KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (ABNS 9/17/26)—American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) Office of the General Secretary is grateful to announce four anointed and gifted preachers who will distinctly and collectively proclaim the Good News during the 2027 Biennial Mission Summit, taking place June 10–13, 2027, in Rochester, New York. Gathering under the theme "Courageous Unity: Rooted in Freedom, Growing in Faith, Forward in Hope," American Baptists from across the United States and Puerto Rico will come together for a weekend of worship, fellowship, learning, celebration, and connection.
Each preacher carries a distinctive voice and perspective representing the breadth of experiences, testimonies and commitment to our shared and sacred mission to be the hands and feet of Christ. They will offer prophetic and inspiring messages throughout the 2027 Biennial Mission Summit weekend that will invite us into deeper fellowship and to consider what it means to live faithfully, courageously, and together as the Body of Christ.
"Our 2027 Biennial Mission Summit preachers bring with them a deep and unyielding love for Christ and a heartfelt commitment to sharing the Gospel," said the Rev. Dr. Gina C. Jacobs-Strain, General Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA. "Individually and collectively, they bring a rich tapestry of gifts, pastoral wisdom, and academic experience. They reflect the breadth and depth of our American Baptist family, and we are grateful and excited to witness how God will work through each of them as they proclaim the Good News. We invite the entire American Baptist family to join us in praying for these faithful servants and for all that God will do through their ministry at the 2027 Biennial Mission Summit and beyond.”
“We are also delighted to invite our American Baptist family to come together as we prepare for the 2027 Biennial Mission Summit for a virtual time of prayer on January 25, 2027, at 3:00 p.m. ET. Together, we will seek God’s guidance, grace, and blessings for the year ahead,” said Dr. Jacobs-Strain. More information will be made available on our website at www.abc-usa.org/biennial.
Friday Afternoon: The Rev. Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson
Senior Pastor of Allen Temple Baptist Church, Oakland, CA
Friday, June 11, 2027
The Rev. Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson serves as Senior Pastor of Allen Temple Baptist Church in her native Oakland, California. Her 2019 election made history as the first woman called to serve as Senior Pastor of this historic African American Baptist church, founded in 1919. She previously served as Assistant Pastor at Allen Temple and as Youth Minister at Shiloh Baptist Church of Washington, D.C. — the first woman to serve in both roles. She holds a bachelor's degree in political economics from the University of California, Berkeley; a master's in divinity from Howard University School of Divinity; and a doctorate in ministry in African American church leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary. A gifted preacher, administrator, and published author, she ministers nationally and internationally and serves on the teaching staff of the Berkeley School of Theology.
Saturday Evening: The Rev. Dr. Steve Van Ostran
Executive Minister, American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountains
Saturday, June 12, 2027
The Rev. Dr. Steve Van Ostran has served as Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountains since March 2008. His passion for regional work grew out of his 18 years as a local church pastor, and he hopes to reclaim the "incarnational" nature of the local church, which the Apostle Paul demonstrated by calling the church "The Body of Christ" (1 Cor. 12:27). Van Ostran helps local churches reconnect with their communities and discover new avenues of ministry, and he passionately connects churches and pastors with cross-cultural missions and missionaries worldwide. He received his doctorate in ministry from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, his master's in divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and his bachelor's degree from Missouri Southern State College.
Sunday Morning: The Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Conde-Frazier
Theologian and Theological Educator
Sunday, June 13, 2027
The Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Conde-Frazier is a Newyorican theologian whose four-decade career integrates pastoral ministry, theological education, and advocacy for educational equity within the Latine community. An ordained American Baptist pastor, she served over ten years in pastoral ministry before expanding her vocation into theological education. She is the founder of the Orlando E. Costas Hispanic and Latin American Ministries Program at Andover Newton Theological Seminary (formerly Andover Newton Theological School) and has held faculty and academic leadership roles at Claremont School of Theology and Esperanza College of Eastern University. Most recently she directed the Association for Hispanic Theological Education (AETH). Though formally retired, she continues to mentor pastor-leaders and teaches at Western Theological Seminary. She holds a doctorate from Boston College and a master's in divinity from Eastern Baptist.
Sunday Evening: The Rev. Dr. Douglas Scalise
Lead Pastor, Brewster Baptist Church, Brewster, MA
Sunday, June 13, 2027
The Rev. Dr. Douglas Scalise has served as Lead Pastor of Brewster Baptist Church since 1995. He holds a bachelor's degree from Colby College, a master's in divinity from Boston University School of Theology, where he received a Distinguished Alumni Award, and a doctorate in ministry in preaching from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is a member of the ABCUSA Board of General Ministries and its Finance Committee, a Co-Convener of the ABC Pastors Colloquium, and a board member of The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Baptist Charitable Society. Under his leadership, Brewster Baptist Church has become a leading mission-supporting congregation in the ABCUSA, partnering with ABCUSA Global Servants and ministries around the world. He has taught and preached widely on church transformation, leadership, and discipleship.
A Weekend of Courageous Unity
The 2027 Biennial Mission Summit will invite American Baptists to gather around a shared vision of Courageous Unity — rooted in the freedom we have through Christ, growing together in faith, and moving forward with hope. Throughout the weekend, participants will have opportunities to worship together, hear from ministry leaders, connect with American Baptists from across the country, engage in conversations about the mission and ministry of the denomination, and celebrate the ways God is working through American Baptist churches and ministries.
The 2027 Biennial Mission Summit will be held June 10–13, 2027, in Rochester, New York.
Additional information about the schedule, registration, worship, workshops, speakers, and other Mission Summit opportunities will be announced as details become available.
For more information about the 2027 Biennial Mission Summit, visit www.abc-usa.org/biennial.