It was appropriate juxtaposition of old and new that our new website launched on the anniversary of the founding of the American Baptist Home Mission Society. This root of today's American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) was established April 27, 1832, at a New York City meeting house "to preach the gospel, establish churches, and give support to ministry among the unchurched and destitute." Much of the ministry at that point focused on the ever-expanding U.S. frontier.
In the 184 years between then and now, the world has changed a lot. The booklet, "Faithful to the Call," that chronicles our history describes the times that birthed the organization in this way: "Settlement of the American West was fueled by innovations like the telegraph, the Pony Express and coast-to-coast railways."
It's a challenge to think of the Pony Express as innovation, don't you think? Perhaps even more challenging is considering how simplistic future generations may view the technology that we see as so innovative today.
What's comforting, though, is that ABHMS was there on the frontier close to 200 years ago bringing God's Good News in the midst of 19th century trials and tribulations. By launching our new website, we give testimony of our commitment to bring God's Good News to 21st century frontiers, which are not necessary geographic, but still filled with trial and tribulation. And you can count on ABHMS to be there, for generations to come, sharing the Good News of God's love with a hurting world in ever more innovative ways on frontiers we can't begin to imagine now.
Amen? Amen!
Susan Gottshall
Associate Executive Director, Communications
American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS)
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