VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 6/26/11)—Rev. Dr. Roberto Dieppa-Báez, executive minister of Las Iglesias Bautistas de Puerto Rico, gave the message at the Biennial worship service on Saturday evening, June 25, 2011. The theme of the service was Celebrate God’s Power, and Dieppa-Báez highlighted a service held entirely in Spanish and translated for English speaking attendees.
“We wanted to do something new for the Saturday evening service at the Biennial this year; something that honored our gracious hosts and captured the richness of our life together,” said Jeff Savage, chair of the Biennial Program Committee. “The service, held in Spanish and translated into English, allowed for a vibrant celebration of our diversity of culture and unity in Christ. I hope all who attended embraced the celebration!”
During the evening worship service, Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III, executive director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies, introduced the Edwin T. Dahlberg Peace Award recipients. The award for “significant efforts for peace over a period of time” was presented to Rev. Paul Hayes and posthumously to Mrs. Beverly McNally.
Earlier in the day, Biennial attendees were given an opportunity to visit various pavilions, called “interactive ‘Come and Go’ opportunities for learning, listening, experiencing and exploring.” The pavilions focused on the following areas:
- ABCUSA (Delegates/Statements of Concern)
- Preaching
- Home Missions
- International Ministries
- Using social media in ministry
- Music and Creative Expression
- Global Issues/Mission Summit
- Contemplative Practices
- “Celebrating God’s Mission and the Ministry of Latinos in the ABCUSA Family” – in Spanish
The American Baptist Biennial continues to meet through Sunday evening, June 26, at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Follow the events at Celebrate! 2011 on the ABCUSA website, Facebook page, Twitter account, and view the photo albums at www.abc-usa.org.
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.