VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 8/27/10)—Rev. Ruth Morales, former associate minister and active member at First Baptist Church of Los Angeles, passed away on Wednesday, August 25, 2010. She was surrounded by family and friends.

Ruth served as an associate minister at the First Baptist Church in Los Angeles for many years and in many capacities. After her "retirement" from the position of associate minister, she continued in ministry, coordinating Ebenezer, the Latino Fellowship at the church, and helping out in a number of ways including visiting, calling and pastoring church members.

“Ruth was a wonderful and influential leader in ABC life. We are grateful for the way God used her to his glory, and we rejoice that he has now received her into the fullness of his kingdom,” said general secretary Roy Medley.

She served in various American Baptist leadership roles, including on the boards of the Christian Community Credit Union, the American Baptist Theological Center at Fuller Seminary, and the American Baptist Churches of Los Angeles. She was also active for many years in the American Baptist Women's Ministries (ABWM). She was a regular attendee of the American Baptist Biennial, as well as Women’s Day events held by ABWM preceding the Biennial. 

Virginia Holmstrom, executive director of American Baptist Women's Ministries, said, "Ruth Morales provided national leadership to American Baptist Women's Ministries in 1987-90 as chairwoman of Spiritual Growth and Family Life. I especially appreciated her unceasing advocacy for resources for persons whose first language is Spanish. Through the years she continued to support women's and girls' ministries at all levels. American Baptist women will miss her greatly."

"We at First Baptist are all still reeling from this great loss, but know that Ruth is now at peace with her Lord.  Please continue to remember her family, and particularly her sons Alex and David, in your thoughts and prayers," said Sandra Rogers, First Baptist Church of Los Angeles.

A memorial service for Ruth Morales is scheduled for Sunday, September 5 at 12:30 p.m. First Baptist Church of Los Angeles, 760 S. Westmoreland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90005.

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.