VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 8/20/21)—Rev. Paul H. Gibson, Executive Minister of the Great Rivers Region, has announced his retirement on December 17, 2021. Gibson has served the Great Rivers Region as Executive Minister since January 2016.

Rev. Dr. C. Jeff Woods, Interim General Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA, said, “Paul’s tag line for the region is ‘let it flow’ and through the emphasis upon pastoral relationships and institutional partnerships, especially with Northern Seminary, many resources flowed to the churches in the Great Rivers Region. There is much to build upon as the search for the next leader begins.”

In correspondence to Woods, Gibson stated: “I have had the time of my life the past six years.  I have worked with the best people, best pastors, best churches, and best staff.  It has also been a great honor to get to know many at ABCUSA and especially to get to know the rest of the execs from around the country.  I also count it priceless that I have been able to get to know many of our global servants who serve all over the world.  I have many new people in my life that I can not only call colleagues but can now call friends.  I will miss this, but I know God will have things for me to do after I take a few months to rest.  After that, I know I will be looking at interim work, or whatever God lays in front of me…as always, Be rightly related to God and find your joy there and out of you will flow rivers of living water.  Be a vessel that God can pour His love through.  From My Utmost For His Highest.”

Rev. Paul H. Gibson, a native of North Dakota, served as the Executive Minister of the Great Rivers Region of American Baptist Churches since January 1, 2016.  Prior to his appointment as Executive Minister, Paul served as Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church of Bismarck, North Dakota. He also served at pastorates in Arizona, Nevada and Missouri.

Rev. Gibson received a Master of Divinity degree from the American Baptist Seminary of the West in Berkley, California.  He graduated from Valley City State University in North Dakota and has done graduate work toward a Doctor of Ministry at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He previously served as President of the American Baptist Churches of the Dakotas.

The Great Rivers Region, an affiliate of American Baptist Churches USA, has offices in Springfield, Illinois. American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region is a resource for challenging, empowering, assisting and representing the American Baptist faith communities in Illinois (excluding Cook, DuPage and Lake counties) and Missouri as they live out their ministry together.

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.