VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 8/20/12)—The American Baptist Ministers Council Executive Committee and the 2012 Ministers Council Senate has announced the election of the Reverend Dr. Debora Jackson of Auburndale, MA as Executive Director of the Ministers Council.
Jackson comes to the Ministers Council well qualified. She has her Bachelor of Science in Business from Indiana University; Master of Science, Management and a Master of Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, both from Worcester Polytechnic Institute; she received her Master of Divinity and Doctorate of Ministry both from Andover Newton. She has served in the corporate world as a “C-level” executive with a keen ability to quickly amass information in order to develop strategies that yield results. Most recently she has served as the Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Needham MA. Jackson brings to the council proven experience as a strong visionary leader. She has demonstrated her ability to empower organizations to discern their vision and bring that vision to fruition. Finally, she is a powerful communicator, graduating from Andover Newton having been awarded the distinguished, “Outstanding Preaching Award.”
The following represent four areas where Debora would like to see the Ministers Council place its attention:
“I want you to know that I believe we must focus on:
• Ministers Council Distinctives – We need to demonstrate the value-add that makes being a part of the Ministers Council compelling. We need to show the tangible benefits so that others will come on board to be a part of what we’re doing.
• Partnerships – We need to identify and engage partners who will help us to fulfill our mission – “trading partners” who can provide funding, resourcing and support and with whom we can have a reciprocal relationship to enhance their efforts.
• Programming – We need to “productize” our offerings and avail them to our members so that we help them to deepen their spirituality, connect with community and foster leadership effectiveness.
• Fund Development – We need to create a fund development capacity that results in a sustainable funding culture which simultaneously promotes annual giving, capital campaign development, and planned giving.”
Jackson’s last day serving her church will be September 16, 2012. Joe Kutter, the current Executive Director, will continue to serve through September 15, 2012.
“Joe has served as Executive Director since 2010. He has served faithfully and the Ministers Council has made much progress under his compassionate, wise, and distinguished service. We pray God’s blessings on Joe, his wife Peggy, and their family as they enjoy traveling and spending time with their grandchildren. We invite your prayers during this season of transition, for a bright and hopeful future for the American Baptist Ministers Council,” said Rev. Dr. Harry L. Riggs, II, vice president of Communications for the Ministers Council.
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.