Last month we had the joy of adding four new members to the One Challenge Board of Directors. Sharon Reed (PA), Dawn Grove (AZ), Jon Hirst (CO), and Thayer Allison (NC) were nominated and accepted during the September 10-12 semi-annual board meetings held in Colorado Springs. “Each of these board members brings a heart for the ministry in addition to ministry skills and willingness to work hard,” says Board Chairman, Dale Micetic. The Board also recognized the end of terms of two tenured board members, Dick McCaskill and Jeff Jensen.

Key Issues in Fall Session

The fall session began with committee meetings where board members addressed various issues facing the mission. They made decisions which were then brought to the whole Board for final approval. Committee meetings included Policy and Governance, Strategy and Ends, and Finance. “This has been an inspiring year as we heard from Dean Carlson, Dick Grady and Eric Smith how God is on the move globally through the ministries of our personnel. This was also a difficult year as we addressed critical issues related to the sustainability of the mission.”

Proposed Budget Discussions

One main topic was the approval of the proposed budget for the next fiscal year. The Finance Committee worked closely with OC staff to finalize a budget based upon more conservative numbers relating to costs and predictable sources of revenue. “It is our plan to adjust our approved budget should we see that giving is better that what has been forecasted, with the result of reducing the expense to each mission worker later in the year,” says Micetic.

Prayer

Please pray for our One Challenge Board of Directors as they seek to fulfill their responsibilities with wisdom, understanding and knowledge. We are grateful for these men and women who love the Lord and give their time and talent to further the kingdom through their role as board members. The next session will be in March 2016.

Role of Board of Directors

The main role of the Board of Directors is to secure the future of the organization. This means positioning the ministry for the greatest long-term contribution to the fulfillment of the Great Commission. The Board accomplishes this through the strategic planning for adequate resources (finances, personnel, partnerships, etc.) and through the provision of strategic leadership for the most effective long term strategy.

The Board acts as trustees on behalf of the “owners” or “stakeholders” of the mission, such as those who support the mission in prayer and finances, including local churches, individuals, and foundations. Additional stakeholders would be the churches in the nations where One Challenge ministers, the mission workers sent by OC, and the employees. The Board’s obligation is to act on behalf of these stakeholders.

Unique to our governance structure, the One Challenge Board sees itself as first responsible to God as the primary ‘owner’ of our mission. To this end, they are committed to prayer and seeking God’s direction in the carrying out of their responsibilities. Essentially, the Board is the bridge between those to whom the board is accountable, the “owners,” and those who are accountable to the board, the President and his staff.