by bob allen, Associated Baptist Press “How do we live out the life of Christ as a people in the midst of those who deal with despair, who deal with fear, who ask what future they will have where the gap between rich and poor seems to grow ever wider?”
American Baptists re-elect Medley to two-year term Roy Medley, American Baptist Churches USA general secretary since 2002, has been elected to a two-year term as head of the 1.3-million-member body that met in metropolitan Kansas City in June. He plans to retire when the term ends Dec. 31, 2015. American Baptist News Service reported Medley’s re-election June 19, the second day of a three-day meeting of the ABC/USA Board of General Ministries. A native of Ringgold, Ga., who joined American Baptists as a young adult, Medley served previously as executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of New Jersey, one of 34 regions within the denomination, from 1992 until 2001. He was ordained in 1975 by First Baptist Church of Trenton, N.J., where he served as a seminary intern and then associate pastor (1974-1977). The biennial gathering also marked
NEW FROM
Available as an ebook Download your digital copy for just $9.99 from nurturingfaith.info 42 | Information
the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the first American Baptist missionaries, Ann and Adoniram Judson, to Burma, now known as Myanmar, and the 375th anniversary of the First Baptist Church in America in Providence, R.I. The gathering took on a new format that grouped participants in “Mission Summit Conversations” to explore a wide range of ministry and mission topics. “I want people to Roy Medley come away from these conversations with a sense of encouragement derived from our history, but also with a sense of freedom,” said Medley, “a freedom to try new things.” He also encouraged American Baptists to ask new questions.
“How do we live out the life of Christ as a people in the midst of those who deal with despair, who deal with fear, who ask what future they will have where the gap between rich and poor seems to grow ever wider? Is there a way for us to be a blessing to our community that we have not been before?” BT
For daily news and editors’ blogs, visit baptiststoday.org.
Faith BOOKS Educator and Baptist lay leader Winnie Williams has traveled the world from Albania to China, Peru, India, Haiti and South Africa to discover the daily challenges of women affected by oppressive cultural, economic and social conditions. In these remarkable women she also found life lessons in courage, perseverance and faith.
Visit the online store nurturingfaith.info August 2013