Memphis, Tenn. | James H. Smith, the former IBSA executive director who led the relocation of the Association’s office to its current location, died October 21 at the age of 95.
Smith led IBSA for 13 years, including the move from southern Illinois to Springfield in 1971. During the first year of his tenure as executive director, Cooperative Program gifts in Illinois reached the $1 million mark for the first time.
Smith became president of the Southern Baptist Brotherhood Commission in Memphis in 1979 and served there until his retirement in 1991. During his presidency, the mission agency, which later was folded into the North American Mission Board, developed World Changers, a hands-on missions experience that currently involves more than 20,000 participants every year.
“He was acknowledged by his staff as a leader who placed the role of the local church in the prominent position of providing manpower to reach the world for Christ,” said Jack Childs, former Brotherhood Commission vice president of support services.
Born in Alabama, Smith moved to Illinois as an 18-year-old attempting to enroll in Moody Bible Institute. The Chicago school wouldn’t admit him at first because of his age, lack of funds, and the fact that he had made a profession of faith less than a year before. Smith persisted, auditing classes and working as a janitor until he was accepted as a full-time student.
Smith was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Nona, and one son. He is survived by three children; 16 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.
– With info from Baptist Press