VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 10/26/15)—As previously announced, Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley, General Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA), will be retiring on December 31, 2015. Medley originally took office on January 1, 2002, and served for three four-year terms and one two-year term. Submissions of letters or words of appreciation for a “Book of Letters” are invited.

Medley is one of the longest serving General Secretaries (2002-2015) of American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA), serving as the pastoral and administrative leader of the 1.3-million-member denomination that includes over 5,200 congregations.

“Roy is completing 14 years of faithful and effective ministry as the head of our community of disciples,” said ABC President Don Ng. “We celebrate Dr. Medley’s lifetime commitment to the ministry of the church after serving as a local church pastor, an advocate for meeting the human needs in local neighborhoods, a regional executive who supported pastors and local churches, a denominational leader who proclaimed good news, and a prophet in ecumenical and inter-faith settings where he has broken down walls of suspicion and hostility in the name of peace.”

The Board of General Ministries of ABCUSA invites submissions of letters or words of appreciation, which will become part of a “Book of Letters” that will be presented prior to Medley’s retirement.  American Baptists and friends are invited to submit a letter (unfolded, no larger than 8 ½ x 11 letter size paper), sent by November 13, 2015, to the attention of: Cathy Brubaker, ABCUSA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851. Letters can also be emailed to: Cathy.Brubaker@abc-usa.org.

As General Secretary, Medley has focused his ministry in several key areas. His vision for the denomination is a fellowship of strong, missional churches, focused on spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ and “serving as the hands and feet of Christ.” He has led the denomination in the Transformed by the Spirit initiative. Transformed by the Spirit invites congregations into prayerful discernment and committed action in their communities and the world.

Within American Baptist life, he has urged, as a biblical mandate, growth both in personal spirituality and in doing justice, peace, and mercy as those who confess “Jesus Christ is Lord.”

He has supported work among Baptists worldwide, particularly areas like Burma, once associated with American Baptist missions. Medley also serves as chair of the National Council of Churches of Christ Governing Board and carries a number of responsibilities with the Baptist World Alliance.

Peace issues have been an important focus for Medley, who has been instrumental in bringing together Baptists and Muslims in dialogue to explore common ground between the two faith traditions. In addition, he has participated in several peace-building efforts globally and has led groups to the Middle East and the Republic of Georgia in efforts to build greater understanding between Muslims and Christians.

Prior to being called as General Secretary, Dr. Medley served as executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of New Jersey, national director of the Neighborhood Action Program of American Baptist National Ministries, and as a pastor.

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.