National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) president Don Argue has announced his resignation and will become president of Northwest College in Kirkland, Washington.
During his three years at the NAE helm, the Carol Stream, Illinois-based organization made strides in a number of areas, including racial reconciliation and raising the awareness of persecuted Christians.
“He has brought energy and commitment to a ministry that spoke in behalf of Christians to public issues, touched people of all ethnic backgrounds, and championed the interests of churches that are faithful to the Word of God,” says NAE chair Leonard Hofman. “In advancing a network among evangelical leaders who are committed to unity in essentials and charity in all things, Dr. Argue helped NAE build a bridge toward effective ministry in the coming millennium.”
The resignation is effective April 15. NAE secretary L. Edward Davis calls the decision unexpected and says the organization’s 15-member executive committee is reviewing options of how to find a replacement. He says the committee will have a plan ready by the time of the March 2-4 annual convention in Orlando.
Davis says the NAE is grappling with how to redefine the role of its Washington governmental affairs office. The office has a 10-year lease that expires this summer. Another major issue facing the NAE is a joint consultation next January with the National Black Evangelical Association.
Argue, 58, has tried to revitalize NAE membership, calling it “too old, too white, and too male.” In 1996, the organization issued an “Evangelical Manifesto” in an effort to stem evangelicalism’s growing fragmentation.
During his tenure, Argue brought the concerns of religious freedom to a national policy level. He is cochair of the State Department’s Subcommittee on Religious Freedom and Religious Persecution Abroad.
Argue will be in China February 8 to March 1 with New Jersey Roman Catholic Archbishop Theodore McCarrick and New York rabbi Arthur Schneier to meet with government officials and church leaders.
Before becoming NAE president, Argue had been president of North Central Bible College for 15 years. He succeeded the retiring Billy Melvin as NAE leader.
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