Entries for June 2011

The General Board meetings of American Baptist Churches USA came to a close on Wednesday, June 29, which marked the last meeting of the General Board before the amendments to the bylaws take effect on January 1, 2012. 

The General Board meetings of American Baptist Churches USA began in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Monday, June 27, at the Sheraton Hotel following the American Baptist Biennial, Celebrate! 2011.

At the June 28-29 meeting of the Board of American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS), Executive Director Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III and leadership team members introduced a strategic plan—developed through a process that involved feedback from constituents and partners—that will move the mission organization into the coming decade and beyond.

The third day of the Biennial came to a close after a final worship service on Sunday evening, June 26, where Rev. Dr. Alyn E. Waller, senior pastor of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pa., preached about Celebrating God’s Way. Prior to the sermon, attendees were greeted by newly appointed US ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom, Rev. Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook, who identified herself as a “proud American Baptist pastor.”

In its events and activities at American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) 2011 Biennial Friday through Sunday, American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) celebrated its tenets of discipleship, community and justice and spotlighted its new initiative to enlist passionaries for Christ.

The delegates to the American Baptist Biennial meeting voted on and passed the proposed amendments to the bylaws of the American Baptist Churches USA in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Saturday, June 25. The announcement of the vote was made at the second discernment session on Sunday, June 26. The bylaws change will be effective January 1, 2012.

Rev. Dr. Roberto Dieppa-Báez, executive minister of Las Iglesias Bautistas de Puerto Rico, gave the message at the Biennial worship service on Saturday evening, June 25, 2011. The theme of the service was Celebrate God’s Power, and Dieppa-Báez highlighted a service held entirely in Spanish and translated for English speaking attendees.

On Friday, June 24, groups and individuals attending the Biennial meetings came together for worship, a welcome to “Celebrate! 2011.” The Biennial, taking place in San Juan, Puerto Rico, runs from June 24-26, 2011.

Las Iglesias Bautistas Americanas, (ABC-USA por sus siglas en inglés) estarán celebrando su asamblea bienal del 24 al 26 de junio de 2011, en San Juan, Puerto Rico.  La Bienal marca el regreso a Puerto Rico desde la última celebración en la Isla hace 30 años.

American Baptists are gathering for the American Baptist Biennial in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from June 24 to June 26, 2011. The meeting marks a return to Puerto Rico 30 years after the Biennial meetings first took place in San Juan.