VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 8/24/15)—Nominations are being accepted now for the 2016 Shine the Light Award. The Shine the Light Award, established by American Baptist Women’s Ministries, serves to recognize a woman or a women’s ministry group that serves as outstanding light-bearers for Christ. The award highlights a specific ministry project or projects that best demonstrate how the individual or group receiving the award have spread the light of Christ through their congregation, their community, or the world.
Cindy Kissane of the First Baptist Church of Syracuse, Jamesville, New York, was named as the 2015 recipient of the Shine the Light Award for her outstanding ministry in leading and coordinating two mission ministries at the First Baptist Church of Syracuse for the last five years. One ministry serves meals at the Syracuse-based Samaritan Center soup kitchen twice a year; the other is a collaborative project that Kissane developed with the Jamesville-Dewitt Ecumenical Food Pantry to distribute literacy materials for infants through 18-year-olds to client families with children. Near the end of the summer, Kissane spearheads a collection of school supplies and backpacks for distribution through the food pantry as well.
“There are untold stories of American Baptist women like Cindy Kissane. Such stories can inspire others to envision new ministries that reflect Christ’s love and grace. The Shine the Light Award is our way of shining the light on those women who are shining the light of Christ in outstanding ways. Let the nominations begin!” said Virginia Holmstrom, ABWM executive director.
The deadline for nominations for the 2016 Shine the Light Award is January 31st, 2016. For more information, criteria, and to submit a nomination, visit the AB Women’s Ministries website at http://www.abwministries.org/, or contact the AB Women’s Ministries office at (610) 768-22288 or info@abwministries.org.
American Baptist Churches USA 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.