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After several months of a nationwide search, on May 19, 2009 The Mission Society Board of Directors elected the Rev. Dick McClain as The Mission Society’s next president. McClain will assume the role of president on December 1, 2009, becoming the fifth president of The Mission Society since its inception in 1984. He follows in this office the Rev. Dr. Phil Granger, who has served as The Mission Society’s president/CEO since December 2001, and will retire the end of this year.

Of McClain’s nomination, Granger commented, “Dick brings to the position of president three essential gifts. First and foremost, Dick brings his total commitment to Christ and the mission entrusted to the church to be the vehicle to bring God’s message of salvation and eternal life to the world. Second, he brings his love for The Mission Society as evidenced by more than 20 years of service to this fantastic ministry. Third, he brings a wealth of experience as a missionary kid, pastor, and mission executive. I firmly believe that the experience God has given him was in preparation for the challenges that lay ahead in this rapidly changing world. I am excited about the future of The Mission Society with Dick at the helm!”

McClain began his career with The Mission Society in 1986 as director of missionary personnel. In this role, he was responsible for recruiting and processing all missionary candidates, and during his tenure, the number of missionaries serving under The Mission
Society grew from 14 to more than 125. In 1995, McClain became vice president for mission ministries, overseeing The Mission Society’s international ministries in more than 25 countries. He was named vice president for church ministry in 2000; in this role, he developed a unique approach to mobilizing local churches both in the United States and abroad for strategic global outreach.

The son and grandson of missionaries, McClain was born in China and grew up in India and Hong Kong. Prior to joining the staff of The Mission Society, he served as the youth minister of Crossroads Bible Church, an interdenominational congregation in the Panama Canal Zone. An ordained United Methodist minister, he served pastorates in West Michigan for 11 years. During that time, he led the West Michigan United Methodist Renewal Fellowship and directed an area-wide yearly conference on the Holy Spirit. From 1986 to 2005, McClain served on the board of directors of Good News, an organization working for theological and spiritual renewal within The United Methodist Church. His international ministry has taken him to numerous countries in the Caribbean, Central and South America, Africa, Asia, and Europe.

McClain earned a B.A. in psychology from Asbury College before attending Asbury Theological Seminary to pursue a M.Div. with special emphasis in missions. He is a member of Theta Phi, an international honors society for theological students.

McClain’s areas of expertise include motivating and equipping local churches for more effective and strategic outreach – locally, nationally, and globally. He also has extensive personal experience in mobilizing local churches in missions, and broad involvement in international mission movements. McClain also shepherded several of The Mission Society’s new fields, including the groundbreaking work done by The Mission Society in Kazakhstan.

McClain has published several articles in Good News, is a frequent contributor to Unfinished, the quarterly publication of The Mission Society, and is the editor and primary author of the Global Outreach Seminar, a missions seminar developed to help educate and equip local churches in the United States and abroad.

McClain married his college sweetheart, Pam, and the couple has three married children: Josh (and Amita), Heather McClain Wilson (and Steve), and Joey (and Ashley). They also have five grandchildren (Ian, Tyler, Matthew, Eden, and William). He loves the outdoors, especially when he’s running, skiing, camping, hiking, or traveling.