The internship is a promising result of a collaboration between Rev. Dr. Benjamin Chan, American Baptist International Ministries (IM) area director for East Asia and India and Dr. David Bronkema, international development director for Eastern University.

The graduate students were identified through a rigorous selection process. Ashley Caycedo is earning a Master of Business Administration degree in International Economic Development. Joshua Ellison is seeking a Master of Arts degree in International Development. Both are second-year students and have completed their course work.

Caycedo is based in Guwahati, Assam and will serve with the Council of Baptist Churches in North East India (CBCNEI). Ellison is based in Hanamkonda, Andhra Pradesh and will serve with the Banjara Development Trust (BDT). Their assignment includes conducting research and assessment of the programs of the two organizations, as well as being involved in the training programs.

“Ashley always wanted to go to India, experience life and help people in the country,” commented Chan. She said, “I am so excited to serve in India. Thank you for this opportunity.”

Ellison believes that this overseas service may be an opening for a long-term relationship with IM and global mission work. He says, “I am open to looking into a long-term mission service. This may be a beginning of the journey.”

IM Development Worker Debbie Mulneix and Mr. Shankar Prasad Kalaunee, Eastern University Ph. D student in Organizational Leadership, have assisted in the launch of this project. For more information, visit Chan’s journal.

American Baptist International Ministries is a Christian mission organization connecting U.S. churches and individuals to holistic ministries around the world. Organized in 1814, IM is the first Baptist mission agency formed in North America. It serves more than 1,800 short- and long-term missionaries annually, bringing U.S. and Puerto Rico churches together with partners in over 70 countries to share the good news of Jesus Christ in word and action.  IM’s partnership with the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists and the Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy is made possible by church and individual contributions to the World Mission Offering.

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.

In the face of high unemployment rates, rising costs of living, economic recession, and the present generation’s general malaise, many parents feel obligated to offer prolonged housing and financial assistance to young adult offspring. But as time passes, how can these boomerang children be transformed into arrows loosed from the parental quiver? Based on the metaphor found in Psalm 127, “Blessed is the parent with a quiver full of children,” Boomerangs to Arrows empowers parents to prepare themselves and their adult children for the time when kids must be launched into independent, grown-up lives.

Elliott, who is the mother of two successfully launched young adult sons, offers sound advice and wisdom to deal with:

• Age-appropriate Discipline
• Extenuating Circumstances (i.e. financial issues, job loss, etc.)
• Negative Character Traits
• Attitudes of Entitlement
• Moving Out

This book is a great resource for parents and caregivers struggling with the challenge of being supportive while rearing self-sufficient and responsible young adults.

About the Author:   Sharon Norris Elliott is author of five other books, including Raising Boys to Be Like Jesus (Judson, 2009). A graduate of Biola University and a sought-after conference speaker, Sharon has a knack for sharing down-to-earth biblical wisdom in ways that tickle the funny bone and touch the heart. Check out her devotional blog (www.sanewriter.wordpress.com) and website at www.lifethatmatters.net.

To order Judson Press resources, visit www.judsonpress.com or call 800-458-3766.

Founded in 1824, Judson Press is the publishing ministry of the American Baptist Home Mission Societies, American Baptist Churches USA. It is committed to producing Christ-centered leadership resources for the transformation of individuals, congregations, communities, and cultures.

American Baptist Home Mission Societies—the domestic mission arm of American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA)—ministers as the caring heart and serving hands of Jesus Christ across the United States and Puerto Rico through a multitude of initiatives that focus on discipleship, community, and justice.

American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with more than 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.

“We cannot view this possibility solely through the eyes of U.S. foreign policy or U.S. national security interests,” McMickle writes. “The Lord of the Church is not an American; Christ is sovereign Lord over all of creation. Christ has as much love for the people of the Middle East as for the people of the American Midwest.”

Thoughtfully addressing both politics and spirituality, McMickle poses six questions for American Baptists to consider as they conduct Bible study and personal devotions. Questions include the following: “What will a limited missile strike accomplish against a regime that has no regard for anything, except remaining in power at all costs?”, “If the United States strikes Syria unilaterally, are we not opening the door for other nations to act unilaterally on matters that we may believe unjustified?” and “When do we, as Christians, actually listen to Jesus as he talks about ‘blessed are the peacemakers’ and ‘living and dying by the sword?’”

ABHMS hopes churches will use Dr. McMickle’s essay at www.abhms.org as a starting point for conversations, framed within Christian values, about the crisis in Syria. At the end of the essay, tell us about your conversations: We’re waiting to hear from you.

American Baptist Home Mission Societies—the domestic mission arm of American Baptist Churches USA—ministers as the caring heart and serving hands of Jesus Christ across the United States and Puerto Rico through a multitude of initiatives that focus on discipleship, community and justice.

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.

This year marks the 200^th anniversary of the Judson’s arrival in Burma, a small Southeast Asian country. The educational DVD, entitled “Embrace the Cause,” includes three videos and is available in the 2013 World Mission Offering promotional materials.

Ethnic Burmese Christians who have legally immigrated to the United States are also featured as they attend worship and get involved in U.S. Baptist congregations. The video highlights Grace Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri as one such church that has welcomed Christian brothers and sisters from Myanmar.

The DVD is available free to churches with the World Mission Offering materials, which were mailed in July. Churches may download the three videos from the World Mission Offering website, www.worldmissionoffering.org, or may receive a DVD that contains all three by mail by calling 1-800-4JUDSON. The Embrace the Cause videos are available in two lengths: 6:00 min. and 9:19 min.  A 1:30 min. promo is also included.

The WMO educational materials for churches featuring Baptist ministries in Myanmar come at an important milestone for IM and the Myanmar Baptist Convention (MBC). In a historic announcement in June 2013, the MBC General Secretary, the Rev. Dr. Yam Kho Pau, extended an invitation for IM to renew its ministry in Myanmar.  This deeply moving event took place IM board of directors meeting. The leader of the MBC read a letter stating that Myanmar Baptists believe God is opening the door for IM to once again join them as co-laborers in Myanmar.

Gifts to the World Mission Offering provide IM’s largest single source of revenue undergirding its total global mission. Churches receive new WMO materials every summer to enrich worship and enhance educational experiences that build church understanding and participation in global mission. WMO enables congregations to be part of the entire work of IM’s mission.

American Baptist International Ministries is a Christian mission organization connecting U.S. churches and individuals to holistic ministries around the world. Organized in 1814, IM is the first Baptist mission agency formed in North America. It serves more than 1,800 short- and long-term missionaries annually, bringing U.S. and Puerto Rico churches together with partners in over 70 countries to share the good news of Jesus Christ in word and action.  IM’s partnership with the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists and the Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy is made possible by church and individual contributions to the World Mission Offering.

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.

Printable PDF

In 2013, Rev. Barbara Jim-George of Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland, California, was recognized at the National Women’s Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, in July 2013, for her work with girls as founder and director of the Girls’ Rite of Passage Program. The Rite of Passage Program seeks to protect teen girls from commercial sexual exploitation through spiritual growth and the building of self-confidence. Rev. Jim-George has built community coalitions and been deeply involved in raising awareness about the issue of human trafficking in the Oakland area. Darlene Pennington was also recognized, posthumously, for her ministries at the First Baptist Church of Norfolk, Nebraska, and in her community. Darlene had served in multiple leadership roles at the church and she and her husband had also served as foster parents and foster parent trainers. Darlene’s family was present at the National Women’s Conference in July as her son accepted the award on her behalf.

“There are American Baptist women who are serving as the hands and feet of Christ in extraordinary ways. Their inspiring stories and experiences can encourage others to be light-bearers for Jesus Christ. I invite you to nominate a woman or women’s ministry group for the Shine the Light Award,” said AB Women’s Ministries Executive Director Virginia Holmstrom.

The deadline for nominations for the 2014 Shine the Light Award is January 31^st, 2014. For more information, criteria, and to submit a nomination, visit the AB Women’s Ministries website at www.abwministries.org, or contact the AB Women’s Ministries office at (610) 768-22288 or info@abwministries.org.

American Baptist Women’s Ministries is a Christ-centered ministry with a commitment to encourage and empower women and girls to serve God. Additional American Baptist Women’s Ministries resources are available at www.abwministries.org.

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.

Printable PDF

“Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. It is a rapidly growing criminal industry second only to drug dealing and equal in scope to arms dealing,” according to the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking’s website. “Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud and/or coercion for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor. Contrary to popular belief under federal and state law, human trafficking does not require movement of people across borders.”

The New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking is seeking volunteer teams and team leaders to engage in outreach to New Jersey area hotels. Teams will contact area hotels, asking them to train their staff to identify trafficking victims and to develop protocols for responding to victims. Each volunteer team leader will recruit at least six volunteers for his or her team, coordinate the team’s hotel outreach, and report results to the command center.

Individuals interested in leading a team must attend a mandatory meeting at 7 p.m. on Sept. 9, 2013, at the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest New Jersey, 901 Route 10, Whippany. To join the leadership team and to register for the meeting, contact Margot Morris, Tri-State Coalition for Responsible Investing, at mmorris@tricri.org or 973-509-8800. Team leaders and their volunteers must attend a training session, also at the Jewish Federation, from either noon to 2 p.m. or 7 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 16. To register for the Sept. 16 volunteer training, call 973-929-3064 or visit www.njhumantrafficking.org or www.jfedgmw.org/ecpat.

In addition, students in grades 8 through 12 are invited to participate in the “Not on Our Turf” Student Summit from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (registration at 8:30 a.m.) on Oct. 15 at Caldwell (N.J.) College, 120 Bloomfield Ave. Sponsored by Project Stay Gold and endorsed by the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking, the summit aims to teach students about modern-day slavery as well as how to host an awareness event and develop a social media campaign. Workshops will include information about fundraising, how to start an awareness club, political action, keeping yourself safe/warning signs, and using art and music.

School and youth groups are encouraged to attend, along with an adult advisor for every four to eight students. Cost is $45 per group to cover materials; scholarships are available. Register by Sept. 30 at www.notonourturf.com. For more information, email projectstaygold@gmail.com or visit www.projectstaygold.org.

Super Bowl XLVIII is planned for Feb. 2 at MetLife Stadium, Meadowlands Sports Complex, East Rutherford, N.J.

Visit www.abhms.org for information about ABHMS’ justice-related ministries.

American Baptist Home Mission Societies—the domestic mission arm of American Baptist Churches USA—ministers as the caring heart and serving hands of Jesus Christ across the United States and Puerto Rico through a multitude of initiatives that focus on discipleship, community and justice.

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.

The donation comes from Christian Community Credit Union’s “Cards that Give to Missions” program. Every time members use their credit and debit cards, a portion of the interchange income (fees merchants pay to card issuers) goes to missions. To date, the Credit Union has given over $3.5 million to missions and ministry projects.

“Through Christian Community Credit Union’s generous gift, we’re able to direct the amount to where it’s most needed in the ministry,” said Reid Trulson, IM Executive Director. “On behalf of IM missionaries and the people across the globe whom missionaries have helped come to Christ, grow in Christ and change their worlds through Christ, we want to express our deep gratitude to the Credit Union.”

The Credit Union also partners with IM to offer the IM Platinum Rewards Visa. For every new IM credit card approved, the Credit Union donates $50 to support IM’s global missions work. In addition, the Credit Union makes additional donations on everyday purchases using the IM card—at no cost to the cardholder.

“Our partnership with IM over the years has given us the opportunity to make a tremendous impact on the lives of others around the world,” said John Walling, Christian Community Credit Union President/CEO. “Besides helping transform people’s lives and their communities, our members are building God’s Kingdom. That’s what makes our credit and debit cards so unique!”

With assets at nearly $570 million, Christian Community Credit Union serves over 29,500 members nationwide and has served as a financial partner to Christian churches, ministries, and their members for over 56 years. For more information, call 800.347.CCCU (2228), or visit myCCCU.com.

American Baptist International Ministries is a Christian mission organization connecting U.S. churches and individuals to holistic ministries around the world. Organized in 1814, IM is the first Baptist mission agency formed in North America. It serves more than 1,800 short- and long-term missionaries annually, bringing U.S. and Puerto Rico churches together with partners in over 70 countries to share the good news of Jesus Christ in word and action.  IM’s partnership with the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists and the Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy is made possible by church and individual contributions to the World Mission Offering.

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.

The virtual mission encounter will include emailed daily activities to help participants delve more deeply into the topic and educate themselves, find inspiration, and generate new ideas for involvement for themselves or their faith communities. It will also include an opportunity to engage with other participants through a private blog set up specifically for this event.

A highlight of each virtual mission encounter is the evening conference call. Every evening of the virtual mission encounter, participants are able to hear from and have conversation with someone with experience and direct engagement in the topic of the day. Scheduled guests for “Garlands instead of Ashes” include Debra Fields, Community Education and Prevention Supervisor at the Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Dr. Nancy Murphy, DMin, LMHC, founder and director of the Northwest Family Life Learning and Counseling Center in Seattle, Washington; Rev. Susan Chorley, director of Renewal House, a domestic violence shelter in the Boston area, and Rev. Dr. Adalia Gutierrez Lee, commissioned American Baptist missionary in Baja, Tijuana, serving victims of domestic violence.

“Persons that have participated in our previous virtual mission encounters have raved about these unique opportunities for participatory learning around issues that matter,” said Virginia Holmstrom, executive director of American Baptist Women’s Ministries. She said the positive feedback  prompted AB Women’s Ministries to offer “Garlands instead of Ashes: Domestic Violence” on September 23-27, 2013. On November 4-8, 2013, AB Women’s Ministries will host “For I Was in Prison and You Visited Me: Prison and Aftercare Ministries’. Two more topics will be addressed in virtual mission encounters planned for 2014.

Registration for the “Garlands instead of Ashes: Domestic Violence” five-day virtual mission encounter is $30 per person; deadline for registration is September 19, 2013. More information and online registration is available at www.abwministries.org, click on “Events.”

American Baptist Women’s Ministries is a Christ-centered ministry with a commitment to encourage and empower women and girls to serve God. Additional American Baptist Women’s Ministries resources are available at www.abwministries.org.

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.

Printable PDF

Rev. Williams, Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Rochester, New York, is also the president of the Rochester/Genesee Ministers Council and tirelessly advocates for his colleagues, according to Executive Minister Rev. Alan G. Newton.  He has participated in Together in Ministry groups for many years and offers to colleagues both hospitality and a model for dealing with the sorrows of life.  Currently he also serves as chaplain to the Fire and Police Departments of Brighton, NY.  Rev. Williams has served churches in Brighton, NY, Chicago, IL, and Waukesha, WI and has been executive minister of the Rochester/Genesee Region, American Baptist Churches USA.  He has served on numerous boards of agencies concerned with social issues, has published articles on spirituality and public policy, and enjoys the community chorus.

Rev. Price has been instrumental in organizing the Evergreen Association and the Evergreen Ministers Council, and has encouraged his colleagues to participate in Together in Ministry groups.  He served eight years in the U.S. Air Force and worked in youth ministry in Ogden, UT before he was ordained.  Rev. Price pastored the Wedgewood Community Church in Seattle, WA for seven years before being called to the First Baptist Church of Salt Lake City, UT three years ago.  He has advised Church World Service on immigration reform and regularly goes to the Utah State House to advocate for the poor.  His executive minister, Rev. Dr. Marcia Patton, says that Rev. Price is known by his infectious laughter and entertaining songs about the “trials” of pastoral ministry.

Nominees for the award, which includes a $100 prize, are made by colleagues in ABC ministry.  The recipient is chosen by the current Ministers Council president. The Ralph Garfield Schell Award is named for the first president of the national Ministers Council, who served in the late 1930’s, while also leading the Baptist Churches in Chicago and serving on various denominational and ecumenical Boards.

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.

“Just as God called this couple and called Adoniram and Ann Judson 200 years ago – so the Holy Spirit is now calling us to step out in faith to be agents of God’s blessing to all the families of the earth by sharing the life-changing good news of Jesus Christ,” commented Reid Trulson, IM executive director.

This year’s WMO resources celebrate the first commissioned American Baptist missionaries, Adoniram and Ann Judson, and the 200^th anniversary of their arrival on the shore of Burma (now called Myanmar) in southeast Asia.  As a result of the faithful work of the Judsons, and so many others since, Myanmar, a predominantly Buddhist country, now includes 1.7 million Christians.

The WMO educational materials based on this Embrace the Cause theme were mailed to churches on July 20. Videos and print materials may be downloaded at www.worldmissionoffering.org. To order additional materials, call 1-800-4JUDSON. The new historical DVD:  Adoniram Judson: The Man and the Mission, was mailed to churches with the WMO materials.  Additional DVDs are available by special order ($19.95 plus s/h) by calling 1-800-4JUDSON and requesting item #i393.

The World Mission Offering is a vital source of support for the full scope of the Lord’s work in global mission through IM. WMO provides the primary resources enabling IM to recruit and train new mission workers (15 new workers in 2013), develop new global ministries and partnerships, oversee and evaluate existing ministries and support current IM mission personnel.  Much of the current work of global mission through IM could not continue nor could new ministries grow without generous contributions to the WMO. Individuals and churches may give to the WMO year-round.

The 2013 WMO resource materials include a full-color missionary map, bulletin inserts, pew envelopes, a Leader’s Guide and, for the first time, the 2013 Mission Study Guide featuring contemporary women in ministry in Myanmar. The WMO video features contemporary Baptist ministries in Myanmar and among people from Myanmar newly in the U.S.  These educational materials can be used in worship services, Sunday school classes, adult and youth groups and Bible studies.

For more information, contact Catherine Nold: catherine.nold@abc-usa.org.

American Baptist International Ministries is a Christian mission organization connecting U.S. churches and individuals to holistic ministries around the world. Organized in 1814, IM is the first Baptist mission agency formed in North America. It serves more than 1,800 short- and long-term missionaries annually, bringing U.S. and Puerto Rico churches together with partners in over 70 countries to share the good news of Jesus Christ in word and action.  IM’s partnership with the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists and the Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy is made possible by church and individual contributions to the World Mission Offering.

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.