ATLANTA – The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Foundation Board has announced the selection of James Smith, president of the Missouri Baptist Foundation, as new president of CBFF. Smith will begin his new role on Oct. 1.

Smith, who has been president of MBF since 1993, oversaw unprecedented growth from $54 million to more than $170 million in assets under management. Today, MBF has more than $140 million under management. Under Smith’s leadership, client accounts have grown to nearly 1,200 actively managed accounts.

Smith replaces Don Durham, the Foundation’s president for the past seven years. Daniel Vestal, the Fellowship’s executive coordinator, said Smith’s ministry is vital to the Fellowship’s future growth.

“The Fellowship needs strong support from the CBF Foundation, and the proven leadership and experience of James Smith ensures that the Fellowship will continue to be well-served by the Foundation,” Vestal said. “We look forward to working with Jim and introducing him to churches and other ministry partners whose funds are managed by the Foundation.”

Smith, who is also a former pastor, said he feels God is calling him to do this job and it’s one he’s very passionate about.

“The opportunity to lead the Foundation effort of CBF during a critical time for funding mission and ministry efforts is a great challenge,” Smith said. “CBF is a community of faith that is rich in commitment to global missions and faithfulness to Baptist heritage.”

Smith said he comes to CBF as a learner, not necessarily someone with all the answers.

“I have a rich experience of seeing God at work providing resources for ministry through his people,” he said. “That is the passion and joy of my ministry.”

Smith said he would define a strong Foundation as one that is vitally engaged, positioned to serve, positioned to facilitate gifts to ministry, on the cutting edge of utilizing all the charitable giving strategies available to donors today, trustworthy and competitive in investment performance.

“I believe that leadership together with God’s help must strategically address the resource needs of CBF, of its churches, of CBF missions and ministry partners and especially of global missions in partnership with a strong foundation,” Smith said.

“Foundation leadership in the past has done a superb job. Standing on the shoulders of past leaders, we have the opportunity to take it to the next level.”

Before his time at MBF, Smith was executive vice president of The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma. He has served pastorates in Oklahoma and Texas and more than 30 interim pastorates in churches in Oklahoma and Missouri.

A frequent speaker, worship and conference leader, Smith’s passion for mission and stewardship projects has taken him to South Korea, Belarus, China, Eastern Europe, Mexico, Hong Kong and many locations in the United States. He has consulted with Baptist colleges, mission and ministry organizations in the areas of development, strategic planning and human resources management.

Smith and his wife, Debra, grew up in Miami, Okla. They have a son, Jordan, whose family lives in Lee’s Summit, Mo., and a daughter, Allison, whose family lives in Camdenton, Mo. 

CBF is a fellowship of Baptist Christians and churches who share a passion for the Great Commission and a commitment to Baptist principles of faith and practice. The Fellowship’s mission is to serve Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission.

Learn more about the CBF Foundation at www.cbff.org.