“Beneath the Skin: Baptists and Racism,” the program at Saturday’s served luncheon (June 27, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.), will feature a panel discussion about race and religion, based on a DVD produced by the Baptist Center for Ethics with National Ministries’ support. Dr. Robert Parham, founder and executive director of the center and its www.ethicsdaily.com, will moderate the discussion.

Reared in Nigeria as the child of missionaries, Parham holds a doctorate from Baylor University, a master of divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a bachelor’s degree in foreign service from Georgetown University. His columns have appeared in a number of daily newspapers, and he has been featured on CNN’s Talk Back Live, MSNBC’s Chat, ABC World News Tonight, Fox News, and National Public Radio’s Morning Edition.

Panelists include:

1. Dr. Juan Martinez, assistant dean, Hispanic Church Studies department, and associate professor, Hispanic Studies and Pastoral Leadership, School of Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA
2. Rev. Katie Choy-Wong, pastor, New Life Christian Fellowship, Castro Valley, CA
3. Dr. Warren H. Stewart Sr., pastor, First Institutional Baptist Church, Phoenix, AZ
4. Rev. Rudy Carrasco, executive director, Harambee Christian Family Center, Pasadena, AZ

“Role Models for Walking the Talk in the 21st Century,” the program at Sunday’s served luncheon (June 28, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.), will feature Baptist minister Al Staggs re-enacting the lives of major theologians and social justice activists Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Clarence Jordan.

Staggs holds a doctorate from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary; a Master of Theology from Harvard Divinity School, where he was named Charles E. Merrill Fellow in 1983; a master of religious education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; and a bachelor’s degree from Hardin-Simmons University. He also interned in Clinical Pastoral Education at Baylor University Medical Center.

After 20 years in parish and chaplaincy ministry, Staggs realized his passion in working for peace and justice by bringing notable figures to life through dramatization and sharing their relevant messages with audiences throughout the world.

Unsubsidized tickets for each luncheon cost $35 per person; subsidized tickets cost $30 per person.

Visit www.abc-usa.org to register for ABCUSA’s 2009 Biennial and these inspirational luncheons.

American Baptist Churches USA 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.