VALLEY FORGE, PA (3/21/22)—American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) is pleased to announce its hiring of Peter E. Bickel, J.D., as director for Marketing and Communications—which is launching under the new name of IMPAAACTS (Integrated Marketing, Promotion, Audio, Arts, Analytics, Communications, Technology, Sales)—and the Rev. Dr. Rachael Lawrence as senior editor for Judson Press.

As the director for Marketing and Communications, Bickel will manage a growing team that is presently comprised of a senior content strategist, associate director of marketing, creative director, senior writer and digital content coordinator, all with an eye toward telling the story of ABHMS and its mission to cultivate leaders, equip disciples, and to heal and transform communities across the United States and Puerto Rico. He seeks to harness the strengths and unique value proposition of ABHMS to attract, enlighten, motivate and delight constituents.

“ABHMS is evolving under insightful leadership,” says Bickel, “and I am delighted to be joining it at such an exciting time. Its mission inspires storytelling that has the power to impact lives and effect positive change in the communities that ABHMS serves.”

Bickel founded PebCraft Marketing, Wynnewood, Pa., a boutique marketing consultancy that partners with leaders, staff and other stakeholders of mission-driven organizations to develop and execute strategies that advance overarching priorities, from increasing visibility and burnishing reputation to propelling sustainable growth in rapidly evolving markets.

He also has held  marketing leadership positions at Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA, Augusta, Ga; Thomas Edison State University, Trenton, N.J.; Montgomery County Community College, Blue Bell, Pa.; Villanova (Pa.) University; and Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, Fennimore.

Bickel earned a Juris Doctor degree at University of California Davis School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Communications, Management Concentration, summa cum laude, from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Calif.

As senior editor for Judson Press, Lawrence looks to identify book ideas that are highly relevant to the spiritual and intellectual needs of the faithful as well as seekers. In addition, she seeks to help authors look their best by ensuring that engaging ideas are expressed clearly and professionally.

“I look forward to building on our nearly 200 years of quality publication as we prepare Judson Press for the future,” says Lawrence. “It’s a privilege to serve God and God’s Church in this capacity.”

An American Baptist-ordained pastor, Lawrence was acting pastor of Second Baptist Church, Suffield, Conn., 2020-2022. Before that, she was transitional pastor at Enfield (Conn.) American Baptist Church and music minister at Firestone Park Christian Church, Akron, Ohio.

She was an adjunct instructor in Music and Humanities at Excelsior College and in Early Childhood Education at Hudson Valley Community College. A postdoctoral research fellow, she has authored many peer-reviewed articles and presented at many conferences. She has authored textbook contributions and also writes for ABHMS’ The Christian Citizen magazine.

Lawrence earned a Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Leadership at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst; an M.M. in Music Performance at the University of Akron; and a B.M. in Music Performance at Heidelberg University.

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.