VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 1/26/10)—Rev. Floyd Harbold passed away on January 21, 2010. Dr. Robert E. Briggs and Rev. Raymond D. Weigum died in 2009. Harbold, Briggs and Weigum all served as ministers of mission support with American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA), and all are remembered for their faithful service.
"All three of these men made outstanding contributions to our understanding of stewardship as whole life stewardship,” General Secretary Roy Medley said. “They were ardent supporters of American Baptist mission in all expressions, deeply connected with congregations where they served. These men were exceptional men for field ministry with American Baptist Churches."
Harbold was ordained at the First Baptist Church of Berlin, WI and later served First Baptist Church of La Crosse, WI. Following these pastorates he served for over 20 years on the ABC/WI and ABCUSA staff as in the area of World Mission Support.
A memorial service will be held for Harbold at Immanuel Baptist Church, 4250 North 137th Street, Brookfield, WI on Saturday, February 13th. Visitation will be from 11:30am to 2:00pm, the service will be at 2:00pm and a meal will be served at 4:00pm.
Sam Brink, current minister of church resources and mission support for American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin, remembered Harbold saying,“Floyd believed and practiced the truth that mission is at the heart of God. As a proud member of The Order of Luther Rice, he carried the spirit of Luther Rice throughout his ministry and even into retired life as he sought to encourage support of missions.” Brink continued, “Floyd was a mentor to many who served as Minister of Mission Support and never tired of lifting up the wider ministry of ABCUSA.”
Weigum passed away on June 17, 2009, in Middlefield, Ohio. Weigum began his preaching career before finishing college at age 19, and preached for over 25 years before serving with the Baptist mission program. He then served as associate director for world mission support for ABCUSA. He served in and led trips to Zaire, Israel, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and many other countries serving and leading. He is remembered for his long service and enthusiasm for mission and ministry.
Briggs, who served in the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region (ABC/GRR), also passed away in June 2009. Briggs was originally called from his position as pastor to serve as the first minister of the division of World Mission Support in the ABC/GRR. He spent twenty years helping churches with stewardship, promoting the support of American Baptist mission and ministry, and encouraging support to the denomination.
“In the right place at this pivotal time, Bob’s long tenure helped shape the Great Rivers Region and ABCUSA. Those of us serving the Great Rivers Region today have no hesitancy in identifying Bob as one of the giants on whose shoulders we stand,” said J. Dwight Stinnett, executive minister of ABC/GRR.
We give God thanks for the lives and ministry of these influential members of the American Baptist World Mission Support team and hold their families close in our prayers.
American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with 5,500 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.