April 2015
ABCUSA NEWS UPDATE
A monthly newsletter to keep you informed about ABCUSA
Prayers Requested from American Baptists for People from Myanmar (Burma)

This month we are asking American Baptists across the country and around the world to continue to keep Baptists from Burma in prayer.
 

During a recent trip to Malaysia/Thailand/Myanmar (Burma), an ABC delegation including General Secretary Roy Medley and Rev. Florence Li, American Baptist Home Mission Societies National Coordinator/Asian Churches Strategist, along with Jim Winkler, President and General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ, met many people who requested continued prayer from delegation members and the larger American Baptist family.

 

Read some stories the group brought back from the trip with them, here.

 

ABHMS Seeks Applicants for Executive Director Position

The American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) is seeking applicants for the position of Executive Director. Applications must be submitted by May 1, 2015.

 

As part of American Baptist Churches USA, ABHMS answers God's call to live out Christian faith and transform individuals, congregations, and communities through developing Christ-centered leaders, networks and programs committed to witness and evangelism, social justice, discipleship, and mission work across the United States and Puerto Rico. ABHMS' mission emphases are supporting discipleship, building community, seeking justice. View the position posting here

Christian Community Credit Union...Serving the American Baptist Family for over 58 Years

At Christian Community Credit Union our focus is on people, not profits. We help build God's kingdom by partnering with individuals and ministries to help them manage their money in a God-honoring way. Since 1957, we've served the financial needs of the American Baptist family.

 

When you place your money at Christian Community Credit Union, your deposits provide affordable financing to members. Your money is working in the Christian community and building God's Kingdom.


Plus, you get better rates and lower fees. Learn More

American Baptist Churches of Metropolitan New York Appoints Rev. Dr. Cheryl Dudley as Regional Executive Minister

The American Baptist Churches of Metropolitan New York has appointed Rev. Dr. Cheryl Dudley as its new Regional Executive Minister. The Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve the Search Committee recommendation. Dr. Dudley succeeds the Rev. James O. Stallings who has led the region for over 22 years, and concluded his service on April 15, 2015. Dudley will begin serving in this new position on May 1, 2015.

Read the full release here.

Submissions Invited: May 1 Deadline for Ministry Story Opportunity

American Baptist Churches are invited to share their ministry stories with American Baptists across the country and around the world through the "Ministry Story Opportunity." Grant submissions should be received by May 1, 2015. Grants totaling $5,000 will be given to the top stories, and the funding received will go right back in to the church ministry. Submissions of stories in either video or written (with photos) formats are invited. Click here to view the current Ministry Story Opportunity submissions.

Register Today for the Biennial Mission Summit!

Individual Registration is open for the Biennial Mission Summit in Overland Park, Kansas, June 26-28, 2015. Individuals may visit the event website for additional details, to register online or to download a PDF registration form.

 

Learn more about the Biennial Mission Summit and view the Schedule at a Glance under "Schedule," here. We are excited to hold our second round of Mission Summit Conversations among American Baptist leaders and lay people from across the United States and Puerto Rico this June!

 

Visit: www.americanbaptists2015.com.  

Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22...

Earth Day is next Wednesday, April 22, 2015. We invite you to use the worship resources  found here in planning for church services/church bulletins commemorating the occasion of Earth Day in 2015.

 

Two Months Remain until Hampton University Ministers' Conference, ABC Reception

American Baptists attending the Hampton University Ministers' Conference in June are invited to attend an annual ABC Reception on June 10, 2015. This ABC Reception will occur during the 101st Hampton University Ministers' Conference, June 7-12, 2015, in Hampton, Virginia.

 

American Baptists are invited to come together for the ABC Reception on Wednesday, June 10, at 9:30 p.m. (immediately following the evening service). Attendees will gather for a time of fellowship, networking, and sharing resources around American Baptist life.

 

Prayer Time: Nonpartisan Letter Urging Support for Iran Framework Agreement

Roy Medley, General Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA, along with a wide range of American Christian leaders, has signed a nonpartisan letter urging support for the IRAN Framework Agreement.  Medley was part of a U.S. Religious delegation that visited Iran last year. Please pray for this effort, and learn more here. 

Where in the World is General Secretary Medley?
General Secretary A. Roy Medley travels and represents American Baptist Churches USA wherever he goes. 

 

Medley ended the month of March with a personal Spiritual retreat. Throughout the past month, Medley has also continued to support and share about the Transformed by the Spirit initiative. From April 6-10, Medley attended the National Leadership Council meetings at the Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, Wisconsin. In the second half of April, Medley is traveling in the Middle East on a joint mission tour with a group from the Church of the Brethren.
 

On April 8, it was announced that Medley, along with Rev. Dr. Molly T. Marshall, will receive the Luke Mowbray Ecumenical Award to be presented at the Biennial Mission Summit in June 2015. The award is given to an individual for "sustained performance or special achievement" in "the cause of ecumenism." Both Medley and Marshall have contributed greatly to ecumenical and interfaith work locally, nationally, and internationally.


 

Please continue to hold Dr. Medley in your prayers as he travels nationally and internationally, representing American Baptists wherever he goes.  

More Recent Highlights from the ABCUSA Website

James A. Christison Jr. Dies; was a Former ABHMS Executive Director

 

Two New Development Workers to Serve Churches in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest

 

IM Re-establishes Partnership with Baptist Convention of Zambia

 

Medley and Marshall to Receive Luke Mowbray Ecumenical Award

 

Preacher and Civil Rights Leader Gardner Taylor Dies

 

Judson Press Book Relates Women of the Bible to Today's Young Women

 

ABHMS Shares Resources for Socially Responsible Investing

 

American Baptist Women's Ministries Takes Action on Immigration

 

David G. Gnirk to Receive Sparrowk Award

 

The Ministers Council Announces 'Let Go, Behold, Sing' Retreat, June 29-July 1

 

American Baptist Receives Prestigious Pastoral Counseling Award

 

Judson Press Releases Practical Helps for Pastoral Care and Counseling Situations