Since accepting the call to serve as the General Secretary of the American Baptist Churches USA in June 2017, Rev. Dr. Lee B. Spitzer has cast a vision calling for the American Baptist family to unify around the historic Baptist movement’s core convictions and mission, and to enter into a new era of church growth, evangelism, prophetic witness and creative service in cooperation with our national and regional partners. He thoroughly enjoys the ethnic and racial diversity of our American Baptist family, which includes approximately 5,000 churches and 1.3 million members.
Judson Press has published two books by Dr. Spitzer. Making Friends, Making Disciples (2010) explores how relationships impact our lives and the discipleship and evangelism ministries of churches. His newest book, Baptists, Jews and the Holocaust: the Hand of Sincere Friendship (2017), reveals how Baptists in the United States responded to Nazism, anti-Semitism and the Holocaust.
Dr. Spitzer has written other scholarly articles and books, including Endless Possibilities: Exploring the Journeys of Your Life (1997) and the companion Endless Possibilities Course Book (2001). In A Summer’s Journey (2001), he chronicled his unique pilgrimage to Israel during a summer of terrorism and turmoil. He authored three articles on children’s spirituality for the Encyclopedia of Religious and Spiritual Development (2006), and a chapter on “Friendship” in Learning to Lead (2012), edited by Dr. Willard Ashley. In 2017, LERBAN (the publishing ministry of the Convenção Batista Nacional, Brazil), published a Portuguese language adaptation of Endless Possibilities, entitled, Possibilidades Sem Fim.
Dr. Spitzer has been married for forty-one years and has two children, Joshua and Larisa, and one grandson, Restyn Joshua Skinner. His wife, Lois, is an associate professor at Stockton University. Both Lee and Lois were born into Jewish homes and converted to Christianity as teenagers in the early 1970s. They enjoy sharing with Christians about the Jewish foundations of Christianity.
Posted Articles
ABHMS Issues Appeal for OGHS Donations Following Tornadoes, Flooding in Central US
VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 4/29/24)—American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) issues a call for prayers and financial donations for those across the Central United States, from Texas to Wisconsin, who were ravaged by recent weather. Since Friday, April 26, tornadoes, flash floods and severe winds have resulted in lives lost, devastated property and widespread power […]
The Christian Citizen, Its Editor Are Honored at RCC Annual Awards Banquet
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (ABNS 4/23/24)—For work completed in 2023, American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) publication The Christian Citizen and its editor, Curtis Ramsey-Lucas, received seven DeRose-Hinkhouse Memorial Awards from the Religion Communicators Council (RCC) at an April 4 banquet during the RCC’s annual conference. In the category Writing for Periodicals: Magazine Article or […]
Registration Deadline Extended for 2024 PBA Missiological Conversation on Authoritarianism at the Intersection of Faith and Politics
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (ABNS 4/23/24)—The deadline to register for the 2024 Missiological Conversation on May 2 has been extended. Individuals wanting to convene in person now have until Friday, April 26, to sign up. The cutoff for virtual attendees remains the morning of May 2. Themed “Christian Belief + White Supremacy + Authoritarian Governance […]
2024 PBA Missiological Conversation: Addressing a Surge in Authoritarianism at the Intersection of Faith and Politics
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (ABNS 4/18/24)—The Philadelphia Baptist Association (PBA), in partnership with American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS), is proud to announce the 2024 PBA Missiological Conversation on May 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. EDT. Themed “Christian Belief + White Supremacy + Authoritarian Governance = Fascism,” this hybrid event, with on-site and […]
ABHMS Urges Immediate Student Action on Scholarship Applications, Encourages Thoughtful Reflection on Careers
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (ABNS 4/5/24)— With its scholarship application deadline approaching, American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) urges all eligible undergraduate, graduate and seminary students to take advantage of this valuable opportunity for financial assistance. The application window for 2024-2025 scholarship cycle closes April 15 at 5 p.m. EDT. To be considered for an […]
2024 Lenten Devotional from the American Baptist Churches of the Central Region
This year, the region staff with the American Baptist Churches of the Central Region compiled a Lenten devotional guide featuring insightful reflections penned by regional pastors and lay people. The guide features an introductory devotion, and devotions for Ash Wednesday, the 5 Sundays of Lent, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter. Click here […]
Facing Jerusalem Podcast Series – A Lenten Series from ABC of Nebraska
Facing Jerusalem Podcast Series Join Pastors from the American Baptist Churches of Nebraska as they offer Biblical reflections from the Gospel of Luke during Lent 2024. Pastors who chose to participate in this special “Facing Jerusalem” Lent series are all preaching from the same passage each week. Some of them are also sharing in a […]
Love. – A Lenten Reflection Written by Rev. Dr. Cheryl F. Dudley
Love. Beloved, “9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9) God left the question that Cain spit out unanswered. Afterall, he had been caught – red-handed. When we do harm to another, sometimes we are caught red-handed. Other times, that which […]
ABCOPAD Calls New Executive Pastor
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (ABNS 2/21/24)—The American Baptist Churches of PA and DE (ABCOPAD) Board of Directors met Tuesday, February 13, 2024, to unanimously affirm the Rev. Mark Mahserjian-Smith as the next Executive Minister for the region, effective immediately. Search team Chairperson and ABCOPAD Board President, Bryon Luke, said the search team, after a 10-month […]
A Generosity Project Reflection – Gathering Up the Fragments
The Generosity Project is a collaborative effort between ABCUSA, regions, and local congregations. The Generosity Project aims to help pastors re-frame the conversation around stewardship and generosity in their congregations. Bi-monthly blogs help support new growth and understanding as we deepen our ministry and discipleship. The reflection below was provided by Rev. Stacy Emerson. In the […]