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One of the world's oldest Protestant mission organizations has postponed staff cutbacks for at least another 12 months after receiving its largest legacy ever.
The unprecedented legacy is believed to be around $1.4 million, although the exact figure has not been confirmed, and has allowed BMS (Baptist Missionary Society) World Mission more time to explore how to reduce their current operating deficit.
BMS board members the Rev. David Kerrigan and Jeff Taylor called the sum "a wonderful answer to prayer."
They acknowledged, however, that the legacy is a temporary fix to an otherwise uncertain time for the organization, which specializes in holistic mission in more than 40 countries around the world.
“Although a legacy is a one-off gift and not a source of regular income, it allows time to consider whether new options become available over the coming year,” they said in a statement released Wednesday.
“Importantly, it also enables us to step back from what previously seemed an unavoidable decision to make a number of posts redundant.”
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The board added that it would formally review the position in the summer of 2009.
BMS, founded by William Carey around 1792, originally planned to lay off staff at its headquarters in Didcot, England, and a number of area coordinators as it has struggled to break an average annual deficit of over $561,000 for the last three years. Just one week after the announcement of staff cutbacks, the organization received news that it was one of three Christian charities to benefit from a sizable estate, according to Baptist Times.
Kerrigan told the newspaper: “A one-off gift does not overcome the problem that we are still spending £300,000 more than our income.
“But it helps us to step back and find other ways in which we can close the gap,” he noted.
Mark Craig, BMS Director for Communications, added that the organization remained hopeful that its mission work could continue in spite of uncertainties. Already this week, new mission workers arrived in Africa and Latin America, he said.
"This is what BMS is about, and we are determined to resolve our financial position, to allow us to refocus all our efforts on our mission work."
