OVERLAND PARK, KS (ABNS 6/19/13)—At the American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) Board of General Ministries meeting on June 18, 2013, Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley was re-elected to serve a two-year term as general secretary for the denomination. The re-election was announced on June 19 at a combined plenary session of the Board of International Ministries, Board of the American Baptist Home Mission Societies, Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board and Board of General Ministries. The Board of General Ministries meetings began on June 18 at the Sheraton Hotel in Overland Park, Kansas, and continue through Thursday, June 20.
Medley has served in the position for three four-year terms, originally taking office on January 1, 2002. Medley’s new term will begin on January 1, 2014, and will end on December 31, 2015.
ABCUSA President Ruth Clark said, “We are delighted that Dr. A. Roy Medley will serve as General Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA through 2015. This additional two-year term will allow us to work together to insure that the Transformed by the Spirit initiative will spread throughout the denomination and become part of our mission DNA. We are grateful for his leadership and vision and pray God’s blessing on him as he continues his leadership.”
Discussing his continuing service as General Secretary, Medley said, “For everything there is a season – a time to plant and to build. I want to see the initiatives we have recently planted be watered and cultivated so that their roots might sink deep into our life as a community of faith. It is my hope that by serving another two years beyond the end of my current term as General Secretary, I might be able to tend these tender shoots of renewal and hope as they become mature and established.”
As General Secretary, Medley has focused his ministry in several key areas. His vision for the denomination is a fellowship of strong, missional churches, focused on spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ and “serving as the hands and feet of Christ.” He has supported work among Baptists worldwide, particularly areas like Burma, once associated with American Baptist missions. Medley also serves as President-Elect of the National Council of Churches of Christ.
Peace issues have been an important focus for Medley, who has been instrumental in bringing together Baptists and Muslims in dialogue to explore common ground between the two faith traditions.
American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with over 5,200 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.