by john pierce, Executive Editor
News journal board installs directors, officers, emeriti at September gathering WAYNESVILLE, N.C. — “Baptists Today’s greatest strength is the independence and influence of its Board of Directors,” said Executive Editor John Pierce during a dinner event as part of the news journal’s Sept. 19-20 board meeting.
DIRECTORS EMERITI Earlier this year, the Executive Committee created the designations of “director emeritus” and “director emerita” to honor persons who have made significant contributions to the ministry of Baptists Today and continue to provide support and affirmation. The first class was inducted at the Sept. 19 dinner event. Tommy Boland of Alpharetta, Ga., who at the same event was presented the John F. Baugh Laity Award, was designated as director emeritus. Winnie Williams of Clemson, S.C., an author, professor and real estate developer who previously served as chair of the board, was named director emerita. Winnie and her husband Woodie have been faithful supporters, Pierce noted, and were among the first to indicate they had included Baptists Today in their estate planning so their support will continue on into the future. Kirby Godsey, chancellor of Mercer University, was installed as a director emeritus. A quote from Godsey was placed on the cover of the recently published commemorative book, Baptists Today @ 30: “This journal exists, in my judgment, not chiefly so the truth can be heard, but so that anyone’s version of the truth can be questioned.” “The editorial freedom that I enjoy is rooted in that understanding of seeking truth
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Left to right, Tommy Boland, Winnie Williams, Kirby Godsey and Mary Etta Sanders were installed as the first Directors Emeriti. Photo by Ben McDade. Below, Don Brewer of Gainesville, Ga., and Cathy Turner of Clemson, S.C., are the new chair and vice chair of the Baptists Today board. Photo by John Pierce.
and allowing a critical look at what might be mistaken as truth,” said Pierce, expressing gratitude for Godsey’s wise counsel and support. Mary Etta Sanders, a lay leader from Dalton, Ga., was also named director emerita. Pierce described her as a dear friend and faithful supporter of Baptists Today. “Whenever I’m in Mary Etta’s presence, I feel affirmed and more energized about the mission at hand,” said Pierce. “She believes in what we are doing — and her understanding of and appreciation for our ministry rub off on others — including me.”
NEW DIRECTORS Four new directors, including three lay leaders, began first terms on the Baptists Today board. Two other laypersons returned for new terms. Andrew McGill is an active member of First Baptist Church of Chattanooga, Tenn., who helped in the formation of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Tennessee. He is vice president for strategy and business development for Memorial Health Care System in Chattanooga. Donna Wood is a leader in Vineville Baptist Church in Macon, Ga., where she chairs the finance committee. She is vice president of the Macon Accounting Center for Ricoh Americas Corporation.
Jim Strawn is a member of Dunwoody Baptist Church in Atlanta. After retiring from a career in radio, he was recruited by his former pastor, Daniel Vestal, to work in finance with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. He retired from that role in 2004 and now buys, restores and sells old books. David Hull is pastor of First Baptist Church of Huntsville, Ala. He has served in many leadership roles including chair of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s 2012 Task Force. Clem White, an attorney in St. Petersburg, Fla., and Sarah Timmerman, a retired teacher and lay leader in Cairo, Ga., returned to the board after serving six years at an earlier time.
BOARD OFFICERS Outgoing officers, Chairman Walter Shurden of Macon, Ga., and Vice Chairman Bob Cates, were recognized for their service along with directors completing their terms. Incoming officers are Chairman Don Brewer, a lay leader in First Baptist Church of Gainesville, Ga., and Vice Chair Cathy Turner, a member of First Baptist Church of Clemson, S.C. Charles Schaible of Macon, Ga., chairs the Budget/Finance Committee and Jack Glasgow of Zebulon, N.C., chairs the Development/Marketing Committee. BT November 2013