The reflection below was written by Rev. Don Ng, ABCUSA vice president and nominee to serve as president for the term running from January 1, 2014-December 31, 2015.

Some of my fondest childhood memories are the times when I was growing up at the First Baptist Church of Boston. At Christmas, I remember the tree in the fellowship hall that was taller than any tree I have ever seen, especially inside a room. And in our living room at home, church ladies would teach us how to play parlor games like “who stole the penny.”

I grew up American Baptist because the FBC helped my father sponsor my mother to come to America after World War II. My father was drafted into the US Army and completed an honorable service as a corporal. Now having been granted citizenship, under the Displaced Persons Act, he unified our family with the help of FBC. It was only after my mother came to Boston that I was born. And the rest is history!

I have no idea why FBC started reaching out to the Chinese in Boston, and how my father first started attending that church. But for a church that was largely all white for the many years since its founding in 1665, it had a heart for welcoming the stranger. When immigrants and refugees come to a new land, they have often left behind all their life tools to survive and become successful. What was once familiar and normal is now very foreign and disorienting. The stress of navigating daily living can take a heavy toll on mental health and family life. On many occasions, professional qualifications are often unrecognized in one’s new country, sending people to work in unskilled jobs and devastating confidence and self-esteem. Even after serving in the US Army, my father became a Chinese laundryman and a Chinese restaurant waiter. My mother worked as a seamstress, making pennies on every garment she sewed together. While this may have been hard work for my parents and other immigrants and refugees coming to our shores, I am personally grateful for the commitment that American Baptists and FBC of Boston have to immigration and refugee resettlement.

When we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and visit the prisoner, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40). I understand that in comparison to other religious groups, American Baptists are the leaders in immigrant and refugee resettlements! Based on my experience, they are!

One of the main agendas facing our country today is passing new immigration legislation. Progress may be made because of political and economical strategies. But as Christians, we have another mandate for a new immigration policy because we are all members of God’s family. I am proud to be an American Baptist because we have welcomed the stranger and in doing so, we are continuing to welcome Jesus Christ in our lives and in the world.

During the meeting with 6 representatives from various desks related to Burma, the delegation addressed five main concerns: 

1)  the continued military offensive against the Kachin and the state of the peace talks;
2) the abuses of women and children by the military, especially the rape of women and the recruitment of child soldiers;
3) ongoing religious persecution of Christians –especially the desecration of churches;
4) the imposition of sanctions against the military; and
5) the future of the camps along the Thai-Burma border.

Florence Li, national coordinator and Asian churches strategist with the American Baptist Home Mission Societies said, “The meeting was very productive and the conversations exchanged will impact the U.S. government in their engagement process with Burma. It was well understood that the Kachin people together with other ethnic minority people groups will continue to stand for their human rights and religious freedom through their solidarity.”

The delegation met with the state department officials who were interested in the first-hand accounts members of the delegation offered.  There was a lot of give and take of information as the conversation developed.

“We are very fortunate to have Rev. Florence Li of ABHMS who compiled a workbook with a great deal of information about our concerns that was distributed to the officials present,” remarked Dr. Medley. “In addition, the first-hand accounts that our delegation was able to give were well received.   Our visits are important for the information and perspectives we offer and for the visible concern of American Baptists that we represent.

Members of the delegation included:  Aundriea Alexander (ABHMS), Raimundo Barreto (BWA), Rothangliani Chhangte (BWA), Saw Ler Htoo (Karen leader), Duh Kam (Chin leader); Zauya Lahpai (Kachin leader); Hkadin Lahtaw Lee (Kachin women); Florence Li (ABHMS), Gam San Maung (Kachin Alliance),  Naw San Dee KD (Kachin leader), Stan Murray (Inernational Ministries).

Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 (NRSV)          

¹ You who live in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
² will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress;
my God, in whom I trust.”

⁹ Because you have made the Lord your refuge,
the Most High your dwelling place,
¹⁰ no evil shall befall you,
no scourge come near your tent.

¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
¹² On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.
¹³ You will tread on the lion and the adder,
the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.

¹⁴ Those who love me, I will deliver;
I will protect those who know my name.
¹⁵ When they call to me, I will answer them;
I will be with them in trouble,
I will rescue them and honor them.
¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy them,
and show them my salvation.

Romans 10:8b-13 (NRSV)

⁸ “The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);
⁹ because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
¹⁰ For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.
¹¹ The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.”
¹² For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him.
¹³ For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Prayer Requests:

–May ABC churches continue to grow as they seek to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
–For the gathering of American Baptists in Overland Park, KS, in June.
– For freedom and peace to live together.

Prayer:  Lord God, our refuge and fortress, we trust in you.  We journey through these days called Lent, seeking a deeper relationship with you.  We thank you for our salvation. We know when we call your name, you are there.  We are sustained by your love. Thank you.

VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 2/8/13)—MMBB Financial Services (The Ministers and Missionairies Benefit Board) announced that Mr. Louis P. Barbarin will assume the role of executive director on March 1, 2013, following Rev. Dr. Sumner Grant’s retirement. The MMBB Board of Managers met in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., to make its unanimous decision to appoint Mr. Barbarin, MMBB’s current deputy executive director, chief financial officer and treasurer, to this position.

“Louis has served MMBB with distinction for the past 14 years,” said Rev. Dr. George H. Tooze, Jr., president, MMBB Board of Managers. “He knows the organization and the people.  He is dedicated to our ministry. The decision to appoint Louis was not a hard one for the Board—we are confident that he will continue to lead MMBB forward as a financial services organization dedicated to real planning and real solutions.”

Mr. Barbarin initially joined MMBB as assistant treasurer; he was elected treasurer in 1998. In 2010, Louis assumed the role of deputy executive director, assisting The Rev. Dr. Grant with strategic and tactical initiatives that support MMBB’s mission.

Prior to joining MMBB, Mr. Barbarin served as the deputy executive director and treasurer of the American Baptist Board of Education and Publication.

Other experiences include serving as controller and acting vice president of finance at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania and a professional career at the accounting firm of KPMG.

“It’s an honor to have been selected for this role,” said Mr. Barbarin. “I have worked closely with Sumner over the years and have appreciated his steadfast commitment to providing benefits and protections to clergy and lay church workers who are without. I am looking forward to working with MMBB’s dedicated staff to expand our ministry to new faith-based organizations and to serve our members with generosity and justice.”

Mr. Barbarin holds a Bachelors of Science in Accounting and a Masters in Finance from Pennsylvania State University and has completed Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program. He is licensed as a certified public accountant in New York and Pennsylvania.

He currently serves on the Board of The Interchurch Center as treasurer and chair of the Finance Committee. Mr. Barbarin also serves on the Board and Finance Committees of the Kendal Corporation, a network of continuous care retirement communities that provide housing and other services to its residents. Prior volunteer experiences include Habitat for Humanity of Chester County, The American Baptist Foundation, ABCON Credit Union and Trinity Press International.

“MMBB Financial Services (The Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board) offers flexible and affordable benefits packages to faith-based employers and their staff throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. MMBB carries forward the 100-year tradition of The Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board—pioneers in providing employee benefits. With $2.5 billion in assets, MMBB offers clients the consultative services they need to succeed. Real planning, real solutions. That’s our calling.”

Initially focused on institutions associated with the Northern Baptist Convention (later renamed the American Baptist Convention and then American Baptist Churches USA), MMBB now offers benefits to any church or faith-based organization with similar faith and practice of ABCUSA.

A non-profit Christian organization, The Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board (MMBB) has served churches and faith-based organizations since 1911. With a strong expertise of the ministry and its complex tax laws and other financial issues, MMBB serves more than 17,000 members across a wide range of denominations, offering “one-stop shopping” for employees including retirement, life, disability, medical and dental plans—to ensure that employers and their employees have sound peace of mind and financial security.

 American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with over 5,200 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.

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The Youth for Youth program, based out of Greenville Baptist Church in Greenville, RI, is addressing the problem of bullying directly.  Their mission is “to support and create youth developed and facilitated programs that educate and inspire youth to combat intolerance, bullying and violence, including date violence.”  In partnership with their local Home Depot, they have created a series of Living Murals to tell the stories of bullying and inspire dialogue. These integrated murals use monologues written by victims to foster empathy for all involved in the tragedies of bullying. They also develop community among the young writers, actors and visual artists involved.

Greg Rubano, a retired teacher and former Rhode Island Teacher of the Year finalist, directs the group.  He hopes that the murals will travel the state to churches, Y’s, schools and similar venues. One presentation will be inside Home Depot. Rubano sees the mural presentations as high visibility community building events worthy of support by foundations, businesses, and concerned individuals. He is currently directing the Living Murals creation at Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts (TAPA), a charter school in inner city Providence.

Youth for Youth was created in response to the inspirational leadership efforts of RETHINKIT, whose mission is to address issues of youth violence.  Originally funded in 2010 by a grant from American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island, RETHINKIT is a youth facilitated ministry coming out of South Providence Neighborhood Ministries.  Last year alone, RETHINKIT statewide presentations were heard by over 4,000 youth and their families and leaders.

Many of the RETHINKIT presentations are done for free, and so both groups need to find support to pay for costs. This year, as they did last year, the two groups are coming together to co-sponsor a bowling fund-raiser, “We Must Step Up Now,” which will also include a tribute to the Newtown victims.

Youth for Youth is intentionally non-sectarian and open to all.  The problems and consequences of violence pervade all areas of our communities, and should be addressed by a broad spectrum of the community. In fact, as the program has grown, it has expanded its reach beyond high school students to also include young adults in the 18-29 year old age range and older adults, including grandparents. Some have not been in a church since they were children. Interestingly, the group is considering renaming itself All For Youth. 

Some of the members are survivors of bullying; all have a passion for helping others.  All agree that the response to violence must be action.  Youth for Youth provides a model of commitment and hope on the part of the youth themselves. Attempting to defuse violence by promoting an understanding of the methods and desperation of those who bully, the group seeks to give the victimized the voice they deserve.

Rubano often quotes Mother Teresa: “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”

Initiatives such as Youth For Youth show the love of neighbor that God requires of us all.

“Greenville Baptist Church, which houses Youth For Youth, is a wonderful mission driven church dedicated to peacemaking and community building. The church members, the Mission Board, and Pastor Wendy have been inspirations to all of us,” said Rubano.

ABCUSA President – Rev. Don Ng

ABCUSA Vice President – Rev. Judy Fackenthal

ABCUSA Budget Review Officer – Paul Higgins

Yes, friends, ABCUSA can boldly and humbly and thankfully share some good news that a growing list of generous donors from across the country, together with our ABC ministry partners, have joined in the financial journey because they have grasped the vision of Transformed by the Spirit (TbyS). It is a vision of renewal that provides a way for our ABC congregations to work together in a discernment process to help ABC reclaim our heritage as pioneers and to be reshaped by participating in a discovery process to follow the voice and leading of the Spirit. One of our Executive Ministers, Robin Stoops, ABC of Nebraska, commented on a particular impact of TbyS in his region. In working on a ministry project with a group of persons, he noticed that the group began falling back into the old school kind of negative thinking regarding infrastructure issues. But, “the introduction of TbyS into the conversation unleashed a whole new burst of energy, resulting in an exciting paradigm shift. The group reframed its approach,” said Rev. Stoops, “and its energy is now focused on capturing the ministry potential of our people, not on the matter of construction and buildings. It was refreshing to experience this shift to a more positive focus.”

Truth be told, ABC has not been engaged in a financial campaign since the 1980s, and when we attempted to conduct another one in early 2003 the recommendation of the consultants was “no campaign because of the current Baptist culture.” Our faithful God continued to walk with us through the years, and guided us across that long wilderness. Today a fresh wind of the Spirit is blowing, and ABC people from across the country are encouraging us financially even beyond our expectations. A retired ABC pastor became so excited with the TbyS initiative that he offered a valuable suggestion (and we are taking him up on it) to reach out to retired executives and pastors of key churches and ask them for a gift of $500.  We are experiencing the formation of a new culture of philanthropy that is beginning to help ABC live into its God-given mission.

Let’s be more specific. Two years ago, we set a total goal of raising $800,000 to sustain the TbyS initiative through the June 2013 Mission Summit/Biennial in Overland Park, Kansas. Our four national partners (ABCUSA, ABHMS, IM and MMBB – together with AB Women’s Ministries) seeded their commitment with a combined financial investment of $205,000 as a base for raising the goal. This generosity was in itself a most tangible display of unity. About MMBB’s contribution, Executive Director Sumner Grant, said, “God is doing a new thing in our midst. I am excited to be part of it.”

Last December one donor responded to a solicitation with a gift of $50,000. Other donors have heard the good news about the progress being made through Transformed by the Spirit and have sent additional contributions. These contributions added generously to the end-of-the-year expected and unexpected gifts we received. Money is talk$ng, and the financial momentum is growing as TbyS is helping us to fund and become more intentional, strategic and committed to assisting ABC congregations become vital communities of faith and witness.

Another way to look at the blessings and excitement inspired by TbyS is the cost benefits to the denomination. At least 29 ABC regions (from a total of 33) have joined together in this denomination-wide journey. Many of our key ABC leaders have become trained as coaches, team leaders and group facilitators. Some of our congregations have already begun testing new insights and specific activities that are transforming them. They are also finding ways to connect with the emerging generations among them and to look with new eyes at the cultural and ethnic changes in their communities. In Oregon, for example, the ministry of discipleship is taking center stage around the issue of congregations becoming more effective through intentional reconnection with the communities where they live. Through the process of working with a coach, interviews, various readings and connecting with other churches, they are beginning to discern the relationship between a faith community and the particular needs of surrounding neighborhoods. The kind of pastoral leadership necessary to be successful in these areas is also emerging as vital components on the journey. Yes, money is talk$ng!

Ultimately, we seek to seed TbyS in the soil of every congregation engaged in this discernment process of empowerment. It is our hope that seeds will fall on good ground and take root, and vibrant, missional congregations will emerge and grow as strong fruit-bearing trees in their communities. As of this writing, our Fundraising Team can report that 79 individual donors and 7 churches, regions or groups have pledged a total of $302,121. They have given to date a total of $191,541. Their generosity is talking! Praise God from whom all blessings flow! We are passionate about this task and excited about God’s work among us through TbyS. We worship a God of transformation and invite you to join us and become one of the donors whose financial support becomes part of the new language of hope and renewal in our American Baptist family as we serve as the hands and feet of Christ.

The ABCUSA Fundraising Team
January 31, 2013

Holmstrom:  Leo, Last year you participated in an initiative at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., what was that all about?

Thorne:  I was invited to be part of a Working Group of religious leaders to be involved in conversations surrounding the Secretary’s Strategic Dialogue with Civil Society.

Holmstrom:  Could you be a little more specific about what this Working Group was assembled to do?

Thorne:  Yes, I will be happy to do so.  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton launched the Dialogue in February 2011 to elevate the U.S. engagement with partners beyond the state and to build a framework for civil society’s involvement in policymaking.   In other words, the State Department desires to initiate continuing dialogue with religious leaders and other members of civil society that informs U.S. foreign policy and foster common partnerships with the NGO community. 

Over the past year, civil society has played a critical role in events around the world, and the Dialogue has provided a model for how governments and civil society can work together to shape policy and advance the common good.  It was made clear to us that the Strategic Dialogue was designed to elevate the importance of the U.S.  Department of State’s work with civil society and underscore the Department’s commitment to protect and defend civil society around the world.  This was an unprecedented step by Secretary of State Clinton of organizing a Religion and Foreign Policy Working group in her Strategic Dialogue with Civil Society.

Holmstrom:  How many groups were formed?

Thorne:  There was one large Working Group of over 100 persons.  Then there was a sub-division into five smaller Sub-Groups.  I self-selected to be a member of the Sub-Group on Religion and Foreign Policy.

Holmstrom:  Was this the only division of the group?

Thorne:  Approximately twenty-five civil society leaders (20 domestic/5 international) were invited to comprise the Core Group of the Working Group on Religion and Foreign Policy. This core group was designed to provide guidance for the four other thematic sub-groups, which were created to address specialized issues.

Holmstrom:  What were the names of the four thematic sub-groups you mentioned?

Thorne:  These groups were identified as Religion in Foreign Policy and National Security; Religious Engagement and Conflict Prevention/Mitigation; International Religious Freedom: Advocacy to Combat Religious-Based Violence and Human Rights Abuse; and Faith-Based Groups and development and Humanitarian Assistance.

Holmstrom:  Was there any involvement from the White House in the Working Group? If so, who was involved?

Thorne:  The Working Group was co-chaired by Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Maria Otero; Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Suzan Johnson Cook; and Joshua DuBois, Special Assistant to the President and Executive Director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. This group was designed so that its members would sit on the Federal Advisory Commission, which will receive and make decisions on the final report of the Working Group. 

I should add that in October of 2011 there was an Opening Plenary at the Department of State when all the groups involved in this undertaking came together to learn of the purpose, timelines, direction and future of its deliberations.

Holmstrom:  Where did you meet over the course of your meetings? Did they take place at the Department of State?

Thorne:  There were a couple meetings in different rooms of the State Department, and group members were invited to host meetings outside Washington.  These so-called “field trips” would allow for Department of State officials to meet in authentic settings and hold conversations with key people in those host areas.  During the year and a half of the meetings of the Working Group, some of the members were invited to attend a Global Town Hall Meeting hosted by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.  This meeting, which I attended, was held at the Benjamin Franklin Room of the Harry S. Truman Building.  Let me quickly add that ABCUSA proudly hosted the Sub-Group on Religious Freedom at our Valley Forge, PA offices in April, 2012.

Holmstrom:  Yes, I remember that meeting at the Mission Center in Valley Forge.  Can you give me some details and explain what was discussed, for those who might not be familiar?

Thorne:  The meeting was held on April 17, and General Secretary Roy Medley welcomed the group to the Mission Center.   Sub-Group Co-Chairs, Dr. Chris Sieple, Working Group Senior Advisor and president of the Institute for Global Engagement and Ambassador Johnson Cook, were among other State Department officials present for the day-long meeting, in addition to persons from ABC.  As hosts, ABC was invited to give a presentation on Burma in which the denomination had established missionary work through the Judsons since 1814.  American Baptists Rev. Saw Ler Htoo, pastor of Calvary Baptist Christian Fellowship in Washington DC, Rev. Florence Li, director of Asian Ministries at American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS), and Rev. Rothang Chhangte, then ABHMS liaison for Burma refugees, addressed the issues for Burmese immigrants in other Southeast Asian countries. They urged the committee to consider the question, “how can we work on this issue, and work together to make changes for the immigrants?”

Attendees heard from and interacted with one another on topics including the challenges faced by refugees in Burma and in the United States, their legal status, lack of education and employment, medical care, forced displacement of minority religious and ethnic groups within Burma, attacks by the military on some churches in the Kachin State, censorship of certain words in the Christian text, and lack of access by non-Buddhists to government jobs, among other topics. 

This Valley Forge meeting represented another important piece of ABC’s strategic involvement with the Department of State and the White House on issues involving Burmese refugees.  The Board of General Ministries and the General Secretary have sent official letters on separate occasions to President Obama and Secretary Clinton soliciting their positive action with regard to the plight of refugees in Burma.

(View the Press Release  from April 2012, written about the meeting at the Mission Center)

Holmstrom:  What do you believe to be one of the greatest challenges that faced the Sub-Group on which you served?

Thorne:  On several occasions, the group mentioned the point that they had served on different task forces, focus groups, community forums, and the like, only to have a report placed on the shelf without any meaningful action and follow-up taken as a result of serious work.  The group was concerned that its work would suffer the same fate.  Another issue was the uncertainty about the results of the 2012 Presidential elections and a possible change in leadership.

Holmstrom:  How did the Department of State address these concerns?

Thorne:  On the latter point, there could be no forecasting of the results of the election.  On the former point, the group was assured that the Department of State was committed to seeking ways to  make as soon as possible any implementable policy changes that were appropriate, even before the final report was submitted. 

Let me add that as the word regarding this innovative strategy of involving civil society in government policy shaping spread, several other countries began conversations with the U.S. Department of State on ways of adopting this creative idea into their own governmental workings.

Holmstrom:  I know that some matters like these involving government policies at such a high level have to be handled with some measure of diplomatic caution.  But can you point to a specific example of what some of the deliberations might accomplish?

Thorne:  Let me just say that the U.S. Department of State began taking a hard look at how its foreign staff was being trained as they readied themselves to work abroad, given the pervasive influence of religion worldwide.  In many places around the world, understanding religion is imperative to understanding the local civil society.  Four out of five people on the planet believe in something greater than themselves. Accounting for and systematically engaging the role of religion and religious communities in societies worldwide not only shows respect for the local population, but it also provides a touchstone of insight across all of society’s spheres and sectors, suggesting the potential for understanding and collaboration.  We could, therefore, point to revision in the curriculum offered to State Department staff officials, making more comprehensive training in religious issues more of an imperative.

Holmstrom:  Can you share something about what were some of the issues addressed in the final report of the Working Group?

Thorne:  Just briefly, let me say that it was a significant opportunity to come together with other religious leaders from across the country, and the world, for that matter, and engage ourselves in  important matters surrounding religion and religious liberty on the global stage.    As American Baptists, we have been on the forefront of working with Religious freedom as one of our core ministries. 

The final report presented to the Federal Advisory Committee involved matters concerned with the need to allow some version of the Religion and Foreign Policy Working Group continue as an advisory committee.  It was interesting for the Sub-Group members to learn that while the White House and 12 executive branch U.S. government departments have offices for faith-based engagement, the Department of State does not.  In addition, the report offered that the Department of State should institutionalize a mechanism that serves religious communities worldwide.

Holmstrom: Is there anything else that you would like to add following this experience service on the Department of State Working Group?

Thorne: Religious freedom has always been and continues to be a central issue for us as American Baptists.  As such, it was a privilege to  serve as an ABC staff person with such a broad community of religious leaders from around the world  on such an important matter.  The experience was a good one.  I must also add that  we continue to be grateful to Ambassador Johnson Cook, one of our own ABC clergypersons, for her work on our behalf.  It is my hope that the U.S. Department of State will continue to prioritize this innovative approach of engaging civil society in its policy formation on religious issues.

Holmstrom: Thank you for meeting with me and answering my questions about this important Working Group project.

The event was dedicated to the Memory of Holocaust Victims, organized by the Tolerance Center and the Jewish Foundation “Lea” in the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia.  The organizers were very grateful for the participation of the American Baptist delegation in the event. 

Registration and additional details may be found at www.americanbaptists2013.com. Individuals may also click here to download the paper registration form. Speakers for the event have been announced, and you can view the press release here: http://www.abc-usa.org/2013/01/16/mission-summitbiennial-speakers-announced/.

The Mission Summit
The event will occur in the form of a Mission Summit, allowing for conversations to take place among American Baptist leaders and lay people from across the United States and Puerto Rico.

These Mission Summit Conversations will be an open opportunity for anyone attending the Mission Summit/Biennial to engage in meaningful dialogue about a topic of interest by self-selecting into a small group. The Mission Summit Conversations are the heart of the Mission Summit; three rounds of Mission Summit Conversations will be held. Following the second round of Mission Summit Conversations, a representatives from the Mission Summit Conversation groups will be invited to report out during an open plenary session.  Learn more about the Mission Summit Conversations by visiting www.americanbaptists2013.com,  and selecting FAQ > Mission Summit Conversations FAQ.

2013 Registration Changes
A new highlight of registration for the 2013 event is church registration. In November, the Mission Summit/Biennial Planning Team, with approval from the Board of General Ministries Executive Committee, announced the new registration policy, with hopes that it will make it easier for individuals to attend Mission Summit 2013. Churches are invited to register for the event, based on average worship attendance for each church. Once a church has registered, an unlimited number of members from that church may register to attend the Mission Summit/Biennial at a reduced rate of $35 per person.

If an attendee’s church has not registered, the full individual registration fee of $150 applies. The list of registered churches is online at www.americanbaptists2013.com, or you may contact MissionSummitRegistration@abc-usa.org at any time to find out if your church has registered. Individuals must wait until after their church has registered in order to pay the reduced individual registration rate of $35.

To read more about the new Mission Summit/Biennial Church registration, view the announcement at:  http://www.abc-usa.org/2012/11/27/new-mission-summitbiennial-2013-registration-changes-announced/

This Mission Summit/Biennial will include celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, the 200th anniversary of the Judsons’ arrival in Burma, and the 375th anniversary of the founding of the First Baptist Church in America. In addition to these celebrations and inspirational times of worship, we will have the mission summit experience, providing networking, discussion and problem-solving opportunities about the future of your church. Finally, this new registration policy will allow unlimited members of your church to attend at a nominal fee. Don’t miss this historic event!

American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with over 5,200 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.

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