wfn.org | GILLIES NAMED ABC EXECUTIVE IN NEBRASKA

[RICH.SCHRAMM@ecunet.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

GILLIES CALLED AS EXECUTIVE MINISTER 
OF AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES OF NEBRASKA
 Susan E. Gillies, deputy executive director of 
National Ministries, American Baptist Churches USA, has been 
elected by the American Baptist Churches of Nebraska as 
regional executive minister.  Gillies, a commissioned 
American Baptist home missionary, will assume the position 
at the region office in Omaha on Nov. 6. 
 Stanley Jensen, who chaired the search committee for 
the Nebraska region, shared his perspective on the region's 
decision:  "We are excited about the successful completion 
of our search resulting in the selection of a person with 
the stature of Susan Gillies.  We were looking for someone 
with a sense of God's call who has strong experience in 
leadership, strategic planning, conflict resolution and 
communication.  Susan also has deep roots in Nebraska and 
understands the culture here."
 Nebraska is one of 34 regional ministry organizations 
related to American Baptist Churches USA.  Gillies, who has 
served for 13 years on the national denominational staff, is 
a native of Nebraska.
 Susan Gillies joined National Ministries as director 
of Ministry of the Laity in the Workplace in 1987 and was 
appointed deputy executive director in 1991.  She is a 
corporate officer of the American Baptist Home Mission 
Society and the Woman's American Baptist Home Mission 
Society, which comprise the Board of National Ministries.  
Gillies has been a member of National Ministries' leadership 
team and a geographical ministry team leader.  Most recently 
she has coordinated and monitored National Ministries 
progress toward the achievement of the denomination's NEW 
LIFE 2010 goals--1,010 new churches, 1,000,010 new 
Christians, a multitude of caring ministries and the 
transformation of American Baptist congregations by the year 
2010.
 Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III, National Minstries' 
executive director, noted Gillies' "commitment to American 
Baptist congregations and mission in the United States and 
Puerto Rico."
 "Susan Gillies is one of the great home missionaries 
of our era," he said.  "I have been privileged to work with 
her these years and will surely miss her daily presence and 
contribution but look forward to a vital and continued 
partnership as she moves to a different spot on the mission 
field." 
 Gillies' experience in American Baptist denominational 
life includes service on the General Executive Council, the 
board of managers for American Baptist Women's Ministries, 
the board of the American Baptist Assembly, Green Lake, 
Wis., and the board of the University of Sioux Falls, S.D. 
 Prior to joining National Ministries Gillies was 
general manager of public radio stations KFJM and KFJM-FM in 
Grand Forks, N.D.  She also was a communications faculty 
member at Eastern Kentucky University, the University of 
Sioux Falls and Wayne State College.  Gillies holds a 
master' degree from the University of Memphis and a 
bachelor's degree from the University of Sioux Falls.  In 
1999 she completed a certificate program in non-profit 
management through the University of Wisconsin.

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