This distinction was conferred upon Buttry in recognition of his 20 years of faithful service around the world, affirmed the Seminary President, Dr. Molly T. Marshall. He has made a significant contribution in teaching and writing, as a pastor, and through the church's larger mission in Christian peacemaking.

Buttry has traveled globally in the pursuit of peace, justice and reconciliation through ministries of conflict transformation and education. He presented his commencement address based on 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, which talks of reconciliation. Speaking to the graduates and more than 400 guests, Buttry incorporated his much-used passport to cite samples of difficult situations worldwide and described Christian ministry: “You don’t have diplomatic immunity as an Ambassador for Christ. You aren’t protected from the pains and troubles of the world. Rather you have diplomatic vulnerability.”

The Doctor of Divinity degree awarded to Buttry is the highest honor bestowed by Central Baptist Theological Seminary. Central Seminary also commended Buttry on his planning for the Global Baptist Peace Conference in Italy, which was held last February and co-sponsored by International Ministries.

American Baptist International Ministries (IM), organized in 1814, is the first Baptist mission agency formed in North America. IM serves more than 2,500 short-term and long-term missionaries annually, bringing U.S. and Puerto Rico churches together with partners in more than 70 countries in cutting-edge ministries that tell the good news of Jesus Christ while meeting human needs.

For further details on this event, go to: www.internationalministries.org/artifacts/11527.

For more information, please contact Catherine Nold at Catherine.Nold@abc-usa.org or 800-222-3872, ext. 2182.

American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with 5,500 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.