wfn.org | TITLE: AMERICAN BAPTIST NEWS FOR 8/13/96

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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

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UPDATE: AUGUST 13, 1996
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o  Dr. Roberta Hestenes, president of Eastern College in St. Davids,
Pa., has announced her resignation, effective Oct. 15, to become
senior pastor of Solano Beach Presbyterian Church in California.  
Hestenes has served since 1987 as president of the school, one of 16
colleges related to American Baptist Churches USA through American
Baptist Educational Ministries.  Prior to her leadership at Eastern
Hestenes was an associate professor and director of the Christian
Formation and Discipleship Division of Fuller Theological Seminary. 
She also was chair of the board of World Vision International.  An
ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church (USA), Hestenes has been
an active leader in that denomination.  Dr. Harold Howard, Eastern's
provost, will serve as interim president while a search committee
works to find Hestenes' successor.  Founded in 1952, Eastern College
presently has a student body of approximately 2,000.

o   Thomas Johnson, president of American Baptist-related University
of Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls, S.D., has announced his intention to
resign that position.  Johnson, who has led the school for eight
years, will remain as president until his successor is named, with an
official end of his presidency no later than June 30, 1997.  A
Presidential Search Committee soon will begin work.  The University
of Sioux Falls is one of 16 colleges and universities related to
American Baptist Churches USA through American Baptist Educational
Ministries.  This month it is completing a $10.5-million capital
funds campaign, "Investing in Excellence."  Johnson has been a part
of the university's life for 18 years as a faculty member, faculty
chairperson and academic dean, as well as president.  In announcing
his resignation he noted a desire to return to teaching, research and
writing.  "I feel as though what I was called to do at the University
of Sioux Falls has been accomplished," he said.  "I have seen USF
grow in many ways over the years and am looking forward to watching
it move into the next phase."
The University of Sioux Falls, founded in 1883, currently serves
approximately 1,000 students.

o  Dr. John A. Molletti, former associate director of Alaska
Children's Services and administrator of the Anchorage Children's
Christian Home, died Aug. 5 in Des Moines, Wash.  Molletti, who
retired in 1981, served 16 years as a missionary with American
Baptist National Ministries as well as pastor of First Baptist Church
in Anchorage.  He also had served at Community Baptist Church in
Kodiak and at Community Baptist Church in Westford, Calif.  He
received the American Baptist Churches' Rosa O. Hall Award for town
and country ministry in 1953.  In recent years Molletti served as
interim at the Newport Hills in Bellevue, Wash.  He and his wife,
Dorothy (Dee), were residents at Judson Park Retirement Community in
Des Moines.  Condolences may be sent to his wife and family at Judson
Park Retirement Community, Apt. 353, 23600 Marine View Dr. South, Des
Moines, WA 98198.

96U813
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