Piper Institute names Brooks executive director

Posted: 11/11/05

Piper Institute names Brooks executive director

The Piper Institute for Church Planting has named E.B. Brooks, who retired recently after 26 years with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, as the organization's executive director.

Brooks, who led the BGCT church missions and evangelism efforts, has served on the Piper Institute for Church Planting board since its beginning.

“I know of no one in Baptist life who is more qualified to lead the Piper Institute,” board Chairman Bill Nichols said. “Dr. Brooks is one of the nation's leading church-planting strategists, and the Piper Institute is assisting as churches are being started in record numbers throughout Latin America. What a great match.”

The institute, named for Christian philanthropists Paul and Katy Piper, focuses on planting churches in Latin America.

Veteran Texas Baptist church planter Otto Arango, president of the Union of Latin American Baptists, will continue to serve as president of the institute.

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Global Missions recently signed a two-year partnership agreement with the Piper Foundation and the Union of Latin American Baptists to start churches in Central and South America.

“I am truly challenged by this task. It affords unique opportunities,” Brooks said. “The current ministries are only a beginning, a foundation, for what can be done. I look forward to seeing the work enlarged to include spiritual formation and leader training for the new churches. There is so much to do in Christian ministry to the nations. There is an open door to being involved in many helpful ways.”

“Many Baptist and other evangelical ministries are at work in Latin America. I look forward to networking and partnering with as many as are interested in doing so. And beyond Latin America is a world waiting for compassionate involvement by the people of God.”

BGCT Executive Director Charles Wade praised the institute's choice of Brooks as its executive director.

“He is passionate about getting the gospel to the lost world, and he knows that new churches are the key to penetrating a dark world with the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ,” Wade said.

“He helped us establish a unique partnership with Mexico Baptists, and this work will grow even stronger because of the new opportunity for partnership.”

Paul Powell, dean of Baylor University's Truett Theological Seminary said, “E.B. Brooks is an excellent choice, because no person in our convention is more knowledgeable of our work, more loved and respected by our pastors and churches than he.”