International Mission Board (IMB) trustees celebrated a balanced budget, unanimously approving the 2017 budget during their Nov. 10–11 meeting near Richmond, Virginia. Trustees also appointed 50 new missionaries during a Sending Celebration.
“I am pleased to share with you that because of generous giving from Southern Baptist churches to the IMB, disciples have been made and churches have been multiplied over the last year among the nations in truly breathtaking ways,” IMB President David Platt told trustees.
“We have a sense of glad celebration with responsible projections,” Platt said. “As we are communicating to churches, we want to say two resounding words: Thank you.”
The budget presented to trustees represents a reversal in a trend of recent years that has seen a decline of missionaries on the field. The budget proposes an increase in full-time, fully funded missionary appointments for 2017, Platt said, while also opening the door for missionaries to go through other pathways.
The 2017 budget request is balanced with receipts and expenses both projected at $270 million. Rodney Freeman, vice president of support services and IMB treasurer, noted the budget proposal reflects short-term financial responsibility and long-term organizational stability.
Key factors presented with the budget include:
4The budget relies on the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering (LMCO).
4LMCO giving projections for the 2016 calendar year are on pace to be the largest offering in IMB history, with projections the offering could exceed the 2015 record giving by 10 percent.
4The 2017 budget proposal projects growth in fully funded missionaries plus new pathways that take the gospel to all peoples.
New personnel
IMB projects appointing 451 new personnel in 2017, which represents a 3 percent net increase in total field personnel (100 additional field personnel). Of those newly appointed, 351 will replace personnel who retire, complete a mid-term assignment or transition through resignations or other departures. In 2016, 310 missionaries were appointed, bringing IMB field personnel to 3,651. This is down from a high of 5,600 missionaries in 2009.
Freeman also reported that IMB contingency reserves are projected to be at 5.5 months of operational expenses in 2017.
Platt also shared a video of the Cregg family sharing the gospel in South Asia. The video represents the upcoming Dec. 4–11 Week of Prayer for International Missions, which launches the 2016 LMCO emphasis. The appointment of 50 missionaries highlighted the meeting. (IMB, TAB)
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