BPFNA Members and Friends Receive ABHMS Ministry Awards

from the American Baptist Home Mission Societies

VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 4/21/15) — Selected by American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) board of directors from nominations submitted by clergy and laypersons across the United States and Puerto Rico, a number of American Baptist clergy and lay leaders will receive awards for significant faith-based work...

“American Baptist Home Mission Societies is so proud to announce these ministry awards, which are testimony to the incarnation of God’s love and presence among us through these faithful and committed American Baptist disciples and servants,” says ABHMS Executive Director Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III. “Together, we American Baptists continue to touch communities and individuals... with the peace and power of Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God.”

  • Rep. Barbara Lee of California’s 13th Congressional District will receive the Edwin T. Dahlberg Peace and Justice Award for her outstanding work for peace and justice. Lee has provided courageous national leadership in the U.S. Congress as well as compassionate Christian witness with and for individuals marginalized in the nation and around the world. She has been outspoken regarding a host of issues, including preventing gun violence, protecting jobs, improving the economy, reforming the criminal justice system, protecting the environment, investing in renewable energy and providing ample funding to public schools. In addition, she supports access to affordable, quality health care; comprehensive immigration reform that preserves families; equality for same-sex families; and global cooperation toward peace.

  • The Rev. Dr. Marcia Patton, first executive minister of Evergreen Association of American Baptist Churches, will receive the Kenneth L. Cober Regional Discipleship Award for faithful, effective leadership in discipleship education in an American Baptist region. Associate executive minister of American Baptist Churches of the Northwest for 13 years, Patton was instrumental in Evergreen’s formation, helping it to build relationships among its ethnically diverse churches and the ABCUSA family. She is a trustee of American Baptist Seminary of the West, Berkeley, Calif., and serves on the board of directors of American Baptist Homes of the West, Pleasanton, Calif. She was associate pastor of churches in Hatboro, Pa.; Salt Lake City; and Somerville, N.J.

  • Chin Baptist Churches USA and Karen Baptist Churches USA will receive the Suzan Johnson Cook Religious Freedom Award for leadership in defending God-given religious liberty for all. Both entities unceasingly support and aid the Chin and Karen peoples—both of which have been oppressed in their homeland. Both organizations remain steadfastly committed both to undergirding and uplifting not only those who travel to the United States seeking refuge but also those who continue to struggle under human rights violations and religious persecution overseas. In addition, both organizations actively participate in the Burma Refugees Task Force, a cooperative effort of ABHMS and other ABCUSA entities that provides diaspora communities in the United States with information, resources, training, conferences and grants. This award is named in recognition of the ministry and leadership of Cook, first female pastor of American Baptist Churches USA and first woman president of Hampton University Ministers’ Conference. Cook served as ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom under President Barack Obama.

  • The Rev. Dr. Marvin A. McMickle, president of Colgate Rochester (N.Y.) Crozer Divinity School, will receive the Judson Press Ministry Award for his commitment to excellence in publishing ministry. Over the years, McMickle has energetically supported Judson Press via his many publications and public appearances. His prolific writing—including substantive resources on preaching, ministry and African-American history—advances the Baptist heritage and faith perspective, while providing voice to Christian audiences. One of the most respected preachers in the nation, McMickle served as pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, Cleveland, Ohio, for nearly 25 years. His teaching resume includes Ashland (Ohio) Theological Seminary and Princeton (N.J.) University.

Click here for the full press release and list of recipients.

BPFNAAmerican Baptist Churches, Awards, Partners, Members, Peacemakers