wfn.org | AMERICAN BAPTIST NEWS UPDATE: AUG. 24, 1999

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American Baptist News Update for Aug. 24, 1999

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
Web: www.abc-usa.org
Richard W. Schramm, Director
 E-mail: richard.schramm@abc-usa.org

UPDATE: August 24, 1999

ABMEN ANNOUNCES FIRST INTERNATIONAL RELIEF OPERATION,
SET FOR REBUILDING EFFORTS IN HURRICANE-BATTERED NICARAGUA
 In the first ABMen international relief operation,
Men's Ministries of National Ministries, American Baptist
Churches USA, in partnership with American Baptist
International Ministries, will send teams of volunteers to
assist with rebuilding efforts in Nicaragua following the
devastation of Hurricane Mitch.  Dr. Z. Allen Abbott,
director of Men's Ministries, made the announcement during
the recent Baptist Men’s Conference in Green Lake, Wis.,
saying the first team will be deployed Nov. 27-Dec. 6.
 "This national project for ABMen is another example of
National Ministries' ongoing partnership with the American
Baptist family to further the work of God in America and
beyond," Abbott said.  The announcement followed a meeting
of the ABMen’s Council with Mike Buckles, coordinator of
Volunteer Missionary Groups for International Ministries.
Ray Schellinger-Gutierrez, an American Baptist missionary in
Nicaragua, conveyed words of thanks to conferees.
 The relief teams will be involved in addressing needs
defined by the Baptist Convention of Nicaragua, PROVADENIC
(a primary health care program of the Convention), and the
Council of Evangelical Churches.  Projects will range from
digging latrines and pipelines to reconstruction of clinics,
churches and homes.  Masons, carpenters and medical
personnel are needed in addition to general laborers.
Abbott said volunteer teams will be sent through the spring
and summer of 2000.
 ABMen's Council member Charlie Young of Charleston,
W.Va., expressed "great enthusiasm for this mission.  It
gives ABMen an opportunity to serve as a national group, and
the need is so great."  Among the first to enlist was Buren
"Sparky" Sparks, ABMen Disaster Relief coordinator for West
Virginia.  Sparks recently completed two disaster relief
trips to Puerto Rico through National Ministries' Volunteers
In Mission program and a trip to Mexico.
 For detailed information about the ABMen Disaster
Relief plans for Nicaragua call Abbott at 800-ABC-3USA/ext.
2286 or Young at 304-744-6586.
 Others who wish to volunteer in Nicaragua should
contact Mike Buckles at 877-ABC-4USA.  For information about
volunteer service opportunities in the U.S. or Puerto Rico
call National Ministries' Volunteers In Mission office at
800-ABC-3USA/ext. 2449.

CARROLL YOUTH CENTER DEVELOPMENT BEGUN AT GREEN LAKE
 The Green Lake Conference Center/American Baptist
Assembly in Green Lake, Wis., is breaking ground this summer
for the Carroll Youth Center, named in honor of the Rev.
John L. "Bud" Carroll for his lifelong work with youth.
 During a 30-year career in education, specifically in
youth ministries, Carroll served as director of Youth,
director of Church Education, director of Leader Development
and deputy executive director of Educational Ministries,
among other positions.  Youth Leader Core, developed under
his leadership, is now in its 23rd year.  He was responsible
for the first major youth gathering in 1972 at Green Lake,
and has spent the last five summers volunteering at Green
Lake.
 The Center will be constructed between Robbins North
and South Halls and will have a lounge area and adult
counselor sleeping quarters.  While the new building is
being constructed improvements will be made to Robbins North
and South Halls.  Located near the Rysdon Recreation Center,
tennis courts, soccer and softball fields, the Center will
be within easy walking distance to the main conference area,
Friendship Beach and the boathouse.
 New youth conferencing at the Carroll Youth Center
will begin in summer 2000 with two conferences: Jr. High/Sr.
High Week, June 11-17, 2000; and Jr. High Week, June 18-24,
2000.
 The Center is made possible by a gift from Bob and Pat
Kern of Waukesha, Wis., and offerings collected at 1999
summer Sunday morning services at Green Lake will be used to
provide supplies, equipment, furnishings, etc.   Information
on how to help provide additional support for supplies,
equipment and furnishings is available from Marc Dosogne,
vice president of Development, at 1-800-558-8898.
 Also at Green Lake, the Rev. Tim Borchert, currently
pastor of the First Baptist Church of Tipp, Tipp City, Ohio,
will join the staff Oct. 1 as director of Senior High Youth
Programming.

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