VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 10/14/09)—Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, executive director of the District of Columbia Baptist Convention (DCBC), has been called as senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Washington D.C.
Haggray was voted in by the church during a business meeting on October 11. He will leave DCBC after over eight years of service after its annual meeting ending October 27. He will begin preaching at First Baptist Church of Washington, D.C., on November 15.
“I am honored to have been extended a call to pastor the First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C. I am humbled and grateful for this opportunity to serve such an historic congregation with its rich heritage in this great city that I love,” Haggray said in a statement.
“The past eight years have been a wonderful time serving our congregations, taking on new challenges in missions, and working with our congregations,” Haggray said. “I am thankful to have had the opportunity to serve as executive director/minister of the convention.”
Founded in 1801, DCBC is triply aligned with American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA), the Progressive National Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention.
While working with DCBC, Haggray navigated through financial troubles and initiated a new marketing communications plan which changed the Convention’s visual identity including a new logo, re-vitalized website and slogan, “One Faith. Many Cultures. Endless Possibilities.”
“The DCBC has benefited greatly from Jeffrey’s visionary approach and results-oriented leadership style,” said C. Jeff Woods, associate general secretary for regional ministries with ABCUSA. “We will miss his contributions to the wider American Baptist family, but we know that God will continue to bless his efforts in this next chapter of ministry.”
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.