VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 8/17/11)—The 2011 recipient of the Ralph Garfield Schell Presidential Award is Reverend Brian Dixon, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Medford, Massachusetts. His ministry began in 1999.

The recipient of the Ralph Garfield Schell Presidential Award is announced annually at the closing banquet of the American Baptist Ministers Council Senate August meeting. It is presented to a pastoral leader who has been extraordinarily faithful in carrying out the principles of the Ministers Council Code of Ethics, as well as unusually effective in ministry.

Dixon is a native of Northern Ireland. His theological education was taken at Andover Newton Theological School. His undergraduate studies were at York University, Toronto. In addition, he received the M.A. degree from Boston College. Prior to entering the ministry, Dixon worked as a carpenter, then later served an apprenticeship in the trade of ‘Fitter.’ He continues to be active athletically. He is an avid cyclist and hiker. He played rugby for many years. Dixon points out three vital aspects of his life that prepared him for ministry: his experiences being a member of a large family, working in the business world, and participating in various athletic arenas.

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.