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NORCROSS, Ga. – The Rev. Max Wilkins was installed as the seventh president of The Mission Society (www.themissionsociety.org) at a ceremony on Tuesday, May 6, at Simpsonwood United Methodist Church in Norcross, Ga.

Wilkins will officially assume his duties June 1. He takes over from the Rev. Dick McClain, who is retiring after nearly three decades of ministry.

During the past 10 years, Wilkins has ministered in nearly 20 countries and been on the board of The Mission Society since 2011. His pastoral appointments include The Family Church in Gainesville, Fla., and New Hope Christian Fellowship in Oahu, Hawaii, where he was teaching pastor of the nation’s fastest growing congregation. Some 12,000 people attended its 17 weekend services.

“There is only one ministry,” said Wilkins, referencing 2 Corinthians 4:1 in his installation speech. “The ministry itself is a gift; it’s grace. The good news is that God has given me and every one of us the gift of this ministry. Dick is leaving big shoes to fill, but I look forward to leading The Mission Society in this next season and trust God for great things.” 

“I am grateful beyond words to God for the extraordinary, undeserved privilege he has given me to be a part of this amazing community for all these years,” said McClain as he turned over the reins to Wilkins. “The Mission Society has a wonderful new leader in Max. He is a gifted communicator and a passionate voice for missions with an influence that has gone far beyond his own local church. I cannot tell you how thrilled I am that he is the one God selected, and the board confirmed, to be the next president of The Mission Society. As I pass the baton to Max, it is with confidence that God has great things in store.”

For the past 30 years, The Mission Society has recruited, trained and sent missionaries around the world to communicate — through word and deed — the message of the gospel. The missions organization is involved in a diverse set of initiatives, including agricultural training, evangelism, church planting, literacy, medical work, arts ministries and numerous other pursuits. Since 1984, more than 500 men and women have served the organization in dozens of countries around the globe, including more than 225 at present.

In addition to the installation of Wilkins, Dr. Timothy Tennent, president of Asbury Theological Seminary, brought a keynote address, which he gave in honor of the Revs. Wilkins and McClain and the Rev. Dr. H.T. Maclin, founding president of The Mission Society, who passed away on April 14. The Mission Society also consecrated for service 11 missionaries at the ceremony. Nine of the missionaries will serve in security sensitive areas and cannot be named.

New missionaries who can be named are from Tyrone, Ga. Joey and Kerry Davidson and their three children have been called to serve in marketplace ministry with the people of Liberia. Their vision is to transform the lives of at-risk youth aging out of orphanages by running a successful company that provides training and employment opportunities for these youth within the tourism and hospitality industries.

Wilkins and his wife, Dee Dee, have two children, ages 20 and 18. The couple has relocated to the Atlanta area.

Additional information about Wilkins and The Mission Society is available by visiting www.themissionsociety.org.

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PHOTO CUTLINE: Board members of The Mission Society, along with family, friends and outgoing President Dick McClain, lay hands on President-elect Max Wilkins and his wife, Dee Dee at Wilkins’ installation service May 6. Wilkins will officially assume duties June 1.

To schedule an interview with representatives of The Mission Society, contact Ty Mays at 770-256-8710 or tmays@inchristcommunications.com.