wfn.org | Speakers announced for General

["Wilma Shuffitt"<wshuffit@oc.disciples.org>]

Assembly
Date: March 30, 1999
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
Email: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

99b-20

	INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- A United Church 
of Christ minister and former U.N. 
ambassador, the pastor of a 
fast-growing Cleveland Disciples 
congregation, and a United Methodist 
pastor whose church is doing pioneer 
work in multimedia ministry head the 
list of speakers during the General 
Assembly in Cincinnati.

	The Revs. Andrew Young, Robin E. 
Hedgeman and Michael Slaughter will 
lead Disciples from across North 
America as they gather Oct. 8-12 under 
the theme, "The Journey Now."

	The Rev. Andrew Young will speak 
during the Oct. 12 closing worship 
service. The United Church of Christ 
minister is currently co-chairman of 
Good Works International, an 
Atlanta-based specialty consulting 
group.

	In 1994, President Bill Clinton 
appointed Young chair of the South 
Africa Enterprise Development Fund, a 
$100-million privately managed fund 
that provides equity to businesses in 
southern Africa.

	A public servant and sports 
enthusiast, Young was elected to the 
U.S. House of Representatives three 
times, served two terms as mayor of 
Atlanta and was co-chairman of the 1996 
Olympic Games. He was appointed 
ambassador to the United Nations by 
former President Jimmy Carter. 

	The human rights activist was a top 
aide to the late Rev. Martin Luther 
King, Jr., and was vice president of 
the Southern Christian Leadership 
Conference. He presently is a board 
member of  the Martin Luther King, Jr., 
Center for Non-Violent Social Change in 
Atlanta. 

	Young belongs to the directorates of 
numerous businesses and organizations 
including Delta Airlines, Argus, Host 
Marriott Corporation, Archer Daniel 
Midland, Cox Communications and Thomas 
Nelson Publishing. He has published two 
books, A Way Out of No Way and An Easy 
Burden. 

	He holds bachelor's and master's 
degrees from Howard University, 
Washington, D.C., and Hartford (Conn.) 
Seminary. 

	The Rev. Robin Hedgeman is senior 
pastor of Bethany Christian Church in 
Cleveland. According to the 1998 Year 
Book and Directory, Bethany Church led 
in baptisms among congregations with 
501 to 1000 participating members. 
Hedgeman will preach Oct. 11. 

	The Washington, D.C., native served 
from 1990-1998 as associate regional 
minister of the Christian Church 
(Disciples of Christ) in Ohio. From 
1988 to 1990 she was pastor of Howett 
Street Christian Church, Peoria, Ill.

	Hedgeman is a past president of the 
Division of Overseas Ministries board 
of directors. She also served the board 
as vice president and has been vice 
president of the alumni association at 
Lexington Theological Seminary. 

	She also has been active with the 
International Christian Women's 
Fellowship, giving the closing address 
during the 1994 Quadrennial Assembly, 
and served on the ICWF cabinet and with 
Church Women Staff Fellowship.

	She holds a doctorate of ministry from 
United Theological Seminary, Dayton, 
Ohio. Hedgeman earned bachelor's and 
master's degrees from Towson (Md.) 
State University and Lexington 
Theological Seminary.

	The Rev. Michael Slaughter has been 
pastor of Ginghamsburg United Methodist 
Church, Tipp City, Ohio, since 1979. 
During this time attendance at the 
church increased from 90 to more than 
3,000. He will lead an Oct. 11 morning 
presentation in a day-long focus on 
evangelism.  

	Slaughter holds associate's and 
bachelor's degrees from the University 
of Cincinnati. He earned master of 
divinity and doctorate of ministry 
degrees from Asbury Theological 
Seminary, Wilmore, Ky., and United 
Theological Seminary, Dayton, where he 
serves on the board of trustees. He is 
on the Beeson Pastor's Council at 
Asbury Seminary. 

	The active United Methodist has been a 
delegate to three United Methodist 
General Conferences and two 
Jurisdictional Conferences. He also 
serves on the West Ohio Conference 
Board of Ministry.

	Slaughter has written two books on 
church renewal: Spiritual 
Entrepreneurs: 6 Principles for Risking 
Renewal and Out On The Edge: A Wake-Up 
Call For Church Leaders On The Edge Of 
The Media Reformation.

	His latest book, Out on the Edge, 
outlines the strategy implemented by 
Ginghamsburg Church in its integration 
of multimedia into the worship 
celebration. A team of professional and 
volunteer media persons utilize 
cameras, graphics, video, sound and 
lighting in producing what has been 
called "the leading worship celebration 
media experience in North America."
 
	 Moderator Michael Mooty, senior 
minister of Central Christian Church, 
Lexington, Ky.will preach at Friday 
evening's opening worship. He will 
conclude his term as moderator at the 
close of assembly. General Minister and 
President Richard L. Hamm, 
Indianapolis, will speak Sunday 
evening. The Rev. Feliberto Pereira, 
head of Good Samaritan Ministries, Los 
Fresnos, Texas will speak on Saturday 
morning as part of the day's emphasis 
on justice ministries.. 

	-- end --

Editor's note: Photos of Andrew Young, 
Robin Hedgeman and Michael Mooty will 
be mailed.