WHEREAS, New Tribes missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham were, along with twenty others, kidnapped and held hostage for over a year by the Abu Sayyaf, a band of Muslim terrorists; and
WHEREAS, On June 7, 2002, Martin was killed during a rescue attempt by the Philippine military; and
WHEREAS, Southern Baptists have more than 5,000 international missionaries and more than 5,000 domestic missionaries, many of whose lives are in danger daily for the sake of the gospel; and
WHEREAS, Our Lord Jesus Christ has called all Christians to faithful obedience, even unto the point of death; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, June 11-12, 2002, grieve the loss of our brother in Christ and extend our deepest sympathies to Gracia, their three children, and family; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we call on the Philippine government to bring to justice the rebels whose terrorist acts resulted in Martin’s death; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we express profound gratitude to God for the life and ministry of the Burnhams and for all Christian missionaries who daily offer their lives in service to the one true and living God and His Son, Jesus Christ; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we redouble our commitment to encourage and pray for all of our Southern Baptist missionaries, especially those serving in severe and life-threatening situations; and be it finally
RESOLVED, That we commend Martin and Gracia Burnham for their faithful devotion to Christ and encourage all Southern Baptists to follow this courageous example of risking everything for the sake of the gospel, being like all those of whom it will one day be declared: “. . . they overcame [the accuser] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death” (Revelation 12:11).