VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 11/14/18)—The board of directors of American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) opened its biannual meeting at ABHMS’ new mission offices in King of Prussia.

At a ribbon-cutting ceremony introducing board members to the renovated office space, ABHMS Executive Director Dr. Jeffrey Haggray said, “We give thanks for this space, for each of you and your leadership. This board has led this relocation effort with a sacred sense of stewardship, and this is a sacred space. We dedicate it and consecrate it in the name of God.”

Board President the Rev. Dr. Clifford I. Johnson cut the blue ribbon stretched across the new vestibule, crowded not only with board and staff members of ABHMS but also staff from American Baptist Extension Corporation (ABEC) and American Baptist Women’s Ministries (ABWM).

“With this ribbon cutting,” Johnson said, “we open these doors in a spirit of Christian friendship and welcome to all who will enter here in a spirit of love, peace, justice and community. We especially welcome American Baptist Extension Corporation and American Baptist Women’s Ministries as partners with us in this new facility.”

In closing, board Vice President Wendy Hagn prayed, “Eternal God, as we open the doors to this mission center, we open our hearts to you. Go with us as we cross this threshold, that this mission center may always be filled with your presence.”

Spontaneous applause and cheers broke out following the ceremony.

ABHMS, ABEC and ABWM began operations at the new building on Oct. 29.

The mailing and delivery address of the new facility is 1075 First Ave., King of Prussia, PA 19406. Phone numbers of individual staff members remain the same; the new 800 number is 888-79-ABHMS.

“This building represents much more than a building,” Johnson said in his remarks. “You walk in the doors, and you feel like you are in the house of God.”

American Baptist Home Mission Societies partners with American Baptists to promote Christian faith, cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and bring healing and transformation to communities across the United States and Puerto Rico.

American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.