VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 9/20/17)—The American Baptist Churches of Connecticut has announced that the Rev. Dr. Harry Riggs, II, has been called to the position of Executive Minister of the region. Riggs has been active in ministry for 30 years, faithfully serving three churches, which includes his current pastorate at the First Baptist Church, Lincoln, Neb., where he has served for the past ten years.

Hopeton Scott, co-chair of the Executive Minister Search Committee, said, “Dr. Harry Riggs’s clear vision for the Church and his warm, genuine pastoral presence endeared him to the leadership of this region. It is with great excitement and wonderful enthusiasm that the ABCCONN family welcomes him as our Executive Minister.”

“I am delighted that the American Baptist Churches of Connecticut has called Rev. Dr. Harry Riggs to serve as its next Executive Minister, and I am looking forward to working with him and the region as they enter into a new journey together,” said Rev. Dr. Lee B. Spitzer, ABCUSA General Secretary.

Jeff Woods, associate general secretary for Regional Ministries, said, “I am so excited for the American Baptist Churches of Connecticut. Harry’s leadership experience runs deep and his passion for ministry is contagious. This is a wonderful opportunity for ABCCONN and for American Baptist Churches USA.”

In addition to serving in three pastorates, Riggs worked on the denominational level in leadership with American Baptist Home Mission Societies of American Baptist Churches USA (formally National Ministries), where he served as the National Director of Congregational Transformation. Riggs also served on the staff of Palmer Seminary as an adjunct professor in the D. Min. program for Congregational Transformation and Renewal.

Riggs received his M. Div. degree from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in Rochester, NY. He also holds a D. Min. degree from Palmer Seminary in Marriage and Family. He has been married for 31 years to the former Deidra Shelton. They have two children, Jordan and Alexandra.

As a pastor, he has seen his role as being God’s agent of change towards a preferred future. As a deeply devoted follower of Jesus Christ, loving husband, father, his over-arching aspiration is to leave a legacy in the Church of Jesus Christ that is relevant and meaningful for the generation that will follow.

Riggs will begin as Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of Connecticut on November 1, 2017.

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.