VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 1/21/15)—The American Baptist Historical Society is receiving nominations for the George D. Younger Award for Excellence in Local or Regional American Baptist History. Projects eligible for nomination include but are not restricted to church anniversary celebrations, congregational or regional histories, oral history projects, or other historical programs that promote Baptist history in the local community or region.  The judges especially look for evidence of the impact on the targeted audience, with special consideration given for those projects with outreach beyond the immediate Baptist community.

The Younger Award will be announced during the 2015 Biennial Mission Summit in Overland Park, Kansas.  Submission should be sent to ABHS, 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, GA 30341 by May 1, 2015. Nominations should include the following documentation:

1. cover sheet listing the name of the project and the name and contact information for the sponsoring church, group or institution,
2. a short (one or two page) description of the project or program, including a project timeline of the dates and locations of project events,
3. supporting material, such as program bulletins, newspaper clippings, and comments by those who participated, either by creating the program/project or as part of the targeted audience,
4. evidence of the quality (historical content and production quality) of the program or project,
5. written evidence or evaluations of the project or program may be supplemented by other records of the program, such as videos, newspaper clippings, audio-recordings, or photographic images,
6. evidence of impact on the targeted audience, with special consideration given for impact on a broader than Baptist community.

Lower Providence Baptist Church, Eagleville, PA, received the 2011 award for its package of projects marking the congregation’s bicentennial. Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church, Richmond, VA, received the 2013 Award for its year-long celebration of the birthdate of their founding pastor, Rev. John Jasper (1812-1901).

George D. Younger (1926-2001) was a historian, minister, ecumenical leader, and lifelong enthusiast for Baptist history.  Along with his parish and regional ministry in New York City and New Jersey, he served as editor-in-chief of the ABHS journal, Foundations (predecessor to the American Baptist Quarterly), represented the Baptist World Alliance at the United Nations, and taught Baptist history and polity at Princeton Theological Seminary, New Brunswick Theological Seminary, Drew Theological School, and Union Theological Seminary.

Dr. Younger stressed the importance of Baptist history and principles. Seeking to honor his achievement and to continue his legacy of encouraging others to share their own part in Baptist history, the Historical Society’s Board of Managers created the George D. Younger Award in 2004.

Founded in 1853, the American Baptist Historical Society cares for the largest and most diverse collection of Baptist materials in the world and publishes the oldest Baptist historical journal, the American Baptist Quarterly. Researchers come from around the globe to research the contributions Baptists have made to church and society.

American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with over 5,200 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.