VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 2/11/11)—Yosh Nakagawa has been named the 2011 recipient of the Cora and John Sparrowk President’s Award. The award will be presented at the Biennial Meeting of the ABCUSA June 24-26 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on behalf of the General Board. The recipient must be an American Baptist who has over a period of years made an exceptional and outstanding contribution to the life of Christ’s Church and who in life and service manifests richly the fruits and gifts of the Spirit.

Currently Nakagawa serves as staff for the Asian American Caucus and Ministries for the Evergreen Baptist Association.  Previously, he served as Vice President of American Baptist Churches USA from 2002-2003.  He has served in leadership roles and on numerous boards, including as an “At-large” member of the General Board, Board of Directors of Educational Ministries/ABCUSA; the Board of Trustees of American Baptist Seminary of the West; ABC of the Northwest, president; Ministers and Missionaries Board, Board of Managers.

Nakagawa has been an active member of the Japanese Baptist Church of Seattle, Washington, for over 60 years, serving as a moderator, committee chairperson, Pastoral Relations Committee member, and Pulpit Search Committee member.

In addition to his service with Evergreen Baptist Association, Nakagawa is currently working with the U.S. National Park Service for planning and building of the Minidoka Internment National Monument in southern Idaho. The monument remembers the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, including Yosh’s family.

For 42 years, Nakagawa has been involved in many community services, serving on the Nisei Veterans Committee; Seattle Parks and Recreation Tennis advisory Board; Boy Scouts of America advisory Board; NVC (Nisei Veterans Committee) Basketball League Director and Coach; Youth Tennis Foundation of Washington director; U.S. Tennis Association manufacturing steering committee; King Headway Ski School Director; other youth-adult sports promotion services.

Nakagawa’s and his wife, Sue, have two daughters, Lisa and Linda, and a son, Mark.

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.