WHEREAS, 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention; and
WHEREAS, Southern Baptists established what was then known as the Board of Ministerial Relief and Annuities in 1918 to provide care for “old soldiers of the cross” who had answered the call of the Lord without regard to their pay or provision for old age; and
WHEREAS, The founding corresponding secretary, William Lunsford, gave his all, enduring hardship and health challenges; and
WHEREAS, The founding of this ministry would not be possible without the generous gifts of the Sunday School Board and of both John D. Rockefeller Sr. and John D. Rockefeller Jr.; and
WHEREAS, Hundreds of thousands of pastors, missionaries, professors, church workers, hospital employees, and other ministry employees are able to prepare for their latter years’ ministry opportunities during their most fruitful years; and
WHEREAS, GuideStone continues to provide financial support of retired pastors, ministers, church and ministry workers, and their widows in financial need in their declining years through Mission:Dignity; and
WHEREAS, For one hundred years the employees and trustees of GuideStone have served the people of the Southern Baptist Convention with integrity and excellence; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Dallas, Texas, June 12–13, 2018, give thanks to the Lord for birthing the ministry today known as GuideStone Financial Resources in the heart of William Lunsford; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we honor the men and women who have over the past century lived out the vision to create a board dedicated to the needs of the minister of the gospel; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we give thanks to the Rockefeller family for its generosity in providing the financial backing at the start of the ministry; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we give thanks to the Baptist Sunday School Board, now LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, for its initial gift providing the underpinning for the launch of GuideStone; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we give thanks to the hundreds of churches, Sunday school classes, families, and individuals who give through Mission:Dignity to aid retired pastors, ministers, church and ministry workers, and their widows; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we give thanks to the Lord for His blessings and favor bestowed on the ministry for these last one hundred years; and be it further
RESOLVED, That GuideStone will continue to serve pastors and other church and ministry workers with the integrity of our hearts and the skillfulness of our hands (Psalm 78:72); and be it finally
RESOLVED, That we solicit the prayers of Southern Baptists for their continued faithfulness as GuideStone seeks to honor the Lord by being a lifelong partner with its participants in enhancing their financial security as GuideStone enters its second century of service.