John Stott Ministries (JSM) recently announced its new president as Ken Perez, who has been JSM board chair for the last three years.

John Stott Ministries and the Langham Partnership International are renowned for the work they do in developing and equipping churches in the majority world for mission through their Langham Literature, Langham Preaching and Langham Scholars programmes.

Pervez brings a wealth of experience to his new role as JSM's president, having served as vice chair of JSM's board of directors from 2001 to 2003 and as chair from 2004 to 2007.

Tim Stafford, acting JSM board chair, paid tribute to his predecessor and welcomed him to his new office as president.

"Ken's leadership gives me great excitement for the future of JSM," he said. "It's rare to find such passion for ministry connected to such organisational capability. Ken has spent years involved intimately with JSM, and frankly, no one understands and loves our work more.

"He 'gets' the mind of John Stott and his intentions in launching this ministry, and he has a vision for broadening and deepening its influence.

"Put this together with Ken's strong business background, and you have the ideal president for this time in JSM's history."

Perez will maintain his other positions on the boards of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, the Jesus Institute, which uses websites to help people of all spiritual and cultural backgrounds learn about Jesus, and the LA-based educational ministry Lincoln Heights Tutorial Program.

"I feel deeply honored to be called to lead this international ministry," the Stanford-educated Perez commented on his new appointment. "Moving from JSM board chair to now serve as the organisation's president was a natural move, and I look forward to seeing JSM's impact magnified as we support the growth of the church in the majority world by developing strategic Christian leaders."

JSM said Perez had been "instrumental" in furthering the growth of JSM and its role as the US chapter of the Langham Partnership International (LPI), an organisation founded by John Stott to help equip majority world pastors and scholars for sound biblical preaching and teaching in their countries.

Dr Chris Wright, international director of LPI, welcomed Perez to the role of JSM president.

"Ken brings to his new role a wonderful combination of secular experience and Christian ministry involvement, along with profound familiarity with the vision and mission of John Stott Ministries," he said. "I anticipate with excitement the contribution he will make to enabling us to serve our majority world partners even more effectively, and look forward eagerly to working with him as a colleague and friend in our international leadership team in the Langham Partnership International."

Pervez takes over from David Jones who has served as JSM's president for the ten years since the organisation's inception. Jones has taken up a new post as managing director for the Lausanne Committee for 2010.