VALLEY FORGE, PA (9/1/22)—The American Baptist Home Mission Societies’ Office of the Ecclesiastical Endorser is pleased to announce the names of American Baptist leaders in chaplaincy and specialized ministries who will receive its 2022 national-recognition ministry awards for merit. Awardees were selected by the Committee on Nominations from submissions by clergy and laypersons across the United States and Puerto Rico. Award recipients will be formally recognized at the Spiritual Caregivers Conference at Space for Grace 2022 during the inaugural Chaplaincy Luncheon on September 20, 2022, at the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center in Missouri.
“We are looking forward to celebrating the amazing leadership of this year’s awardees in person. These honorees embody the ministry of presence in their daily individual practices,” says the Rev. Dr. Patricia Murphy, BCC, Ecclesiastical Endorser of ABHMS/ABCUSA.
Ch, Col (sel) Ronnelle Armstrong, U.S. Air Force, will receive the Lorraine K. Potter Military Chaplaincy Merit Award for faithful and effective pastoral and spiritual care in the U.S. military. Armstrong served as the nation’s first Space Force Chaplain. In addition, he has served as a chaplain within the White House during the Obama and Trump Administrations.
CH (LT) Kadin Williams, U.S. Navy, will also receive the Lorraine K. Potter Military Chaplaincy Merit Award for his exceptional and faithful care for U.S military service members. Williams ministered to two of the most extensive commands available to a junior chaplain over the last year. In his role, has served more than 2,700 sailors, building and developing their resiliency and coping skills.
Rev. Patricia Ann Ray, BCC, will receive the Paul Strickland Institutional Chaplaincy Merit Award for outstanding pastoral and spiritual care in an institutional setting, such as a hospital or college. Ray serves as a Mental Health Chaplain in Anchorage, Alaska, where she has provided unsurmountable spiritual care and support to patients, families and staff.
Rev. Joy Freeman, BCC, will receive the American Baptist National Network Merit Award for commitment to effective service as a specialized minister. Freeman provided excellent leadership during the initial stages of COVID by implementing a care plan that provided spiritual care and support to patients’ families and staff.
Notes of congratulations to the award honorees can be sent to: endorsement@abhms.org.
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.