TBM names Smith executive director, agrees to work with SBTC on disaster relief ministry_30804

Posted: 3/05/04

TBM names Smith executive director,
agrees to work with SBTC on disaster relief ministry

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

AQUILLA–Texas Baptist Men's board of directors named an executive director, signed an agreement to work with Southern Baptists of Texas Convention-affiliated disaster relief units and outlined the group's new meeting schedule.

At a Feb. 26-28 board meeting at Latham Springs Baptist Encampment, retired pastor Leo Smith was elected unanimously as executive director. Smith, who has served in various TBM positions for more than 35 years, had been interim executive director since Jim Furgerson retired from the post in spring 2002.

“I am very humbled by your trust and want to pledge to you, and under God, that I will do all I can to hear his voice and lead Texas Baptist Men in a way that glorifies him,” Smith said, fighting back tears.

“You're Texas Baptist Men. You're the guys who do the work. I want to do like Bob (Dixon, longtime TBM director) says–turn you loose to do what God has called you to do.”

Kevin Walker, TBM president, reported Smith was the unanimous nomination of a committee that studied the organization's history and purpose while prayerfully determining the proper candidate.

“We continue to see God's hand at work,” he said.

Smith accepts the position as Texas Baptist Men attempts to work with volunteers from churches affiliated with two conventions–the Baptist General Convention of Texas and the SBTC–while retaining its unique connection to the BGCT.

In recent years, Texas Baptist Men adopted a fraternal relationship with the SBTC that enables cooperation between TBM and men from churches related to the breakaway convention. At the same time, Texas Baptist Men has continually reaffirmed its “unique” relationship with the BGCT, the primary source of the men's group's funding.

During the February meeting, Smith signed an agreement with the SBTC to outline how TBM will work with disaster relief units owned by SBTC-affiliated churches and associations.

Under the agreement, TBM is the organization the Southern Baptist Convention North American Mission Board calls to minister in large disasters. In turn, TBM can call on SBTC-affiliated units to work under direction of TBM leaders.

Each group can determine if it wants to participate in a particular relief effort.

“The purpose of the document is to grow the kingdom,” said Gibbie McMillan, liaison between the SBTC and Texas Baptist Men. “It is not about names.”

In addition to the agreement with the SBTC, the board voted to explore partnerships with South Africa, England and “cowboy churches” in Texas. The group also is continuing efforts in China, North Korea, Canada and Nicaragua.

The board of directors also responded to a requested study of when TBM should meet by outlining a new meeting format. The TBM board voted to have only one board of directors meeting a year, tentatively to be held in the spring.

TBM will hold seven additional events around the state, including rallies at the BGCT and SBTC annual meetings.

TBM will continue having a booth at both meetings and will participate in breakout sessions as asked. Smith said the changes will give TBM more visibility around the state.

“The direction I sense the Lord moving is getting us out to the churches,” Smith said.

The organization will continue following its current meeting schedule of one yearly convention and board of directors gathering in conjunction with the fall BGCT annual meeting and a spring board of directors meeting until 2005.

In other business, the board of directors voted to hire Don Gibson to serve as men's ministry director on a contract basis as the personnel committee continues looking at the position.

The group also is petitioning the SBC International Mission Board for a missionary to direct TBM work with Hispanic churches.