VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 6/19/12)—On August 1, 2012, the work of interim ministry placements previously arranged by Interim Ministries-ABC will be assumed by ABCUSA. At that time Rev. Patricia Hernandez will take on the director’s role, in addition to her continuing role as the director of Women in Ministry. Current Director of Interim Ministries-ABC, Rev. Jamie Munro, will be retiring on July 31, 2012. Similarly, Joyce Lake will begin work as administrative assistant following the June 30, 2012 retirement of Janet Newman, who has served as administrative assistant for Interim Ministries-ABC for 20 years.

For 35 years, Interim Ministries-ABC has been providing experienced, focused, and loyal pastoral leaders to American Baptist Churches in the critical time between installed pastors. Some 1400 ABC churches have been stabilized, renewed, and sustained by Ministers-at-Large (MAL’s) or other interim ministers. Today more than 400 ABC clergy are a part of this nation-wide ministry. Their vital assistance to our churches and ABC regions will continue under the auspices of the ABCUSA.

“I am grateful for the work that Rev. Roy Medley has done to see that the needs and the opportunities of interim ministry are met by qualified ABC clergy,” said Jamie Munro, director of Interim Ministries-ABC. “I am confident that Rev. Pat Hernandez will give experienced and caring leadership to this ministry that will aid our churches and regions.”

“The mentoring and ministry support I have experienced throughout my years as a pastor in ABCNYS and ABCOPAD with Dr. Sumner Grant and Rev. Dr. Frank Frischkorn, as well as through my work as an Area Minister and Leadership Consultant in ABC-MI with Dr. Michael Williams, have prepared me well to take on this new challenge. Along with serving ABWIM, this feels like the culmination of my call and a synergistic partnership,” said Hernandez.

ABCUSA General Secretary Roy Medley said, “On behalf of ABC I want to thank both Jamie and Janet for their incredible service to the churches of our denomination. It has been a joy to serve with such competent and committed coworkers. We wish them well in their retirement.”
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.