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Evangelism and Church Growth Ministry Names New Chairman, New President

LEAWOOD, Kan. - Don Hinman of Naperville, IL, executive vice president and senior principal for Allant Professional Services, has been named the new chairman of the board for the Mapping Center for Evangelism and Church Growth here.

The Mapping Center board also named Luke Smith, who had been vice president, as new president. Previously, the board chairman served as president of the ministry.

The Mapping Center (www.mappingcenter.org) is a not-for-profit ministry that provides software and data solutions to help churches and ministries connect their members and reach their communities. It cooperates with many denominations and ministries and is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2006.

"I'm excited and honored to be elected to be chairman of the board for the Mapping Center. Under the leadership of Luke Smith, the Mapping Center has grown in both size and capabilities to support churches and small groups," said Hinman.

"We want churches to see our tools as indispensable in their efforts to seek new members and to manage their small group programs. We see the Mapping Center as playing a significant part in God's plan for evangelical growth."

Hinman holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Mississippi State University, a master's degree in broadcasting from the University of Mississippi and a doctorate in mass communication research from Bowling Green State University.

Smith holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University of Kansas. He has worked with the Mapping Center since 1997.

Outgoing chairman is Chris Cooper, who founded the Mapping Center in 1997 with a vision to help churches reach every neighborhood and home through personal connections among neighboring members, visitors and families and individuals not part of a church.

"Chris' leadership and vision was instrumental in the success and inventive technology and data that have been used by more than 2,000 churches and ministries. He will continue to be an asset on our board, as we look to continue that success and improve our services," Smith said.

Honorary board members of the Mapping Center include Dr. George Barna, Barna Research Group; Stephen Douglass, president of Campus Crusade for Christ International; Toby Frost, North American Mission Board, SBC; and Dr. Larry Lewis, Mission America Coalition.

alan@newsblaze.com