall of missionaries this year,” said Charles H. Jones, acting executive director of American Baptist International Ministries, in a Feb. 24 announcement from the denomination.
He said giving through the World Mission Offering and other denominational channels provided more than $1 million in support to his division. In addition, more than a dozen missionaries chose to take part in a “voluntary recall” to reduce costs and have pursued other ministries.
“We praise and thank God for the amazing movement of the Spirit and the generous response of our brothers and sisters in the churches,” said Jones, whose office is in Valley Forge, Pa.
“There is an enormous amount of work to be done, but the testimony of these last few months strengthens our faith and enables us to address the challenges ahead with renewed energy and hope.”
Religion News Service