MethodistThinker.com

The Rev. Dick McClain has been chosen as the next president of The Mission Society, the Methodist-led missionary-sending agency founded 25 years ago. The Society now has more than 225 missionaries serving in 32 nations around the world.

The Rev. Dick McClain

Mr. McClain, who has served as The Society’s vice president for church ministry since 2000, will succeed Dr. Phil Granger, who is retiring at the end of this year.

“Dick brings [to the presidential post a] total commitment to Christ and the mission entrusted to the church to…bring God’s message of salvation and eternal life to the world,” Dr. Granger said of his newly named successor “He [also] brings his love for The Mission Society, as evidenced by more than 20 years of service to this fantastic ministry.”

Mr. McClain, the son and grandson of missionaries, was born in China and was raised in India and Hong Kong. Later, after earning a degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky (USA), he served as a United Methodist pastor in West Michigan.

He began his career with The Mission Society in 1986 and became vice president for mission ministries 1995, with responsibility for overseeing the agency’s international ministries. Nine years ago, he was named vice president for church ministry, with the task of mobilizing local churches (PDF) for global outreach (related video here).

Mr. McClain will assume his duties as The Mission Society’s new president on Dec. 1, 2009.

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Use the audio player below to listen to a 2008 interview with Dick McClain, produced by Mission Network News (11 min.).

The Mission Society was founded in January 1984 under the name, The Mission Society for United Methodists.

In celebration of 25 years of ministry, The Society is sponsoring an open house on Sept. 11 at the agency’s headquarters in Norcross, Georgia, followed by a reception, banquet, and program at nearby Norcross First United Methodist Church (registration details here). Seating for the banquet is limited to 350.