Recall of American Baptist missionaries averted by "dramatic increase" in giving

(RNS) An international missions official for the American Baptist Churches USA has announced that a feared recall of missionaries will not happen in 2005.

Last summer, American Baptist leaders said they needed to close a $1.5 million budget gap to prevent the recall.

"A dramatic increase in giving combined with extraordinary cost reductions due to the actions of missionaries and staff have allowed us to avoid a mandatory recall of missionaries this year," said Charles H. Jones, acting executive director of American Baptist International Ministries.

He said giving through the World Mission Offering and other denominational channels provided more than $1 million in support to his division. In addition, more than a dozen missionaries chose to take part in a "voluntary recall" to reduce costs and have pursued other ministries.