VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 10/16/14)—ABCUSA is pleased to announce that Rev. Alan Newton, executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of the Rochester-Genesee Region, will be offering leadership to ABCUSA’s initiative on Baptist Muslim Dialogue.
Rev. Newton has been involved for several years in interfaith efforts in the Rochester area, especially in building relationships among the three Abrahamic religions. He will be using this considerable experience in building and sustaining local relationships for the common good to assist American Baptist congregations who wish to begin such relationships within their own communities. Rev. Newton will be working with the ABCUSA Committee on Christian Unity and Interfaith Relations in expanding Baptist-Muslim dialogue at the local level.
“Dialogue with our new Muslim neighbors builds understanding, dispelling myths and distortions perpetrated by internet hoaxes and legends,” says Newton. “Forty years of dialogue with Muslims has helped me to dispel misunderstandings Muslims have of the Christian faith. Face-to-face sustained conversation has helped me recognize that while there are differences, there are also many shared foundational values and beliefs.”
“This local emphasis will build on our national dialogues, and will expand our peace-making efforts in local areas,” said Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley, general secretary of American Baptist Churches USA. “Our Baptist commitment to religious liberty and the Baptist World Alliance’s outline of ‘common ground’ for dialogue between Christians and Muslims, give us a wonderful foundation in our efforts to reach out to our Muslim neighbors in love and respect. We are blessed to have Alan’s experience and leadership in this area made available to the whole ABC family through this collaboration with the Rochester-Genesee region.”
Congregations that are interested may contact him by email at newtonbaptmus@gmail.com or by phone at (585) 340-9521.
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.