(RNS) A longtime executive of evangelical organizations will become the new president of the American Bible Society on Jan. 1.
The Rev. R. Lamar Vest, the current executive vice president of Global Scripture Ministries for the New York-based society, was chosen in November by the society’s trustees.
Vest, 68, succeeds Paul Irwin, whose contract with the society ended in June weeks after news reports that an Internet contractor that had received millions of dollars from the society had previous ties to the pornography industry.

At the time, a society spokeswoman said the nonrenewal of Irwin’s contract “was not a reflection of any wrongdoing.” The society also had ended its relationship with the Internet contractor.
Vest had interim responsibility for some of the society’s day-to-day activities following Irwin’s departure.
“Grounded in his deep commitment to the church as well as his many years of fostering new global Bible mission, Dr. Vest will provide strong leadership for the ongoing work and ministry of the American Bible Society,” said society board chairman Dennis C. Dickerson.
Vest is a member of the executive committee of the United Bible Societies Global Board. He has been chairman of the National Association of Evangelicals and chairman of the American Bible Society’s board of trustees. He also has worked as an executive of the Church of God (Cleveland, Tenn.).
By Adelle M. Banks
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