VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 4/30/12)—American Baptist Homes and Caring Ministries (ABHCM) announces the appointment of the Rev. Garth E. Brokaw of Rochester, N.Y., as its interim executive director.

Brokaw has served the ABHCM board of directors since 1991, having held the roles of vice president, president, immediate past president, chair of the Nominating Committee, member of the Communications Committee and secretary. In addition, he has served as the ABHCM representative to the general board and has served on the board of American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS).

He recently retired after 32 years of ministry at Fairport (N.Y.) Baptist Homes Caring Ministries, where he served as chaplain, assistant administrator for Resident Services and president/CEO. The Fairport home was a founding member of American Baptist Homes and Hospitals Association, which was the predecessor to ABHCM.

A graduate of Ottawa (Kan.) University and Colgate Rochester (N.Y.) Crozer Divinity School, Brokaw is an American Baptist Churches USA-ordained minister.

As part of a strategic leadership plan for the next three years, ABHCM has appointed a search committee to find a permanent, part-time executive director.

“I have been appointed to carry on the daily activities of the association and to initiate work on two strategic goals: to implement a program to more closely connect with the association’s membership and to continue conversations with like associations regarding how we might develop and share programs of value,” says Brokaw. “The board believes that work in these two areas will create, in the interim, a foundation from which the new, permanent executive director can build a stronger association.”

The largest component of ministry provided by ABHMS, ABHCM serves more than 20,000 people throughout the United States and Puerto Rico via retirement communities, long-term care centers, children’s homes and special services. ABHCM’s development and activities are governed by a board of directors comprised of clergy and social service professionals as well as business and community leaders.

“We are delighted to partner with ABHCM and with the Rev. Brokaw, as he continues to serve this important and historic ministry in a new capacity,” says Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III, ABHMS’ executive director. “Garth understands the objectives of the association and the needs of the thousands of people it serves. He brings a high degree of competency and creativity to this ministry of compassion.”
Through a grant process, ABHMS will fund the executive director position. Over a three-year period, ABHMS’ funding of the position will decrease, while ABHCM’s funding of the position increases.

“ABHCM is grateful to ABHMS for all the years of partnership,” says Brokaw. “And we look with great excitement to forming new partnerships shaped around shared ministries.”

ABHMS—the domestic mission arm of American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA)—ministers as the caring heart and serving hands of Jesus Christ across the United States and Puerto Rico through a multitude of initiatives that focus on discipleship, community and justice.

ABCUSA 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.