# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1954_S115
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Ev. Luth. Synodical Conference of North America, 1954 115

Missionary Board Personnel

The Missionary Board in its plenary session in April of this
year elected the Rev. Paul Boecler to complete the unfinished term
of the Rev. Theo. F. Walther, who, because of various circum-
stances, felt compelled to relinquish his membership. Pastor Wal-
ther has served the Missionary Board as a member for nearly
four decades. God has accomplished much through the efforts of
this servant of Christ, who labored faithfully and conscientiously
and with great consecration for the enhancement of N. egro Missions.

In its plenary meeting the Missionary Board elected the Rev.
Edwin L. Wilson as its new chairman. Pastor Wilson has served
the Missionary Board for more than twenty-five years as secretary
with great devotion to duty. The Rev. Paul Boecler, the new mem-

retary until this convention.

Mr. Chas. E. Groerich, who so efficiently served the Missionary
Board as treasurer since 1939, found it necessary to turn over his
duties as treasurer to his associate, Mr. Russell Rolling.

Statistics

The statistics of our domestic field are presented on the suc-
ceeding pages, and they cover only those stations that are receiv-
ing a subsidy from the Synodical Conference. Congregations that
are fully supported by a District are listed in the District tabula-
tions of the respective Synods.

Re Budget: Memorials

The Mission Board recommends the adoption of the budget
of 1954—1955 as approved by the Plenary Session in April, 1954.

Re Missionary Board Personnel:

We bespeak for the Rev. Theo. F. Walther, former chairman
of the Missionary Board, the best wishes of the Conference and
suggest that a resolution be formulated to this effect; likewise for

Synodical Conference take cognizance of the newly appointed
chairman of the Missionary Board, the Rev. Edwin I. Wilson, in
an appropriate resolution.

Re Building Projects:

The Missionary Board recommends to the Synodical Confer-
ence that the building program, as accepted by the convention of
1952, be put into effect as soon as possible in order to provide the

necessary facilities for proper housing at our two institutions at
Selma, Ala., and Greensboro, N.C.

AFRICA

After repeated appeals from groups of Ibesikpo people in
Calabar Province, West Africa, to bring the “Good news into their
land,” the Missionary Board of the Lutheran Synodical Conference
in 1934 instructed one of its members, the Rev. Edwin L. Wilson,
to journey to London, England, and Belfast, Ireland, for the pur-
pose of consultation with mission authorities regarding the estab-
lishment of Lutheran missions on the Dark Continent, particularly