missions_directors_90803

Posted: 9/5/03

Texas directors of missions meet in first annual session

CEDAR HILL–The Texas Associational Directors of Missions Network held its first meeting Aug. 26-27 at Mount Lebanon Baptist Encampment, with Everett Anthony as guest speaker.

Anthony, former director of missions in Chicago and a former national leader of association work among Southern Baptists, currently serves as a consultant to associations through Urban Church Leadership.

The network is a new organization open to any active director of missions serving a Texas Baptist association.

Anthony contrasted rural and urban associations, as well as the past and future of associations.

“The association of the future must be purpose-driven, must be on a strategic journey and must be needs-based,” he said. “From its unique position, the association is a relationship builder to develop assistance and mutual support among its member churches.

“The association in the future must create a learning environment for its member churches. This future association lives to serve. It will serve its world through the planning and doing of partnership missions.”

Associations also must build networks, he added. “These networks are built to provide whatever it takes for the association to fulfill its purpose.”

Gary Hearon, director of missions for Dallas Baptist Association, was re-elected president of the group. Other officers include Vice Presidents Gene Pepiton of Wichita/Archer/Clay Association, Larry Johnson of Ellis Association and Gary Loudermilk of Denton Association; Secretary-treasurer Rick Ballard of Collin Association; and committee chairmen Jimmie Auten of Greater Fort Hood Association, finance, and Jerry Redkey of Sabine Neches Area, nominating.

Additional information about the network is available at www.txadom.net.