New Leadership at the North American Mission Board

Wednesday October 10, 2007 ~ 6 Comments

Sometimes, I don't know what I think about Geoff Hammond, new President of NAMB. He just does not do things "right."

For instance, he had no "inauguration" but instead was commissioned with other missionaries this week. His picture is hard to find on the NAMB web page. And, he does not leak info like he is supposed to (its a rule, really).

Usually, "everyone knows" who the new leadership of another agency will be before it is made public. That is the way it is done. It is SUPPOSED to be done that way. Not so with Geoff Hammond.

So, much to my surprise, they announced today two new leaders at NAMB: one for Church Planting and one for Evangelism.

Note that I did not call them Vice Presidents-- they no longer have those, it appears, and they are now Senior Strategists. (Did I mention that Hammond also does not appreciate the value of a good denominational title either? Disturbing, indeed.)

The new NAMB guys are good friends and they are GREAT choices...

Anyway, I have permission to blog on it here but be sure to read all the other news outlets tomorrow (grin).

First, Ken Weathersby is the new Senior Strategist for Evangelism.

This is a great choice. Ken and I were both Nehemiah Project professors and I have several of his original writings on my computer. My favorites are his presentations on multiculuralism and his writings on ministry based evangelism. Ken is the real deal. He has served as evangelism leader in Tennessee, taught at New Orleans Seminary, and has a strong church planting background.

Second, David Meacham is the new Senior Strategist for Church Planting.

Another great choice. David is a professor at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and is Director of the Leavell Center. (Want to know who was the Director before David?... read one paragraph up-- it was none other than Ken Weathersby.)

David also does a great (but mildly disturbing) impersonation of his favorite Vegas performer, Bobby Velcro. (One of David's long line of accomplishments is that he was the state exec in Nevada-- and what happens in Vegas does not seem to always stay in Vegas.)

Since both of these guys are my friends, my only complaint is that they lack the character to call me and tell me beforehand so won't have to wonder and worry. Grin.

Since it's hard find Hammond's picture on the NAMB webpage, here he is here:

Well done, Dr. Hammond. It is a good day for NAMB.

Posted on October 10, 2007 at 6:54 PM ~ 6 Comments

Tagged with: hammond, leadership, namb

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6 Comments

By Steve Austin on October 10, 2007 11:03 PM

Dr. Hammond appears to be an humble, hard-working administrator and and a genuine servant of the SBC. So how'd somebody like this slip through the good-old-boy system? There's no evidence of his firing someone for political reasons, blowing through a budget, or getting an agency accreditation thrown into jeopardy.
This is the Southern Baptist Convention, right???

By irreverend fox on October 11, 2007 12:07 AM

Steve,

when was the last time someone asked you to yell, "and that's the bottome line because Stone Cold said so!"?

By Rob Wilton on October 11, 2007 12:36 PM

I have played basketball (Running Hook Meacham), sat in his class, and eaten with him at the cafeteria. I am a huge fan of David Meacham. Great hire. We are going to miss him at NOBTS, but I know he is going to make a great impact with NAMB.

By john mark clifton on October 11, 2007 5:32 PM

YES! I have not been this happy about NAMB/HMB since Larry Lewis put a campaign size 50,000 by 2000 button on my lapel! Really it has been a long, long time since I was this excited about something NAMB has done. These two men are a fantistic match for these jobs! Well Done Dr. Hammond!

By Chip Wheeler on October 12, 2007 12:59 PM

Dr. Meacham is a class act. His ministry to me while at NOBTS was invaluable - it has led me to plant two churches. His catch phrase during class was "We need all kinds of flavors of churches in order to reach the world" - a mentality that all Batists need to have. He understands planters (and he's planted a few himself) and knows the challenges we face. I am excited about Hammond's choice and we are blessed to have people of Meacham's character, background, humility and expertise.

Chip Wheeler

By Bill Curtis on October 14, 2007 8:30 PM

Hey Ed!

Thanks for the great blog about two of our newest NAMB leaders. I'm shocked we were able to keep you in the dark! All kidding aside, these two men represent the face of the new NAMB. I continue to rejoice in the leadership that Dr. Hammond is providing for our agency and in the quality of missions practitioners he is bringing to lead us. I can't wait to see how God will use these men, working together as a unified team, to lead Southern Baptists in sharing Christ, planting churches, and sending missionaries. NAMB's best days are ahead!!!

Bill Curtis
ps. Sorry I missed you last week - I heard you were lurking somewhere! HA

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