Since accepting the call to serve as the General Secretary of the American Baptist Churches USA in June 2017, Rev. Dr. Lee B. Spitzer has cast a vision calling for the American Baptist family to unify around the historic Baptist movement’s core convictions and mission, and to enter into a new era of church growth, evangelism, prophetic witness and creative service in cooperation with our national and regional partners. He thoroughly enjoys the ethnic and racial diversity of our American Baptist family, which includes approximately 5,000 churches and 1.3 million members.
Judson Press has published two books by Dr. Spitzer. Making Friends, Making Disciples (2010) explores how relationships impact our lives and the discipleship and evangelism ministries of churches. His newest book, Baptists, Jews and the Holocaust: the Hand of Sincere Friendship (2017), reveals how Baptists in the United States responded to Nazism, anti-Semitism and the Holocaust.
Dr. Spitzer has written other scholarly articles and books, including Endless Possibilities: Exploring the Journeys of Your Life (1997) and the companion Endless Possibilities Course Book (2001). In A Summer’s Journey (2001), he chronicled his unique pilgrimage to Israel during a summer of terrorism and turmoil. He authored three articles on children’s spirituality for the Encyclopedia of Religious and Spiritual Development (2006), and a chapter on “Friendship” in Learning to Lead (2012), edited by Dr. Willard Ashley. In 2017, LERBAN (the publishing ministry of the Convenção Batista Nacional, Brazil), published a Portuguese language adaptation of Endless Possibilities, entitled, Possibilidades Sem Fim.
Dr. Spitzer has been married for forty-one years and has two children, Joshua and Larisa, and one grandson, Restyn Joshua Skinner. His wife, Lois, is an associate professor at Stockton University. Both Lee and Lois were born into Jewish homes and converted to Christianity as teenagers in the early 1970s. They enjoy sharing with Christians about the Jewish foundations of Christianity.
Posted Articles
Register Now for Being Baptist Online Course With Early Bird Discount Until July 31
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (ABNS 7/23/24)— Registration is now open for the ABHMS Center for Continuous Learning online course Being Baptist: History, Identity & Polity. Over six consecutive weeks beginning September 3, the new cohort will explore the roots of Baptist history, the relationships between different Baptist groups, and the distinctive convictions of Baptist identity. […]
ABWM Calls New Executive Director
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (ABNS 7/11/24)–The Rev. Dr. Christine A. Smith, National President of the American Baptist Women’s Ministries, made the following announcement: “On behalf of the American Baptist Women’s Ministries Executive Committee and Official Board of Presidents, we joyfully and unanimously announce the calling of the Reverend LaThelma Yenn-Batah as our next Executive Director. […]
ABHMS Calls for Prayers and Response to Hurricane Beryl
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (ABNS 7/11/24)—Though Hurricane Beryl was downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane before reaching Texas, the storm still wreaked havoc after making landfall. Devastating winds, rain and resultant flooding have claimed ten lives across Texas and Louisiana to date, a number expected to increase, and caused widespread power outages affecting millions. “We […]
ABC of Vermont and New Hampshire Announces Opening of Applications for Executive Minister
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (ABNS 6/24/24)—The American Baptist Churches of Vermont and New Hampshire region has announced the opening of applications for its next Executive Minister. The Executive Minister will serve as theologian, evangelist, visionary, conservator of the faith, and biblical role model, as well as promote a spirit of unity within the diverse array […]
Rev. Dr. Gina C. Jacobs-Strain Installed as General Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (ABNS 6/24/24)—Rev. Dr. Gina C. Jacobs-Strain was installed as General Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA on Thursday evening, June 13, at the Federated Church of Green Lake, Wis. The installation was an integral part of the American Baptist Churches USA Board of General Ministries meeting, which was held June 12-14 […]
American Baptist Chief Financial Officers Come Together for Time of Connection
7 Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. 8 They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, […]
Recognizing Juneteenth on June 19
Juneteenth honors the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. The name “Juneteenth” is a blend of two words: “June” and “nineteenth.” It is believed to be the oldest African-American holiday, with annual celebrations on June 19th in different parts of the country dating back to 1866. The Juneteenth anniversary commemorates the arrival of 2,000 […]
ABHMS’ Intercultural Ministries to Kick Off Multi-Year Intergenerational Faith Initiative Focusing on Latino/a Communities
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (ABNS 6/18/24)—American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) proudly announces the first Summit of a new leadership initiative, Conferencia de Liderazgo Intergeneracional (CLI), on June 21 and 22, 2024, at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. Hosted by Latino Ministries, an arm of ABHMS’ Intercultural Ministries, this inaugural event is a collaboration […]
Former ABHMS Staff Member, Pastor, Rev. Richard G. Harris Dies
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (ABNS 5/28/24)—The original news release published May 28, 2024, that announced the passing of the Rev. Richard G. Harris (Rick) has been updated to reflect newly scheduled memorial services. Harris, 78, former national manager of American Baptist Personnel Services (ABPS) at American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS), died May 22 in […]