GuideStone trustees, meeting Nov. 2-3 in Dallas, also received a financial status report from Chief Operating Officer John R. Jones and approved the 2010 budget.

Each year GuideStone selects a Scripture verse and a theme to guide the work of the Dallas-based Southern Baptist financial services entity. For 2009, "The Year of Perspective" theme is drawn from Habakkuk 2:3: "Though the vision tarries, wait for it; it will surely come."

"In times of uncertainty we can give up, give in or give out," Hawkins told trustees. "However, through the power of God's leadership we must reach up seeking His guidance. We must reach in to fine-tune our processes and make the most of the resources that we have. And we must reach out to our participants in helping them to also gain a proper perspective as they navigate these tumultuous times of financial crisis."

Jones, summarizing GuideStone's financial status through the first nine months of the year, said, "From a low point of $6.9 billion in assets in March of this year, our asset base at the end of September was $8.8 billion, an increase of 31 percent.

"The substantial increase in the assets reflects the upward movement we have seen in the financial markets and underscores the importance of staying invested in a planned allocation to take advantage of the improved performance in the financial markets," Jones said.

The overall performance of GuideStone Funds was positive for the year both on an absolute basis and a relative basis, Jones said, citing the ranking of the funds in the latest report by industry analysis firm fi360.

"GuideStone Funds was ranked at the 26th percentile among mutual fund families in the most recent Fund Family Fiduciary Rankings prepared by fi360," Jones said. "That means we ranked higher than 74 percent of all other mutual fund families ranked by fi360."

The fi360 report ranks approximately 213 mutual fund families based on the percentage of their individual funds that pass fi360's due diligence screens, including the fund's track record, assets, management tenure, style consistency, expense ratio, risk adjusted performance and performance relative to their peer group, among other criteria.

"Additionally, for the first nine months of this year, nine of 11 GuideStone Select Funds performed better than their respective benchmarks," Jones told trustees.

Interest in GuideStone's new property and casualty insurance products continues to grow, Jones reported, noting that GuideStone is now covering churches and ministries in 15 states and is licensed in 38 states, with applications for licenses in the remaining states.

Jones also reviewed the success of GuideStone's Mission:Dignity program for the first nine months in providing assistance to retired ministers or their widows who have significant financial needs. Continued...