GREEN LAKE, WI (ABNS 6/17/12)—The Board of General Ministries of American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) meeting concluded on Sunday, June 17, following its final business session. The Board met at the American Baptists Assembly/Green Lake Conference Center (GLCC) in Green Lake, WI. Board members also had the opportunity to attend the Installation Service for Benjamin C. K. Mott, who was installed as President/CEO of GLCC.

This meeting marks the second time that the Board of General Ministries is meeting following the denominational bylaws changes passed by the former General Board in June, 2011. During the Saturday evening plenary session, the Board heard a report from Mott on the Green Lake Conference Center. ABCUSA President Ruth Clark and Associate General Secretary Leo Thorne gave a presentation on the Mission Summit/Biennial, which will take place June 21-23, 2013 in Overland Park, Kansas.

General Secretary Roy Medley gave the sermon at the GLCC worship service on Sunday morning, June 17. Medley preached about hospitality, reflecting on gifts, giving to your guests and serving others. “The best gifts are not always the most expensive gifts,” said Medley. “But they are always, always the most thoughtful gifts.”

In the fifth and final plenary session, the Executive Committee of the Board of General Ministries recommended and the Board agreed to adopt the standing rules.

The full Board of General Ministries received reports of the Response Group work and proposals which resulted from two prior breakout sessions of BGM members. The committees are the Finance Committee, Committee on Christian Unity & Interfaith Relations, Committee on Congregational Renewal, Committee on Mission Resource Development, Committee on Missional Response, and Committee on Professional Church Leadership.

The final action of the BGM was a unanimous affirmation of a resolution presented by Medley and ABCUSA President Ruth Clark. “The Board of General Ministries, American Baptist Churches USA, in session this day, voices its appreciation for outstanding service to the gospel of Jesus Christ by Rev. Dr. Daniel Vestal, Coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.”
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.