Pastors’ Chat

On the second Tuesday of every month, pastors from across our convention gather to share thoughts and make connections. We frequently consider an article on a topic, such as pastoral concerns, leadership, theology or some current issue, to undergird our conversation. While not everyone reads the article ahead of time, we regularly have thoughtful, encouraging and sometimes challenging conversations. New connections are made, and we frequently resource one another as a result of gathering! Some of the questions we’ve explored include have you ever considered how Ted Lasso’s leadership style might influence your pastoral leadership? How about MLK Jr.’s leadership? And, have you thought of the baby Jesus in light of Elf on the Shelf?

Following is some information about our upcoming Pastors’ chats:  On April 12, leading up to Holy Week, we’ll meet online via Zoom at 10 a.m. as a time of refreshment. Come to simply pause and be refreshed for the long week ahead.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND  On May 10, American Baptist Attorney David Ball will offer a presentation on “Litigation Prevention and Preparedness” — a timely topic given the recent upsurge of cases being filed by victims of child sexual abuse, many of whom allege abuse by church employees or volunteers. Mr. Ball offers six important recommendations for churches to help them prevent liability from arising and to be prepared if litigation comes their way. We invite you to join us at 10 a.m. for an enriching time on the second Tuesday of each month for the Pastors’ Chat. Visit www.dcbaptist.org for more information!

DCBC Notables

DCBC shares the following notable events in the life of its members:

The John Leland Center for Theological Studies Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Thursday, March 17, 2022, to appoint Rev. Dr. Kenneth R. Pruitt as its President. The John Leland Center for Theological Studies, also known as Leland Seminary, is located in Arlington, Virginia, a vibrant and growing part of the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

Pruitt succeeds Provost and Acting President Michael Hines who faithfully stepped up during the presidential search process which launched upon the retirement of former president William H. Smith.

The selection and announcement followed a search process led by the Leland Board of Trustees. The search committee was comprised of representatives from the Board of Trustees, faculty, alumni, and students.

Pruitt is in his third year of service on the Leland Board of Trustees. He is a Leland Board of Trustees officer, member of the Executive Committee, and is an adjunct Leland faculty member who teaches New Testament and Formation of Ministry.

“It is with much joy and anticipation that I accept this appointment as Leland’s new President,” said Pruitt. “After many years as a pastor and teacher, I look forward to advancing Leland’s mission to equip transformational leaders for the global ministry of Jesus Christ. Leland is strategically placed in one of the most important metropolitan areas of our day, and we stand ready as the seminary of choice for those in this region and beyond who hear God’s call as pastors and lay leaders—for full-time, bi-vocational, or volunteerministry and service.”

Pruitt earned his Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) in Preaching and Theology from Baylor University, Truett Seminary, Waco, Texas; his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) with Biblical Languages from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, School of Theology, Fort Worth, Texas; and his Bachelor of Art (B.A.) in Religious Studies from Charleston Southern University, Charleston, South Carolina. He also studied for one year in the School of Religious Education at Southwestern Seminary with a concentration in Marriage and Family Counseling.

Rev. Dr. Kenneth R. Pruitt

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Before being called to serve as Leland’s president, Pruitt was full-time Senior Pastor at King’s Grant Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Prior to that, he had fruitful ministries in other churches in South Carolina, Texas, and North Carolina. In addition to his pastoral duties, as well as his teaching and Board duties at Leland, Pruitt is active in the Baptist General Association of Virginia, his local community, and speaking and leading seminary conferences in India.

“We enthusiastically welcome Ken as the new President. The Board unanimously supported the recommendation of the search committee following earnest prayer and a deliberative process,” said Board of Trustees Chair Donna K. Alexander. “Our confidence in Ken, his spirit of innovation, fresh energy, and clear vision of Leland’s mission, marks an exciting new chapter for Leland. Ken’s pastoral heart reflects our diverse community of students, alumni, partners, and the Church we seek to serve.”

Pruitt will transition to his new role effective March 21, 2022. His official installation service will be announced at a later date.

Pruitt and his wife Terry have three daughters: Nichole (24), Bethany (21) and Sarah Joy (9).

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James Barbour

North American Baptist Fellowship (NABF) General Secretary, Jeremy Bell, announced the appointment of James Barbour to the role of Disaster Relief Coordinator, North America with the NABF. Barbour is an experienced leader in the world of disaster relief. He brings more than 12 years of directly related technical experience and leadership in disaster recovery activities in his home church with the Fort Foote Baptist Church Missions program and is the current Disaster Relief Coordinator with the District of Columbia Baptist Convention. His role will complement the extensive experience of Dean Miller, Mission Development Staff Coordinator with the Baptist General Association of Virginia, who continues to liaise between the NABF and the Baptist World Alliances’ work in international disaster relief efforts with their Forum for Aid and Development. Barbour is a deacon, a grandpa, and a retired US Naval Officer and security engineer, having worked in various roles with NASA, FAA, and the IRS.

Congratulations to Rev. Dr. Orlando Jermaine Bego, who in February, received from President Joseph R. Biden, 46th president of the United States, and Vice President Karmala Harris the title of 2022 Presidential Award Honoree. Rev. Dr. Bego also received the Joseph R. Biden Lifetime Achievement Award along with The Presidential Volunteer Service Award medals.

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Congratulations to the following churches and individuals celebrating anniversaries and installations:

 Luther Rice Baptist Church which installed Pastor Aleisha A. Langhorne on March 12.  Purity Baptist Church which celebrated its 75th anniversary on February 27. “It was

February 27, 1947, that the Purity Baptist Church became a reality. Here we are on

February 27, 2022 celebrating our 75th year as a body of baptized believers in Christ. As a congregation we voted at inception to celebrate our Anniversary each Sunday in the month of March as to not in any way infringe on the recognition of Black History Month which is in February.” Pastor Robin Toogood also revealed the church’s new logo.  DCBC’s Accounting and Administrative Specialist, Fam Sae Chock, who celebrated her fifth anniversary with DCBC, where she began her career on February 13, 2017.  Dr. Darryl Roberts, who celebrated his fifth anniversary as Pastor of 19th St. Baptist

Church on February 13, 2022  Calvary Burmese Church, which celebrated its 25th anniversary on February 6, 2022. It also installed two Associate Pastors — Rev. Awi K. Tunngo and Pastor Peter M.C. Win — on March 27.

Rev. Saw Ler Htoo, Calvary Burmese Church Pastor Naw Hla Kyi, founding member of Calvary Burmese Church

Heard Around the Convention

The Capital Baptist just gets better and better. Very lively and vital!

DCBC Foundation Scholarships & Grants

Fall 2022 Scholarships deadline is May 1 CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Grants deadline is July 15 CLICK HERE TO APPLY

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Join us this summer, Wednesday, June 15 through Saturday, June 18, at the historic American Baptist Green Lake Conference Center, in Green Lake, Wisconsin for a unique conference.

From the pioneering women of long ago to the trailblazing leaders of today and all women who have responded to the call of God along the way, the movement of women into ministry has involved the whole family of faith from all across American Baptist Churches USA. With women serving in a multitude of ways and a variety of roles throughout the United States and around the world, American Baptist Women in Ministry (ABWIM) is hosting a unique conference: Radical.

Redeemed. Ready.

The conference will feature inspiring speakers, creative worship, engaging workshops, and multiple ways to connect while experiencing innovative approaches to ministry.

Celebrating Ministering Women – We are celebrating women ministerial leaders, their myriad journeys into ministry and their many ways of ministering. We are also celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Women in Ministry Project, now known as American Baptist Women in Ministry (ABWIM), which fully launched in June 1982 with Rev. Dr. Margaret A. Cowden as the first Project Director, following the historic 1980 gathering in Green Lake.

Radical – ABCUSA has carried out a radical witness, and a radical witness is still needed.

Redeemed – Churches flourish and our world is transformed when all God’s gifts in all God’s people are fully accessed, embraced, and utilized. We are all then redeemed.

READY! We are READY. Are you?

Learn more about our:

• Conference Leaders • Awakenings (workshops) • Full Schedule

Register Now

All Are Welcome! And we do mean all…all ministerial roles, experiences, and contexts; all ages, cultures, and genders; American Baptists and any and all friends in faith. This conference is hosted by American Baptist Women in Ministry (ABWIM), a ministry of the ABCUSA Office of General Secretary.