ALPHARETTA, Ga. (ABP) — The head of the Southern Baptist Convention North American Mission Board and three top associates resigned during a called meeting of the agency's board of trustees Aug. 11.
Geoff Hammond
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Trustees convened the special meeting after board leaders identified "serious issues" about the leadership of Geoff Hammond, president of the agency since March 2007.
Board Chairman Tim Patterson, pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla., said details of a seven-hour meeting held in executive session would remain confidential.
Earlier reports said trustee leaders were upset by Hammond's unwillingness to work under constraints imposed after his predecessor stepped down amid allegations of mismanagement and chronic morale problems at the agency based in Alpharetta, Ga.
Patterson said in a statement that three of Hammond's closest associates also would resign. They are Dennis Culbreth, senior assistant to the president; Steve Reid, senior associate to the president for strategy development; and Brandon Pickett, leader of the communications team.
Patterson said Hammond's resignation takes effect immediately.
In May NAMB trustees unanimously approved a resolution affirming Hammond for "exemplary, unique leadership and vision."
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