Timeline

Since 1918, GuideStone® has held a unique space in history, helping believers lead resilient lives and advance the Kingdom of God. Through changes in location, leadership, circumstances and more, one thing has stayed constant: the passion of those dedicated to helping you start well, stay well and finish well.

Take a look back at GuideStone's landmark moments over more than a century of service as we also look forward to a bright future ahead.

1918
J.B. Gambrell calls to order the Board of Ministerial Relief and Annuities
1918
William Lunsford is chosen as the Board’s first executive secretary
1920
Philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Sr. releases 1,000 shares of preferred stock of the Atlantic Refining Company of Philadelphia to the Board of Ministerial Relief and Annuities
1920
Name changes to Relief and Annuity Board of the Southern Baptist Convention
1927
Thomas J. Watts succeeds Lunsford as Relief and Annuity Board president
1930
Relief and Annuity Board never misses a retirement benefit payment during the Great Depression
1947
Relief and Annuity Board offers benefit to assist widows
1947
Walter R. Alexander succeeds Watts as Relief and Annuity Board president
1955
R. Alton Reed succeeds Alexander as Relief and Annuity Board president
1959
Relief and Annuity Board office moves to 511 N. Akard Street in downtown Dallas
1961
Name changes to Annuity Board of the Southern Baptist Convention
Mid- 1960s
Annuity Board begins offering insurance
1967
Annuity Board approves sending “the 13th check”
1972
Darold H. Morgan succeeds Reed as Annuity Board president
1981
Adopt An Annuitant ministry launches
1989
Annuity Board office moves to 2401 Cedar Springs Road in Uptown Dallas
1990
Paul W. Powell succeeds Morgan as Annuity Board president
Mid- 1990s
Annuity Board launches its first website
1997
O.S. Hawkins succeeds Powell as Annuity Board president
2001
AB Funds Trust registered
2004
Annuity Board changes its name to GuideStone® and expands its services to like-minded evangelical churches and ministries
2005
AB Funds Trust becomes GuideStone Funds®
2008
Adopt An Annuitant changes name to Mission:Dignity®
2012
GuideStone Funds receives 2012 Lipper Award for Best Overall Small Fund Group in the United States
2018
GuideStone celebrates its centennial and moves to new offices at 5005 LBJ Freeway in Dallas’ Midtown neighborhood
2019
GuideStone Funds receives Lipper Fund Award from Refinitiv as the Best Overall Small Fund Family for 2019
2020
GuideStone becomes the first of Southern Baptists’ historic boards with an African American woman as chair of the Board
2022
Dr. D. Hance Dilbeck, Jr. succeeds Hawkins as GuideStone president
2023
GuideStone names Chu Soh as Chief Operating Officer
2023
GuideStone offers wealth management and managed account solutions as part of its advisory services

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