The new year brings exciting changes to American Baptist Home Mission Societies. As the organization draws ever closer to celebrating its two-century anniversary, Dr. Jeffrey Haggray takes the helm as new executive director.

  

Thanks to a $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., ABHMS joins with 26 other organizations across the United States to participate in the "National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders." We look forward to establishing a program designed especially to help and support American Baptist pastoral leaders and, in turn, their families and congregations.

  

Also this year--in just a few months, actually--we will launch a new website. Our ABHMS Communications and IT teams have been collaborating for some time to develop a state-of-the art site with a plethora of useful "bells and whistles." While some of the features will be behind the scenes, many more will be up front and center. We are excited about using this new tool to tell our powerful ministry stories. Stay tuned for that launch date.

  

We give thanks for the change a new year brings because it provides the opportunity to continue strengthening our ministry to American Baptists and their churches.

  

Here's to a new year that unfolds with all the promise it holds today for ABHMS, and for you.