Chillicothe — The Baptist Home will seek associate membership in the Baptist World Alliance and explore a partnership in Belarus.
Meeting in Chillicothe on March 7, trustees approved a request for The Home to become a BWA associate member for $500 per year.
The BWA allows Baptist-affiliated groups, such as state conventions, colleges and others, to minister and fellowship through the world body.
Senior adult specialist Frank Fain explained that Home officials considered how to remain autonomous while maintaining a connection to other Baptists. There is nothing in BWA policies that would "interfere with our autonomy," Fain said.
"It gives us an umbrella to work under and an affinity…to other Baptists…. We can be a leader…[because BWA] is in the process of wanting to do more…with retirement," he added.
Trustees also approved allowing board member Margaret Woolley and Home development officer Jim Nelson to make a fact-finding trip to Belarus in July. The pair will explore possibilities of assisting Belarussian Baptists to open a home for the aged on the Kobrin Camp facility.
Roger Hatfield noted Belarus-sians already have formed a board of directors and have arranged funding from churches to staff a facility. Food resources are available at the camp, and a building also may be available.
The Baptist Home staff could help the Belarussians by teaching what they have learned over the years. The staff also could provide professional training and help find additional resources.
In other action, trustees approved hiring former TBH president Larry Johnson as legal liaison in the dispute between the Missouri Baptist Convention and The Home. He will attend hearings and meetings with attorneys on a contract basis.
They also approved a corporate resolution to name board chairman Russell Keeling to act as president in the event current president Steve Jones is incapacitated for any reason.
A policy naming the board chairman as successor already was in place. The executive committee requested the corporate resolution because most financial institutions want a specific individual named. The policy gives the general guideline, and the resolution names specific people.
Board members also approved promotion of Nelson as director of development and communications and Carl Snider as chief financial officer.
Nelson, who has served The Baptist Home for 10 years, had been development officer in charge of communications and public relations. Snider has been serving as director of internal audits and accounts manager. He has been employed at The Home since 1984.
Becky Barton also was named as development coordinator, and former trustee Wade Paris will work part-time as a development officer in the Kansas City area. (03-23-06)
