Now on his second four-year term, Hulst noted that if Medley is re-elected, he will enter his third term still focused on his original vision—that ABC is an association of churches “Centered in Christ, a missional people challenged to call the world to faith in God in Christ.”
A slide presentation highlighted Medley’s 2006-2009 term of office and showed the regional and local church representatives photos of some of Medley’s most recent visits with Baptist ministries around the world, including churches in Africa, India, and Malaysia, as well as with Burmese refugees living in camps in Thailand.
Hulst also noted the important Baptist-Muslim dialogue, which Medley spearheaded, with plans for more opportunities to continue this important bridge-building process.
As he looks toward the work ahead, Medley will be taking a sabbatical in the Fall, which will include a spiritual pilgrimage to Ireland, mission work in Namibia, study of reconciliation in South Africa, and more research into the “missional church.”
Hulst expressed deep gratitude for Medley’s ministry, reminding the Board that, in all that he does, “the work of the General Secretary is grounded in prayer.”
However, Hulst noted, prayer must always translate into action. She began her President’s report by quoting Teresa of Avila: “Christ has no body now but yours; no hands, no feet on earth but you.”
As she has traveled across the denomination during her term as president, she has seen the identity statement for the ABC, “American Baptists: Serving as the Hands and Feet of Christ”, continually affirmed and embraced.
Addressing the proposed structural change for the denomination, which will be voted on by delegates to the Biennial Meeting, June 26-28, Hulst assured the Board that, “though change is never easy and is almost always perceived as some kind of loss…we are on the cusp of responding to God’s call in some new ways that will yield good fruit and great blessing.”
The proposed by-law changes “respond to needs and realities—not reactively, but creatively and proactively.” If the proposals pass, she noted, the denomination will commit itself, “with God’s help, to making them work and making us better at keeping mission more and more at the heart and center of who we are.”
Her report noted highlights of her past year, which have included attending the Baptist-Muslim dialogue, participating in the global Baptist Peace Conference held in Rome, and representing ABC at the Rekindling Theological Imagination conference.
Hulst recently retired as Senior Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Denver, CO. Now, following the recent announcement that ABCUSA is no longer able to fund the position of the Director of American Baptist Women in Ministry, she has been asked to give time exploring partnerships and new patterns of supporting and encouraging women in ministry.
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.