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American Baptist News Service_____________________
Office of Communication / American Baptist Churches USA
P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851
Phone: (610)768-2077 / Fax: (610)768-2320 
E-mail: RICH_SCHRAMM.PARTI@ECUNET.ORG
Richard W. Schramm, Director

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________

UPDATE: JUNE 28, 1996
_____________________________________________________________________
________

NEWS FEATURES
GENERAL BOARD SPEAKS OUT ON CHURCH BURNINGS, LIBERIA AND GAMBLING
     The American Baptist Churches USA General Board, meeting in
Green Lake, Wis., in semiannual sessions June 20-23, issued
declarations on the rash of arson attacks against African American
church buildings in the U.S. South and on the crisis situation in
Liberia, and passed a resolution addressing gambling.
     The Board also considered applications for the annotated
bibliography issued earlier this year by the denomination s
Commission on Human Sexuality Resources, heard a progress report from
the Commission on Denominational Unity, and learned of changes
affecting the medical/dental plan of the Ministers and Missionaries
Benefit Board, among other actions.
Declarations on Issues of Importance
     The Board voted in three Declarations on Issues of Importance
involving current concerns.
     "Hate Crimes and the Burning of African American Churches,"
passed with a vote of 160 yes, 0 no, and 1 abstention, addressed the
epidemic of arson attacks that have damaged dozens of African
American churches over the past year and a half.  "We need to send a
clear and cogent message to emissaries of hate and fanatical
prejudice," the declaration stated, adding "senseless acts of
cowardice can never diminish our faith, dampen our impassioned
spirits, or destroy our souls."
     The Board called on all American Baptist churches to "be
prayerful and in solidarity with those struggling to deal with and
resist the violence by asking God for the faith to forgive and the
patience to endure future days of turmoil."  The statement also asks
American Baptists to "petition the United States Department of
Justice to conduct a thorough and detailed investigation into the
church bombings and to take seriously the widespread affect of all
hate crimes against people of color and their houses of worship." 
Also, the Board s declaration solicits support from American Baptist
congregations and organizations for the rebuilding of the churches,
and calls for "cross-culture and ethnic demonstrations of solidarity,
peace-making and reconciliation."
     An offering taken during the Board s Sunday worship brought in
$2,936 to aid in relief efforts in the wake of the fires.
     Another declaration by the Board, passed unanimously, addressed
the critical social situation in Liberia, where six years of civil
strife have claimed tens of thousands of lives.  A ceasefire, set to
take effect last January, was not observed and violence has escalated
to the point that relief agencies are now unable to operate in the
country.  The declaration asks American Baptists to pray that
"hostilities will cease immediately, security will be guaranteed, it
will be possible to disperse relief aid, and a comprehensive peace
process will be re-implemented."  The Board also commended the
American Baptist World Relief Committee for allocating funds that
will be used when relief ministries can resume in Liberia. 
     The Board, in addition, offered a declaration celebrating the
50th anniversary of the founding of Church World Service, the relief
and development ministry of the National Council of Churches of
Christ in the USA.  American Baptist Churches has worked with CWS to
support refugee resettlement, disaster relief and other ministries
aiding those in need worldwide.  "We affirm our deep commitment to
working in partnership with other denominations...around the world
through Church World Service," the Board noted.
Resolution on Gambling
     An "American Baptist Resolution on Gambling," passed with a
vote of 147 yes, 7 no and 11 
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abstentions, condemned gambling as "an intrusion into people s life
and communities, many of which are already burdened by economic and
social disintegration."  It notes that "revenue raised by the
gambling industry has not been the solution to the economic and
social problems the industry claims to provide," and that "gambling s
glorification of mere chance denies divine order in nature and
disregards the insistence of the church of every age that possessions
are entrusted to us and we are accountable for their use."
     The resolution in part calls on American Baptists to "pray for
God s healing intervention in the lives of persons and communities
who are being hurt by gambling"; encourage "more appropriate ways to
generate revenue for the renewal and the rebuilding of the
educational, social and economic fabric of all communities";
"initiate and support ministries to persons addicted to gambling
[and] their families..."; and "counter government promotion of
gambling...."
Other Actions
     o  In a report from Acting Executive Director Sumner Grant of
the Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board, General Board members
learned of significant changes affecting M&M s medical/dental plan. 
(See press release following General Board and program board reports
for details.)
     o  The Board voted (112 yes, 45 no, 10 abstentions) to affirm a
new American Baptist Churches Standing Rule (5.3) which responds to a
mandate of Article V of the denomination s bylaws to establish "a
procedure for the appeal to the General Board of a Regional Board s
decision with respect to the acceptance or dismissal of any church as
a Cooperating Church."
     o  A discussion of possible applications for the Annotated
Bibliography issued in January by the denomination s Commission on
Human Sexuality Resources was led by Drs. Jan and Myron Chartier,
ministers of Christian Education and Family Life for the American
Baptist Churches of Michigan.
     o  The Rev. Dale Salico of Lockport, N.Y., a member of the
Commission on Denominational Unity, reported on the initial gathering
of that body and plans for its future meetings.  The Commission,
created by the Board last year, is being chaired by Dr. Robert C.
Campbell, former general secretary of American Baptist Churches.  
     o  The Board previewed a new World Mission Support videotape
and study guide, Encouraging the Tithe: Another Look.
Addresses
     o  In his report to the General Board, American Baptist
Churches General Secretary Daniel E. Weiss identified three major
areas "to which I am prepared to give my energy and effort":
reconciliation, renewal and restructuring.  
     Referring to ministries undertaken in response to the arson
attacks on African American churches in the 
South, Weiss noted: "I am expecting a generous outpouring of support
from American Baptists."  He challenged American Baptists, "soon to
be a non-majority denomination racially and ethically, [to] be a
model and a witness to the larger society."  "We must go beyond the
symptoms of racism and attack it at its roots," Weiss said.  
Reconciliation, he added, "can only come if reconciliation is
desired."
     In lifting up renewal, Weiss specified three dimensions: the
revitalization of worship, "sadly neglected and often perfunctorily
entered into";  the recapturing of "an evangelistic spirit and
outreach"; and a determination "to be a biblically rooted people"
while acknowledging that "there are a variety of hermeneutical or
interpretative methods at work within our fellowship."
     Regarding restructuring, Weiss alluded to the conclusions of a
1925 study of denominational structure funded by John D. Rockefeller
that called for an "integrated type of administration" for the then
Northern Baptist Convention.  That study--which proposed a design
incorporating greater overall coordination, a single promotional
agency, and decreased "overlapping" and reduced "competition for
financial support," among other changes--was not well received at
that time.  Despite that study's recommendation and attempts at
greater unification such as the work of the Study Commission on
Denominational Structure (1972), "Essentially our present
structure...precludes the capacity for denomination-wide strategic
planning," Weiss said. "In my opinion," he added, "we need a much
more 'integrated' structure."
     o  American Baptist Churches President G. Elaine Smith, in a
report drawing upon Paul's letter to the church at Galatia, called
for American Baptists to "sow seeds of the Spirit, not become weary
in well doing, and 
do all we can."  We need to "be engaged in behavior that is
repentant, redemptive, reconciling," she said.
     President Smith and Vice President Randy Gauger presided at the
Board meetings.  #
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o  In semiannual meetings at Green Lake, the American Baptist
Churches' World Relief Committee considered proposals presented by
American Baptist International Ministries and National Ministries, as
well as those by the Baptist World Alliance's BWAid.  The Committee
establishes policy for distribution of funds from the One Great Hour
of Sharing Offering.  The Committee voted $20,000 to the Greater
Detroit Baptist Development Coalition, Detroit, Mich., to help
implement key economic and community development efforts.  These
efforts include housing rehabilitation and addressing the needs of
residents in regards to zoning, community facilities and services. 
The Coalition was formed when eleven churches banded together as a
cooperative body of suburban and city churches working to support low
to moderate income housing ministries in the Detroit area.  Other
major grants for domestic and international work included: $60,000
over two years to aid the D.C. Baptist Convention in community
development projects for the most economically depressed areas of
Washington, D.C.; $25,000 to the St. John Community Development
Corporation for a revitalizing project designed to improve the
quality of life of neighborhood residents by sponsoring and
implementing housing rehabilitation; $6,000 to help acquire a retreat
center in Santiago, Chile; $47,222 over two years to the Baptist
Christian Hospital in Nellore, India, for construction of an
intensive care unit; $27,778 each to the Liberia Baptist Missionary
and Education Convention and to the All Africa Baptist Fellowship for
refugee assistance and emergency relief.

o  "China Plate," a resource packet documenting American Baptist work
with Christian partners in China and Hong Kong, was introduced during
semiannual meetings of the American Baptist Board of International
Ministries.  The packet includes adult curriculum; information on
ministries for children and youth; opportunities for churches,
families and individuals to help the mission work undertaken in China
and Hong Kong; missionary profiles; and other pieces.  A video on
American Baptist work with partners in China and Hong Kong, which
will supplement the packet, was previewed at the meeting.  American
Baptist International Ministries works in China in conjunction with
China Christian Council and the Amity Foundation. The latter has
overseen many major development projects, and has enabled the
distribution of millions of publications of Scripture over the past
decade through its Amity Press.  American Baptist missionaries for
many years have worked with partners in Hong Kong, which in mid-1997
reverts back to Chinese governance after a 100-year lease with Great
Britain expires.  Today American Baptists are actively pursuing a
variety of ministries there in cooperation with Swatow Baptists. 
More information on the packet is available from International
Ministries at 1-800-ABC-3USA.

o  The American Baptist National Ministries Task Force on Violence
gave an update on its work at semi-annual meetings held at Green
Lake.  Its purpose is to find methods of Christian response to the
growing incidents of violence across the country.  George Cummings,
chair of the task force, reported on the process the group has
followed in the on-going development of a policy statement on
violence.  The policy statement will be released for board
consideration in conjunction with the 1997-98 Mission Study theme,
"Living as Christians in a Violent Society."  The task force has
worked diligently, Cummings reported, in gathering information and
perspectives on the issues surrounding and related to violence,
consulting American Baptists and those engaged in ministries to
overcome violence.  For example, the task force was able to visit the
Peace Institute of the Lakeshore Baptist Church in Oakland, Calif.,
where an intensive anti-violence curriculum, which initially was
aided with National Ministries funds, is taught to children.  Staff
were able to discuss with members of the task force the challenges of
teaching anti-violence in a violent society, where many of the
children go home to turbulent neighborhoods and family situations. 
In addition to preparing materials for a policy base, the task force
is compiling a bibliography of existing resources for local church
use.  "National Ministries has begun this work on behalf of all
American Baptists," noted the Rev. Thelma C. Mitchell, associate
executive director for Biblical Justice and Issue Development.  "This
rising tide of violence affects every city and every community in our
nation."

o  In a report to the American Baptist Board of National Ministries,
the Rev. Cheryl F. Dudley, NM's associate executive director for Home
Mission Development and national coordinator of the 1996 America for
Christ Walk-A-Thon, noted an increase of 10 percent as of April 30 in
America for Christ Offering contributions over receipts at the same
time last year.  Dudley said that the increase may be traced in part
to the enthusiastic participation by many congregations in America
for Christ Walk-a-thons.  Requests for walk-a-thon materials were
received from churches in all 34 American Baptist regions.  To date,
walk-a-thon reports have 
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been received from 20 regions.  According to Dudley, one walker spoke
for the spirit of many when she said, "As I walked, I visualized each
step for Jesus and for mission."  In addition to walk-a-thons, local
churches reported other America for Christ events such as a ski-a-
thon, bowl-a-thon, roll-a-thon, skate-a-thon, canal walk and mall
walks.  An announcement will be forthcoming of those churches and
individuals who raised the most mission dollars in their churches and
regions through special America for Christ fund-raising events.

o  In a panel discussion held during a Board of Educational
Ministries plenary at Green Lake, three ministries administratively-
related to Educational Ministries gave brief descriptions of their
current emphases and projects.
Carol Franklin Sutton, executive director of American Baptist Women s
Ministries, reported on the status of two programs which were
designed to help ABW in its mission to give women and girls
opportunities to serve God, their churches, and the world.  The WINGS
(Women In New Growth Situations) program currently has two interns. 
These interns are compiling a bibliography of women s concerns which
is projected to be available sometime later this year.  In addition,
Sutton described the development of OASIS, a program which is
designed to contribute to both the renewal of the church and of
American Baptist Women s Ministries.  In this program, 60 women will
be selected by their regions for their gifts in small group ministry
to receive additional training in facilitating small groups.  These
women will then return to the regions to conduct small group retreats
for women in the regions.  Z. Allen Abbott, executive director of
American Baptist Men s ministries, announced that Doug Baker, former
Educational Ministries director of Youth Ministries, is now the
national coordinator for AB Boys and AB Young Men.  These groups are
being tested in approximately 34 churches at this time, and they will
be officially launched in 1997, the 75th anniversary of AB Men. 
Abbott also announced that an AB Men Disaster Relief Team, in
conjunction with National Ministries and other American Baptist
entities, is scheduled to assist in the rebuilding of one of the
churches that recently was burned in a string of reported arsons
targeting African American churches.  Ken Giacoletto, president of
the American Baptist Assembly in Green Lake, Wis., reported on the
goal of the Green Lake Conference Center to be a place of renewal,
refreshment, and transformation for American Baptists.  Giacoletto
commented on the efforts made by the staff to focus on customer
service, while allowing conferees space to experience God s presence. 
According to Giacoletto, the upcoming AB Men s conference and the ABW
conference registration has increased 20 percent this year.  As part
of the Assembly s long-range goal to include more youth and young
adult programming, a 10-week summer program for youth is envisioned. 
Giacoletto also noted the Assembly s emphasis on pastoral renewal,
giving pastors not only new tools for effective ministry, but also
the rest and refreshment they need.

o  The emphasis on God s Word begun at the November 1995 meeting of
the Board of Educational Ministries was continued at the Board's
semiannual sessions at Green Lake.  A number of board members, staff
and region leaders had responded to an invitation by Executive
Director Jean B. Kim to read through the Bible in 1996, recording
their questions and noting major biblical themes and helpful
resources.  Three members shared testimonies of their experiences in
reading through the Bible.  Larry Weaver, from Rantoul, Ill., said he
admired the courage of such biblical characters as Nathan, Nehemiah
and Esther.  He said that he was keeping a journal during his
reading.  Loris Coletta, of Aptos, Calif., said that she and her
husband had committed to read the Bible together.  She spoke about
several interesting dynamics she had discovered in her reading. 
William Wallin had challenged his church in Wilmette, Ill., to join
him in reading through the Bible.  As a result, he now meets on a
monthly basis with ten persons from his congregation to share
insights from God s Word.  The board also welcomed the Rev. Clayton
Woodbury, executive minister of the Pittsburgh Baptist Association,
who continued the focus on the Bible at the Board and Staff Dinner. 
Through biblical storytelling, Woodbury told the passion narrative as
recorded by Mark.  Kim noted that feedback from those participating
in the Bible reading venture will be valuable input for Educational
Ministries to provide helps for people to understand the biblical
text and apply it to their lives.

o  The Board of Educational Ministries heard positive reports in
several key ministry areas, including plans for a full summer
conference season at Green Lake; the appointment of a new director of
youth ministries and a director of marketing for Judson Press; and a
newly-designed curriculum and books catalog.  The Publishing
Committee reported the sale of 20,000 copies of the new devotional
book Sister to Sister, edited by Suzan D. Johnson Cook.  Committee
chairperson Dolores Fay Laners noted that new publishing projects
included 
4
identifying new markets for The Secret Place devotional guide and a
new mission curriculum venture with ABC International Ministries. 
The Rev. Trinette V. McCray, president of the Board of Educational
Ministries, in highlighting these accomplishments, called on the
board to be "lifesavers" in spreading the word to others about 
the new directions in which Educational Ministries is moving to serve
all its constituencies.  In a report to the board, executive director
Dr. Jean B. Kim introduced resources that had been developed to help
board members and staff share Educational Ministries  mission when
appealing for funding.  Kim shared a printed case statement and
accompanying video, as well as an annual report that described the
work of the 172-year-old organization.
"In addition," Kim said, "the policy statement on the educational
mission of the church and the Scriptures both present a strong case
for our mission."  Board members considered ways they could use the
case materials to increase support for educational ministry.  The
Board is seeking to build endowment funds to provide ongoing support
for ministries with children and youth, preparation of pastoral
leaders, and Baptist identity.

o  Dr. Daniel E. and Miriam P. Fountain, American Baptist
missionaries in Zaire for nearly 37 years who will be retiring this
year, were honored during semiannual sessions of the American Baptist
Board of International Ministries at Green Lake.  Dan Fountain has
served as the primary physician and administrator at the Vanga
Hospital in central Zaire, an institution treating nearly 15,000
patients annually.  In a country marked by obsolete medical
facilities and a chronic shortage of medical workers, Fountain has
been widely hailed as a major figure in raising standards of health
care.  His book, Primary Diagnosis and Treatment: A Manual for
Clinical and Health Centre Staff in Developing Countries, has served
as the principal textbook for medical work in Zaire and has been used
extensively in other parts of the world.  At the time of the book's
publication in 1992, Fountain noted, "My intention is to enable
primary care workers in Africa to treat sick people competently. 
Nurses and auxiliary nurses are the major providers, as 90 percent of
sick people there never see a doctor."  Fountain also is the author
of Health, the Bible and the Church and Let's Build Our Lives.  He
served in 1987-1988 as missionary-in-residence at Wheaton College's
Billy Graham Center.  In 1959 Daniel and Miriam Fountain, who holds a
degree in nursing, were appointed to missionary service in Zaire by
the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society.   They began their work
at Vanga in 1961, when that institution was a one-bed hospital.  In
1962 Dan Fountain founded the Vanga Medical Assistants' Training
School.  During their years of medical service at Vanga, Dan and
Miriam Fountain have been instrumental in the rapid development of a
church-based rural public health program affecting a population of
more than a quarter million persons.  Dan Fountain achieved national
prominence when he was selected as one of the U.S. Junior Chamber of
Commerce's "Ten Outstanding Young Men" of 1964.  His work in Zaire
was featured in Look magazine and other media at this time.  In a
"Resolution of Appreciation" honoring the Fountains, the Board noted:
"The Fountains  missionary service has been characterized by their
holistic approach to healing, incorporating body, mind, spirit and
relationships.  In addition to their medical ministry and
evangelistic concern, Dan and Miriam have dedicated their lives to
the training of other health care workers.  Through their discipling,
Zaire health care teams are now caring for the needs of their people
through many church health programs in Western Zaire."

OTHER NEWS

o  Dr. Gordon E. Smith, executive director of The Ministers and
Missionaries Benefit Board, announced that CIGNA, the insurance
carrier that administers the ABC Medical/Dental Plan, will no longer
provide its services unless M&M secures costly exemptions from state
regulations.  M&M has been advised that even after expending a
significant amount of time and money, exemptions from state
regulation would in no way be guaranteed.  Without exemption, M&M can
no longer offer a specific national plan through an insurance
carrier.
CIGNA has determined that in its view M&M's Plan cannot be offered
under state regulations after Dec. 31, 1996 in Arizona, California,
Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas,
Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.  Because of
potential state regulation, increased costs, attrition and M&M's
inability to find a national insurance underwriter, with great
reluctance the Board of Managers voted at its spring 1996 meeting to
close the ABC Medical/Dental Plan, including the M&M Medicare
Supplement.  As an indication of its continuing commitment to medical
coverage for its members, the Board also voted to allocate 25 percent
of revenues from M & M's permanent funds (endowment)--currently 
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estimated to be $3.4 million annually--to provide subsidies for
members who need them most.  The Plan will close in the 25 states
identified above on Dec. 31, 1996 and will close in all of the
remaining states on Dec. 31, 1997.  M&M is prepared to assist members
and employers in obtaining alternate medical insurance coverage.
In making this announcement, Smith said, "Closing the ABC
Medical/Dental Plan has been the most difficult experience in my 21-
year tenure with M&M.  Having just returned to work after recovering
from a serious illness, I am more aware than ever of the importance
of health care protection.  I want to assure members that M&M will do
everything possible to assist them in obtaining alternate health care
coverage."

o  At its second meeting June 18-19 at Green Lake, the committee
charged with planning the 1997 Biennial Meeting of American Baptist
Churches USA set for next June in Indianapolis continued to specify
and develop program elements.  The gathering will be held June 24-27,
1997.  Under a theme of "Renewed for Mission: Rooted in God's Word"
that it established in January, the Biennial Program Committee is
continuing the commitment of its recent predecessors to lift up the
longterm denominational emphasis, "ABC 2000: Renewed for Mission,"
that was launched in 1993.  During the meeting here, the Committee
responded in its planning to a goal it articulated in January: "To
provide an atmosphere in which we renew our commitment to know, speak
and live God's Word."  Program elements will include multiple daily
Bible studies and prayer times, evening worship experiences, music,
action on Statements of Concern and on denominational business, and
the election of American Baptist Churches officers for the biennium
1998-1999.  Also, afternoons will feature a wide variety of
interactive and other activities emphasizing components of the goal:
Wednesday--Adventures in Knowing the Word; Thursday--Speaking the
Word; Friday--Living the Word.  These activities encompass
experiences on-site and off-site that in recent Biennial Meetings
were included as workshops, pavilions and mission encounters.  The
planning included developing details for an opening night celebration
that will lift up the theme through music, drama and other art forms. 
In another action, the Committee received confirmation on all invited
evening plenary speakers: Dr. Daniel E. Weiss, American Baptist
Churches USA general secretary (Wednesday); Dr. G. Elaine Smith,
American Baptist Churches USA president (Thursday); and the Rev. Bill
Hybels, senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South
Barrington, Ill. (Friday).  Willow Creek, founded in 1975, is one of
the largest and fastest-growing congregations in the U.S. An
estimated 12,000 people attend three weekend services and another
6,000 gather for mid-week worship.  The church includes more than 90
sub-ministries, and makes strategic use of some 5,000 volunteers and
small-group work.  Biennial Meetings of American Baptist Churches
have provided opportunities for fellowship, Bible study, worship in
word and music, and action on denominational business.  Program and
logistical planning for the 1997 Biennial Meeting will continue when
the Committee meets for its final planning session in December in
Cherry Hill, N.J.  The Biennial Program Committee is being chaired by
Dr. Beverly D. Scott of Orange, N.J., an educator and former vice
president of American Baptist Churches USA. 

o  The Rev. Evan J. Jones, director of Alaska Ministries for American
Baptist National Ministries and a commissioned home missionary, has
announced his intention to retire from that position on Sept. 30,
1996.
Jones, who joined National Ministries' staff in 1985, has overseen
home mission work in Alaska including new church planting and area
ministry.  Jones also has served as a staff liaison with American
Baptist home mission partners in Alaska such as Kodiak Baptist
Mission, Cordova Community Christian Center and Alaska Children's
Services in Anchorage.  He has assisted in the procurement of
volunteers and leadership for local churches and represented American
Baptist Churches USA with the National Baptist Convention in Alaska. 
Prior to his service with National Ministries, Jones was an
administrative army chaplain at Ft. Wainwright, Fairbanks, Alaska. 
Previously he served as a chaplain with the 101st Airborne.  Jones
has been the state of Alaska area command chaplain for the Alaska
National Guard and recently was called up to active service during
wildfires that burned nearly 50,000 acres in the state.  Jones has
also pastored two American Baptist churches: Green Ridge Baptist
Church, Scranton, Pa., and First Baptist Church, Cape May Court
House, N.J.  Commenting on Jones's retirement, the Rev. David
Laubach, National Ministries' associate executive director for
Evangelism and Church Renewal, said: "The American Baptist churches
of Alaska have strengthened their identity and ministries under
Evan's leadership.  He has helped American Baptist leaders there to
envision a future of increased autonomy, mission and fellowship.  The
Alaska youth and children's services, Christian centers and camping
ministries also have all benefited from his wisdom and experience." 
Jones will continue to minister in Alaska as a volunteer and
consultant following his retirement.
6
o  Dr. John J. (Jack) Gleason, director of Chaplaincy and Pastoral
Counseling Services for American Baptist National Ministries, has
announced his resignation, effective Aug. 16, 1996.  Gleason has
accepted a position as Clinical Pastoral Education supervisor at New
York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center in New York City.  Gleason
joined National Ministries' staff in 1987 and has served as an
American Baptist commissioned home missionary.  As director of
Chaplaincy and Pastoral Counseling Services, Gleason has been the
endorsing agent for and liaison with the more than 600 institutional
chaplains, military chaplains and pastoral counselors who serve as
National Ministries associated home missionaries.  He has edited
Dialogue, a professional journal for chaplains and pastoral
counselors.  During his tenure with National Ministries, Gleason
established the Minister's Council for Chaplains and Pastoral
Counselors.  He also initiated the annual Chaplains and Pastoral
Counselors Sunday, observed in American Baptist churches the third
Sunday of October.  Prior to joining National Ministries staff,
Gleason served as associate director of chaplaincy for training and
research at Indiana University Hospitals in Indianapolis and
established a clinical pastoral education program at St. John's
Medical Center, Anderson, Ind.  Gleason also directed pastoral
services and clinical pastoral education in Columbia, Mo., and served
pastorates in Georgia.  He is the author of two books.  In response
to Gleason's resignation, National Ministries' Deputy Executive
Director Susan Gillies said: "Jack has been a pastoral presence among
us in many ways.  His encouragement of those who are representing
Christ in hospitals, prisons, on military bases and in counseling
practices has been a graceful modeling of pastoral care.  We will
miss his very significant contribution to National Ministries but
send him off to a new and exciting ministry with our prayers and best
wishes."

o  The Rev. Donald Ng, director of the Department of Education for
Discipleship, Educational Ministries/American Baptist Churches USA,
has announced the appointment of the Rev. J. Thomas Son of
Indianapolis, Ind., as director of Youth Ministries, effective Sept.
3.  Son currently is associate minister of First Baptist Church,
Indianapolis, where his responsibilities include pastoral, teaching
and program ministries.
A native of Kentucky, Son graduated from Eastern Kentucky University,
Richmond, Ky., in 1984.  He earned an M.A. degree in History at
Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind. in 1986.  He was awarded a
M.Div. degree, with a pastoral/teaching emphasis, by The Southern
Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky., in 1991, and was
ordained as an American Baptist minister the same year.  He is
currently pursuing a D.Min. degree in Christian Spirituality at
Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C.  Son is well known to
American Baptists for his creative leadership in a variety of
positions at several Educational Ministries-sponsored conferences,
including the 1990 and 1994 National Gatherings of American Baptist
Youth at Estes Park, Colo., and at National Senior High Conferences
at Green Lake, Wis. in 1989, 1991 and 1993.  For two years he has
served as worship leader and on the planning committee for Edu-Care,
an ecumenical Christian education conference jointly sponsored by
American Baptist Churches of Indiana, American Baptist Churches of
Greater Indianapolis, American Baptist Churches USA, Church of the
Brethren, the United Church of Christ, and the Christian Church
(Disciples).  Son s experience at the local church level has included
positions as assistant minister and youth minister at First Baptist
Church, Sullivan, Ind., and First Baptist Church-United Church of
Christ, Bloomington, Ind.  In those churches he developed expertise
in program planning and preaching as well as creative leadership in
music and worship.  "Thom has a deep understanding of ministry, and
of the emerging needs of local churches," said Ng.  "He brings to
this position a high level of programming and planning expertise for
youth ministry, which can serve as a model for local and regional
strategies.  We re excited that he has both an understanding of
American Baptist tradition and resources, and the vision to lead
Educational Ministries in new directions for youth ministry."

o  Betty Beaman, retired staffperson of American Baptist
International Ministries and the Rev. Jean Feiler, retired
staffperson of American Baptist National Ministries, are serving as
missionaries-in-residence at the American Baptist Assembly, Green
Lake, Wis., during the summer of 1996.  Beaman served as director of
Recruitment in the Overseas Division of International Ministries
prior to her retirement.  In that position, she directed the
recruitment of career missionaries and served in the selection and
placement of short-term missionaries and volunteers.  Beaman has
already begun her summer's service at the International Ministries
museum located on the conference grounds in Pillsbury Hall.  In
addition to representing International Ministries at Green Lake
conferences this summer, Beaman plays a significant role in helping
with the World Mission 
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Conference, the largest American Baptist conference held at the
Assembly.   Feiler served as director of Enrollment for American
Baptist Personnel Services (ABPS) and as a National Ministries
commissioned home missionary prior to her retirement.  In that
position, she directed the enrollment in ABPS of American Baptist
professional church leaders, including seminarians.  Feiler will work
out of an office in the Home Mission Center located between Kraft
Administration Building and the greenhouse on the Assembly grounds. 
Beginning July 2 she will serve as a key resource person available to
promote and interpret American Baptist home mission to conference
participants and visitors to the Assembly.  American Baptist
Educational Ministries also has missionaries-in-residence during the
summer conference season.

o  Prayer, family life and evangelism are among the areas of ministry
being lifted up in conferences sponsored by American Baptist National
Ministries this summer at the American Baptist Assembly, Green Lake,
Wis.
The focus of the Multi-Cultural Prayer Conference, scheduled for July
13-20, will be "redeeming and overcoming the powers of the slave
master" (Ephesians 6:10-12).  Participants will look together at
becoming free from systems of domination that "shrivel our spirit and
demean every aspect of our life--personal, professional, political
and spiritual," according to conference planners.  Opportunities for
spiritual mentoring, meditation and covenant prayer groups will be
provided.  The conference facilitator is Jim Boardman, pastor of
First Baptist Church, Ames, Iowa.  Resource leaders include Delores
McCabe, Donald Crosby, Trinette McCray, Owen Owens and Jan DeWitt.  A
Family Life Training Lab, scheduled July 12-20 in conjunction with
Green Lake's National Family Life Celebration, is directed toward
persons, both clergy and laity, who want to become skilled in giving
leadership for intergenerational and family events within the context
of the local American Baptist church or region.  Jan and Myron
Chartier, ministers of Christian Education and Family Life for the
American 
Baptist Churches of Michigan, will serve as trainers for the event. 
Additional leadership will be provided by Richard Sutton, Paul Welter
and Joel and Jan Fredrikson.  The 1996 Evangelism Meeting will
convene Aug. 10-16 around the theme, "Embrace the Passion: Discover
the Power of Real Love."  Evening speakers and preachers are Keith
Miller, Willis Lucas, Genaro Diesto, Gus Roman, Carolina Rosales and
Will Miller.  Mary Hammond will serve as Bible study leader and Curt
Cloniger will use his comic and dramatic skills to interpret God's
Good News in fresh ways.  A variety of workshops also are scheduled,
including "Ministry and Evangelism in the Popular Culture,"
"Preaching for Decision and Discipleship," "Recovery Evangelism,"
"Family Life: Where Faith Becomes Reality and Reality Demands Faith,"
"Woman to Woman: Mobilizing for Witness and Outreach" and "Witness
and Warfare in a New Church."  For information about National
Ministries events and  conferences, contact the Home Mission
Communication Center, 1-800-ABC-3USA, ext. 2464.  

96U628
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"Update" currently is available in print form (mailed first class at
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demand service at (610)337-7439; as "American Baptist News Service"
on ABNET, the American Baptist Churches' computer network (a
branch of ECUNET); and on the Internet Web sites for American Baptist
Churches USA (http://www.abc-usa.org) and for World-Wide Faith
News (http://www.wfn.org/wfn).                              

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