MBCB Executive Committee Meeting: Bankston approved as new Mississippi State BSU Associate Director

By Megan Young
Editor

The Executive Committee of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board (MBCB) met April 28 and unanimously approved Jonah Bankston as the new Baptist Student Union (BSU) Associate Director at Mississippi State University (MSU). He will begin his new role July 1.

Presently serving as the BSU Director at Mississippi University for Women, Bankston will replace the current MSU BSU Associate Director, Daniel Herndon, as he takes the helm upon the retirement of longtime Director, Michael Ball.

Bankston surrendered to ministry while serving as a student on the MSU BSU leadership team and feels uniquely called and equipped to step into the role as Associate Director.

“I simply could not be more excited nor thankful for this opportunity to return to MSU BSU to serve in a ministry that changed my life!” said Bankston. “Over the past 5 years at The Mississippi University for Women and East Mississippi Community College BSU, I’ve witnessed God work in hundreds of students’ lives, grown in my own walk with the Lord, and watched my family grow and be provided for through the faithfulness of God.”

Having been discipled as a student at the Southwest Mississippi Community College BSU, where Herndon was Director at the time, Bankston already has the relational foundation to join the MSU BSU team.

“Jonah is enthusiastic about connecting with students, has a heart for evangelism, and has an unexplainable affection for the place we are recommending he serve,” said Shawn Parker, Mississippi Baptist Convention Board Executive Director-Treasurer, in recommending Bankston to the Executive Committee. “He has a longtime relationship with Daniel that should prove beneficial in this ministry.”

Bankston has a Bachelor of Science degree from MSU and and Master of Arts degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his family are members of Fairview Baptist Church in Columbus.

90-Day Reserve Account

As previously authorized by Executive Committee action, the MBCB currently maintains a 90-Day Reserve Account for all Cooperative Program (CP) budget allocations. 

Having a firm conviction and desire to enhance present-day funding for missions and ministries through the Cooperative Program, while also maintaining and observing best business practices for contingencies and cash-flow purposes, the Executive Committee approved the following MOTION:

“With a stated long-term goal of establishing a 90-Day Reserve account related to the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board’s Cooperative Program (CP) ministries reflected in the approved annual CP Budget(s), the Executive Committee hereby authorizes the annual disbursement of $650,000 from the Board’s current all-inclusive 90-Day Reserve account. These disbursements shall be applied each year to the Convention approved Cooperative Program budgets over the course of the next five years (2027–2031). Prior to budget planning for the fiscal year 2032, the Executive Committee and/or 100 Member Board shall re-evaluate the approach, and either affirm the continuation thereof or modify the disbursements as deemed necessary.”  

This approach will reduce the current 90-Day Reserve Account to approximately one-third of its current balance, while also enhancing all Cooperative Program supported missions and ministries through systematic annual disbursements.

Other business

Evan Lenow, President-Elect of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), was invited to address the Executive Committee to share his vision for the entity’s future. The committee closed the meeting with prayer for Lenow and the ERLC.