The search committee of the International Mission Board announced recently the selection of Tom Elliff to be the new president of the IMB. Elliff has a long history of distinguish service to Southern Baptists and to the Kingdom of God.
Elliff knows Baptist life from the inside out when it comes to missions. He served as a missionary in Africa for 20 years. He served as the senior pastor of a large dynamic church in Oklahoma for 20 years, and most recently he has been the senior vice president for spiritual nurture and church relations for the IMB.
From a distance I have observed Elliff to be a godly humble leader. I am personally thrilled by his selection. I believe he has the leadership style and temperament to build on the solid work of Jerry Rankin, and lead our mission efforts into future with innovation and integrity. Since he has serve as President of the SBC, he knows all too well the politics and power struggles that go on behind the scenes, and yet I believe he will have the ability to help us navigate those in a healthy way.
For those who love Lottie Moon and SBC missions, put Elliff’s name high on your prayer list.
He served as a missionary in Africa for two years, not twenty. (1981-1983)
He’s also 66 years old (will be 67 next week); what does that say about him only being a transitional president? Isn’t that telling since the committee had such a difficult time?? Why isn’t anyone picking up on that?
Tom will do a great job. I agree with you he is a great choice. Sounds like Greg is a little upset. I can understand since greg probably has no missionary exp.
Hi Brian,
Being quick to listen and slow to speak may have prevented you from judging my motives or speaking rashly.
(1) I’m an IMB missionary.
(2) I’m not the only IMB missionary that is asking this question.
As an IMB missy I had the exact same question as Greg. Jerry Rankin just retired and is about the same age as Tom Elliff. Tom Elliff retired from the IMB as VP 2 years ago. I talked to some other missys today and everyone said the same thing: I guess the committee went for an extended interim president, because at that age, what else comes to mind? I’m praying for Tom and his wife as well as the IMB. I’m sure he’ll make a good president. Maybe an interim period with his leadership is what’s needed. I just don’t understand why none of the press releases mention anything about that.
Hello J,
I’ve tried to encourage the committee of trustees who will nominate Dr. Elliff to initiate and talk about this age-issue openly; otherwise, there is speculation to the detriment of the work. Some trustees have signaled that they are unwilling to do so. It’s another case of missionaries being kept in the dark with regard to decisions with the IMB. If they would just tell us why he was chosen, most people would be very accepting of (and submissive to) their decision because, as I’m sure you are, we are very excited that things have moved forward with the president issue and the selection of such a great guy (and family).