VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 3/19/12)—Reverend Dr. Gardner C. Taylor, of Raleigh, North Carolina, has been named the 2011 recipient of the Judson Press Ministry Award. Dr. Taylor served as pastor of Concord Baptist Church in Brooklyn for 42 years and is the author of the six-volume series, The Words of Gardner Taylor (Judson Press).

Named by Newsweek as one of the twelve greatest preachers in the English-speaking world, and widely considered as the greatest living African American preacher, Dr. Taylor has long been dedicated to Judson’s publishing ministry, supporting and endorsing the efforts of several generations of Judson Press authors.

The Judson Press Ministry Award recognizes individuals “who share Judson’s publishing ministry in a significant way with a ready and Christian spirit and for the joy of service and contribution.” The award was first presented in 2007, with Victoria Goff, National Coordinator, Volunteer Services for the American Baptist Homes Mission Societies as the recipient. Other recipients have included Dr. Wilda “Wendy” Morris, Rev. Dr. Samuel B. McKinney, and Peter and Peggy Wolf.

As the 2011 Judson Press Ministry Award recipient, Dr. Taylor will receive a framed citation. Beginning with the Spring 2012 publishing season, Taylor or his designee will also receive a free copy of all newly published Judson Press books. In addition, his name will be inscribed on a permanent plaque that hangs in the Mission Center at Valley Forge.

“This is a special opportunity for us,” said Laura Alden, Judson Press publisher. “Dr. Taylor is such a towering figure in recent American religious and cultural history and yet has been so loyal and supportive of a small, denominational publisher trying to uphold and advance a progressive Baptist voice. We wanted to recognize him for that.”

Dr. Walter L. Parrish II, executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of the South, also expressed his appreciation for Gardner Taylor’s ministry: “It is with great appreciation and pride that the American Baptist Churches of the South (ABCOTS) congratulates Dr. Gardner Calvin Taylor as the 2011 recipient of the Judson Press Ministry Award….ABCOTS is proud to have had Dr. Taylor as keynote preacher.  We are even more delighted to have Dr. Taylor living in the region of the South and continuing to contribute to us by his presence.  We celebrate this honor and we celebrate Dr. Taylor.”

Founded in 1824, Judson Press—a publishing ministry of the American Baptist Home Mission Societies, American Baptist Churches USA—produces Christ-centered leadership resources for the transformation of persons, congregations, communities and cultures.

To order Judson Press resources, visit www.judsonpress.com or call 800-458-3766.

American Baptist Churches USA 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.