The late day sun poured through the vibrant stained glass windows of Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., on Friday, transforming brilliant panes of blue, red, yellow and orange into patches of electric color.

Add to this picture the choirs swaying back and forth and the soul-stirring organ, and it's no wonder that the setting filled hungry hearts with faith and hope as we sang the opening hymn, "Be Thou My Vision." The musicians deliberately slowed the tempo of the last verse, punctuating the message with
chime-like percussion:

"Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word;" we sang; "I ever with Thee and Thou with me Lord; Heart of my own heart, whatever befall ... Still be my vision."

The singular focus of this hymn, counting on God to guide the way, set the stage for the commissioning of our new Executive Director Dr. Jeffrey Haggray as we celebrated the historic ministries of American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS), which has remained steadfast in its call to stay focused on God's lead for close to two centuries.

Now, with new leadership, ABHMS has renewed its commitment to mission and

ministry rooted in the Christian Gospels, mission and ministry that impacts churches

and communities across the United States and Puerto Rico, bringing transformation

and healing.

If you missed this worship experience, watch it on our Facebook page. I know you will be as touched as I was by the moving words of the Rev. Lauren Ng, the featured preacher, along with the choirs' powerful rendition of "Amazing Grace" that swelled from close to a whisper to rocking the reverberating sanctuary.