Entries for June 2009

“’Baptist’ is a wonderful adjective but an idolatrous noun,” Dr. Michael Kinnamon told the representatives of American Baptist churches and regions gathered for the fourth plenary session of ABCUSA’s General Board, meeting June 25 in Pasadena, CA.

In executive session of their third plenary on Wednesday, June 27, the General Board of ABCUSA re-elected A. Roy Medley to a third four-year term as General Secretary of the denomination, by a vote of 65 to 11.

American Baptist General Secretary, A. Roy Medley, addressed the denomination's General Board as they met in plenary session on Wednesday afternoon, June 24, in Pasadena, CA. He set the theme for his report with his opening words; “I stand before you today filled with hope that is rooted in our faith.”

In the face of hard economic realities and financial challenges, National Ministries proclaimed its focus on mission at its semiannual board meeting, gathered in Pasadena, CA, which ended today.

The ABCUSA General Board began their June 2009 session in Pasadena, CA, by honoring General Secretary Dr. A. Roy Medley. In the opening plenary on June 22, Rev. Mary Armacost Hulst, President of ABCUSA, honored Medley, calling him a “man of passion for Jesus Christ,” and reminding the 85 gathered representatives that the General Secretary serves as “the pastoral and administrative leader of this denomination of more than 5,200 churches.”

On July 6th, 2009, AB Women’s Ministries will post its 50th episode of Real Women, Real Leaders: The Podcast Series. Launched in June 2007, the podcast series was a natural addition to a collection of resources for women’s and girls’ ministries utilizing technology to reach new audiences.

Denton Lotz, American Baptist and former general secretary of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), received the International Award for Religious Liberty on Thursday, June 18, in Washington, DC.

Robert Parham, of ethicsdaily.com, has posted an article highlighting the rich diversity of American Baptist Churches USA, which is reflected in gatherings such as the Biennial, taking place June 26-28 in Pasadena, CA.

National Ministries Executive Director Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III today announced the appointment of Rev. Rothangliani R. Chhangte, an ordained American Baptist minister, as liaison for Burmese refugees. Chhangte assumes her new post on June 22.

Landmark legislation approved June 11 by the Senate gives the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to effectively regulate the manufacture, marketing and sale of tobacco products.

Rev. Julius C. Herrin, former program associate with the American Baptist Home Mission Societies and the American Baptist Board of Education and Publication, currently carrying out ministry as National Ministries, died in his sleep June 5. He was 94.

The Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board (MMBB) has published its 2008 Annual Report, "How will MMBB work for us through the recession? A Candid Discussion with MMBB’s Financial Leaders".

On the evening of May 13, an EF-2 tornado destroyed Wichita Community Church and the Oklahoma Indian American Baptist Association (OIABA) tabernacle and bathroom between Anadarko and Gracemont in Caddo County, OK.

Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley, General Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA, joined a broad and diverse group of national American Christian leaders in sending a letter to President Barack Obama on the heels of his historic speech in Cairo.

Maribelle “Mitzie” Mackenzie, a commissioned American Baptist home missionary and director emeritus of Chinese Christian Church and Center, Philadelphia, PA, died May 25. She was 88.

Rev. Emerson Tootsie, retired National Ministries’ Southwest Indian Ministries Coordinator, died May 26 in Phoenix, AZ, after having suffered a stroke on May 21.

Dr. Roberto Dieppa-Báez has been named the new executive minister of Las Iglesias Bautistas de Puerto Rico (the Baptist Churches of Puerto Rico) effective on July 1, 2009.

Lauran Bethell, International Ministries global consultant for ministry with women and children who are, or at risk of, being victims of human trafficking, was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree from Palmer Theological Seminary, Wynnewood, PA, on May 16, 2009. Bethell presented the commencement address at the seminary’s ceremony, held at the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA.

Rev. Daniel Buttry, an American Baptist International Ministries global consultant for peace and justice, was honored with a Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) degree by Central Baptist Theological Seminary, Shawnee, KS, on May 16, 2009.

Rev. John D. Sundquist of Woodridge, IL, has been named the American Baptist Foundation’s representative for the Great Plains region. This appointment, effective April 1, 2009, was announced by Lawrence Edw. Wilson, III, Foundation President. In his position Sundquist will work with regional staff and local church pastors and lay leaders to encourage estate planning among members of their congregations. That planning will increase support for American Baptist ministry locally, across the nation and around the world.

The Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum, convened by the World Council of Churches (WCC), will sponsor a World Week for Peace in Palestine, Israel, June 4-10, 2009. Churches and related organizations in more than 20 countries are taking part in this week of action that is dedicated to prayer, education, and advocacy, for an end to a 60-year conflict.

American Baptist-affiliated Andover Newton Theological School announced on May 26 that its Board of Trustees has approved initiating discussions with the leadership of fellow ABCUSA-affiliated Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (CRCDS), located in Rochester, NY. The discussions will explore the feasibility of combining the resources of these two historic institutions in a manner which will maximize efficiency, sustain their legacies and advance a common educational mission.