VALLEY FORGE, PA (2/1/22)—The Board of General Ministries, the American Baptist Churches USA governing board, is currently in the process of seeking information regarding the priorities for the next General Secretary, whose term will begin in 2024.

The board has released a survey which will take approximately 5-7 minutes to complete. The board values your responses and thanks persons who take the time to complete this survey. The survey will remain open until March 5, 2022. All feedback received by this deadline will help the current General Secretary search committee develop a profile of a desired candidate.

The committee tasked with the search for the next General Secretary of the American Baptist Churches USA met in Tampa, Fla., January 27-29, 2022. At the initial meeting of the committee, decisions were made concerning the process the committee will follow in its search for the next General Secretary.

Rev. Dr. James O. Wolfe, president of American Baptist Churches USA, said, “One of the most important components of the committee’s process is a survey which is being released to the denominational family today. It is very important that everyone involved take the time to complete the survey. Thank you for your cooperation, prayers, and support.”

The members of the Search Committee are:

Rev. Dr. James Wolfe (President/Chair)
Karen Podsiadly (Past President)
Dr. Louis Barbarin, representing American Baptist Home Mission Societies, International Ministries, and MMBB Financial Services
Rev. Abner Cotto-Bonilla, representing the ABCUSA Intercaucus
Judith Christiansen, Board of General Ministries (New York State)
Stephanie Commandest, Board of General Ministries (Evergreen Association)
Rev. Dr. Emmett Dunn, Board of General Ministries (District of Columbia)
Rev. Dr. Al Fletcher, Regional Executive Ministers Council (Maine)
Kurt Kaufman, Board of General Ministries (Wisconsin)
Rev. Dr. James Kelsey, Regional Executive Ministers Council (New York State)
Rev. Kathryn Ray, Board of General Ministries (Metro Chicago)
Rev. Jacquline Saxon, Regional Executive Ministers Council (Mid-American)
Rev. Dr. Daryl Ward, Board of General Ministries (Ohio)
Shawna Simmons, Board of General Ministries (Greater Indianapolis)

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.