wfn.org | JERE ALLEN TO RETIRE

[RICH.SCHRAMM@ecunet.org]

To: wfn-editors@wfn.org

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

ALLEN TO RETIRE DEC. 31 AS EXECUTIVE MINISTER 
OF DC BAPTIST CONVENTION
 The Rev. Jere Allen, executive minister of the 
District of Columbia Baptist Convention, will retire Dec. 
31, 2000.
 Allen, who has served in his present position since 
1992, has provided leadership to the 98 churches of the 
region, which is aligned with American Baptist Churches USA, 
the Southern Baptist Convention and the Progressive National 
Baptist Convention.
 During Allen's tenure the region has been implementing 
a vision-based strategic plan (1993-2000)  and the number of 
churches that are part of the regional family has increased 
by more than 20 percent.  In 1995 Allen and the DC Baptist 
Convention were instrumental in recommending that the entire 
Southern Baptist Convention develop and adopt a 
reconciliation resolution in which the denomination repented 
of its previous sins of racism. 
 Allen is a graduate of Auburn University and holds 
degrees from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Union 
Theological Seminary (Richmond).  He previous served 16 
years as a pastor before joining the staff of the Southern 
Baptist Home Mission Board.
 Convention President Lynn Bergfalk is chairing a 
search committee charged with identifying Allen's successor.

WFN83B 

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