Baptist Briefs: Marse Grant dies

James Marse Grant, editor emeritus of the North Carolina Baptist Biblical Recorder, died Oct. 17 at his home, in Raleigh, N.C. He was 88. Grant served as editor of Charity and Children, publication of Baptist Children’s Home of North Carolina, from 1949 to 1959. He was editor of the Biblical Recorder from 1959 to 1982. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marian Gibbs Grant; three daughters, Susan Rawls of Statesville, N.C., and Marcia Morton and Carol Potter, both of Raleigh; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; a brother, Truett A. Grant of Greensboro, N.C.; and a sister, Carolyn G. DeLapp, also of Greensboro. 

Former BWA women’s leader dies. Edna Lee de Gutiérrez of Mexico, a former vice president of the Baptist World Alliance and a past president of the BWA women’s department, died Oct. 5. Gutiérrez was involved in Baptist work in Latin America throughout her life. She served as president of the Mexican Baptist Youth Union, president of the Nicaraguan Baptist Convention, and president of the Baptist Women’s Union of Latin America. Her husband, Rolando Gutiérrez, was pastor of churches in Managua, Nicaragua, and Horeb Baptist Church in Mexico City. After an earthquake hit Mexico City in 1985, she led the women of Horeb Baptist Church to transform the church facility into a rescue center—feeding a hot meal to 6,000 people a day for three months and caring for 45 families living in tents. After her husband’s death in 1997, she served as pastor of Horeb Baptist Church more than 18 months. Gutiérrez served on the BWA’s general council, executive committee and church leadership commission. Gutiérrez is survived by three children. 

Messages requested for Graham birthday. Family and friends of Billy Graham are soliciting stories from people whose lives have been changed by the evangelist’s ministry, and they plan to deliver them to him on his 90th birthday, Nov. 7. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has set up a website —BillyGraham90.com— where people can send Graham stories, birthday greetings or simply a note of thanks to the man who likely has preached the gospel to more people than anyone in history. Messages to Graham also can be mailed to: Billy Graham’s 90th Birthday, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C. 28201. The deadline for submissions is Nov. 1.

New Orleans seeks associational missions director. The Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans is seeking a full-time director of missions to oversee the ministries of the association, which is undergoing significant organizational changes in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In May, the association adopted a strategy plan, called the 2020 Vision, as its guide. The 2020 vision strategy plan, along with a detailed job description for the associational post, can be viewed and downloaded at www.bagnola.org, and resumes can be sent by e-mail to Lynn Gehrmann at [email protected]. The selection committee will begin reviewing applicants the first week of November. The association has received “so much loving ministry from Baptists across the U.S.A. in the three years since Katrina, and we are eternally grateful,” said veteran Director of Missions Joe McKeever. “We will appreciate continued prayers for the churches of our association, as we go forward in rebuilding the city and bringing the gospel of Christ to our people.”