VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 9/7/10)—The Board of National Ministries, now carrying out ministry as American Baptist Home Mission Societies, seeks nominations for ministry awards to be announced at the American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) 2011 Biennial, June 24-26, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Nominations are sought for nine national-recognition ministry awards that honor American Baptist individuals, congregations, and organizations for exceptional faithfulness in ministry. In addition, nominations will be accepted for the Luke Mowbray Ecumenical Award to be presented by ABCUSA.
Nominations can be submitted online or by fax, e-mail, or postal mail. Deadline is Oct. 15, 2010.
Awards are as follows:
• Edwin T. Dahlberg Peace Award to an individual or church for outstanding work for peace;
• Jitsuo Morikawa Evangelism Award to a layperson for outstanding leadership in holistic evangelism;
• Rosa O. Hall Rural and Small Town Award to a pastor for exceptional effectiveness in rural ministry or small town ministry;
• Edward H. Rhoades Urban Ministry Award to a pastor for exceptional effectiveness in urban ministry;
• Richard Hoiland Local Christian Education Award to an individual for faithful, effective leadership in Christian education;
• Luther Wesley Smith Education Award to an individual for faithful, effective leadership in strengthening Christian education at an American Baptist-related college or seminary;
• Kenneth L. Cober Regional Discipleship Award to an individual for faithful, effective leadership in discipleship education in an American Baptist region;
• Newton C. Fetter Higher Education and Campus Ministry Award to an individual for significant innovation in campus ministry;
• Religious Freedom Award to an individual, church, or organization for leadership in defending God-given religious liberty for all; and
• Luke Mowbray Ecumenical Award to an individual for outstanding ecumenical work at the local, state, national, or international level (presented by ABCUSA).
Dr. Clifford I. Johnson, president of the Board of National Ministries says, “In presenting these awards, we recognize the invaluable contributions of American Baptists past and present who have modeled for us the way of Christlike servanthood, who have inspired and encouraged us in our faith walk, as they have humbly shared their time, talents, and resources, all in the name of the one who came not to be served, but to serve.”
Award winners will be selected in November; therefore, submission of nominations by the deadline is important. Hard copies of forms are available in Spanish. Nominations submitted by postal mail must be postmarked by or on Oct. 15; those submitted online or by e-mail or fax must be sent by or on Oct. 15.
To submit nominations online, visit abhms.org. Or submit nominations to the attention of Susan Bogle via fax at 610-768-2470, e-mail via sbogle@abhms.org, or postal mail to P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851. For more information, call 800-222-3872, x2028.
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.