Updated Friday, Feb. 29, 2008

Request for Fruitland loan to be examined

ASHEBORO - The Executive Committee discussed a January motion from Wayne Key, pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Cherryville, to forgive the $1.2 million debt of Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute but concluded only that discussions would be held with Fruitland leadership.

The Executive Committee authorized Chairman Allan Blume to name a study committee if that becomes necessary.

Fruitland, incurred the debt to enlarge and refurbish its chapel, which has since been named for President Kenneth Ridings. Todd Edmiston, Fruitland development director, died in February 2007, a factor in the fund raising being behind.

"It comes down to a business decision," said Milton A. Hollifield Jr., executive director-treasurer of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.

Key's motion came as a surprise and Hollifield "has not had opportunity to discuss with Kenneth Ridings the situation."

He said they would "internally assess the financial situation." Any change would be studied and brought back to the Executive Committee. George Cagle, a member of the Executive Committee and Fruitland's board chair, said Fruitland has some significant housing needs and the chapel debt is prohibiting Fruitland from moving forward to meet that need.

Hollifield said there is a steady line of requests for money supposedly "saved" by change in budget relationship with the colleges, including housing needs at Caraway Conference Center and sewer line needs at Fort Caswell.

He said the Convention needs to "look at the larger scheme and determine as a Convention where we can best use those resources. I do believe this Convention will step up to the plate and help Fruitland as needed."

Currently the Convention is charging no interest on the Fruitland debt and is holding Fruitland to no specific repayment schedule.