Meador named IMB interim president after Platt steps down

RICHMOND, Va. (BP)—After David Platt resigned as president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board, effective Sept. 27, the IMB trustees’ executive committee named Clyde Meador as interim president, subject to full board approval.

IMB trustees will meet Sept. 26-27 in Richmond, Va.

Platt has served as IMB president since Aug. 27, 2014. Since September of last year, he also has served as pastor/teacher of McLean Bible Church in metro Washington, D.C.

In February, Platt asked IMB trustees to begin searching for his successor. While requesting that the search for the mission board’s next president begin immediately, Platt stated his intention to continue serving as president during the search process.

“Recently, however, in light of trustee concerns about me serving as a pastor in a church while finishing my service as president of the IMB, trustee leaders asked me to consider stepping down from my position in the near future rather than waiting for my successor to be in place,” Platt said in a statement announcing his resignation.

“I want to honor the authority God has placed over me in every way I can, and I want to do whatever is best for the IMB,” he said.

‘Need for an organizational transition’

Platt served “with resolute steadfastness and has not wavered in his commitment to the Lord, to the IMB, staff, field personnel and Southern Baptists as a whole.” Board Chair Rick Dunbar said in a statement issued Sept. 14.

“Trustee officers recently discussed with David the possibility of the need for an organizational transition to an interim time as the presidential search continues,” said Dunbar, a member of First Baptist Church in Madison, Miss. “The board’s executive committee met, and after prayer and discussion decided to release David from his commitment to the IMB in order to allow him to focus full time on his new role in gospel ministry at McLean Bible Church, and for the IMB to move forward into a transition period.”

In his tenure as president, Platt “led in the global mission task with impeccable integrity, great wisdom, and a deep passion for God, the church and the lost,” Dunbar said. “He is one of the most gifted preachers of this generation.

“Because of his leadership, the IMB has been streamlined as an organization for greater effectiveness in the 21st century,” Dunbar added. “He has led the IMB to solid financial ground, and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering has been as strong as ever.”

Platt pledged his continued prayer support for the IMB and its work.

“As I give myself to global mission as pastor of a local church, I am praying continually for God’s grace in leading trustees to a good, godly leader for the future of the IMB,” Platt said. “Moreover, I am praying continually for God’s blessing on the incredible staff and missionaries of the IMB who comprise a passionate, potent force for the spread of his gospel and his glory among the nations. I am grateful to God, to these brothers and sisters, and to the churches of the SBC for the humbling privilege, pure joy, and undeserved honor of serving in this role over these years.”

After a year and a half in retirement, Meador returned to his current role as executive adviser to the president in January. In his 42 years of service with the IMB, Meador has worked closely with three presidents as an adviser and executive vice president, and he previously served as IMB’s interim president from August 2010 to March 2011.

He and his wife Elaine were appointed as missionaries to Indonesia in 1974. Their service also included leadership in South Asia, Southeast Asia and Central Asia before joining the IMB’s leadership team in Richmond in 2001.

“Clyde’s walk with the Lord, humility, wisdom, broad experience and steady leadership will prove valuable during the time of transition,” Dunbar said.