VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 4/20/10)—On the anniversary of its founding organization, The American Baptist Home Mission Society, National Ministries will lift up its centuries-long legacy of mission across the United States and Puerto Rico and reclaim its historic names.

A day of worship and celebration will mark the event, which begins at Mariner’s Temple Baptist Church, 3 Henry Street, New York, N.Y., near the site where The American Baptist Home Mission Society was founded on April 27, 1832, with the grand purpose of “the preaching of the Gospel to every creature in our country.”

A luncheon at the Interchurch Center, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, N.Y., will feature American Baptist historian Dr. William Brackney, Rev. Dr. Millard R. Cherry Distinguished Professor of Christian Theology and Ethics at Acadia Divinity College in Nova Scotia, Canada.

A service of consecration and communion will close the day at The Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Drive, New York, N.Y., where participants will affirm the continuing witness of American Baptist home mission in the 21st century.

Additional distinguished speakers include Dr. Anthea Butler, associate professor of religion at the University of Pennsylvania, and Rev. Dr. Adam Bond, assistant professor of historical studies at Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology. Dr. Al Staggs will share an original dramatic presentation of John Mason Peck in the morning and present excerpts of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Beyond Vietnam” speech in the afternoon at Riverside Church, where King delivered it in 1967.

All are invited to take part in this historic day. Look for more detailed information at www.nationalministries.org or contact Karen Drummond at karen.drummond@abc-usa.org or 800-ABC-3USA, x2394.

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.