wfn.org | ABCUSA: RIGGS TO NATIONAL MINISTRIES POST

[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

RIGGS TO JOIN NATIONAL MINISTRIES STAFF 
AS DIRECTOR OF CONGREGATIONAL 
TRANSFORMATION
 The Rev. Dr. Harry L. Riggs II, pastor of Christian 
Tabernacle Baptist Church, Hamden, Conn., has been 
named director of Congregational Transformation for 
National Ministries, American Baptist Churches USA.  He 
will begin in that position Sept. 1.
 As director of Congregational Transformation 
Riggs will work to build bridges between persons, 
programs and initiatives involving renewal and vitalization 
of congregations.  He also will coordinate relevant 
information and partnerships involving national and 
regional agencies and create an effective congregational 
transformation network. 
 In addition to his pastorate in Hamden Riggs has 
been actively involved in the life of the American Baptist 
Churches of Connecticut, serving its Department of 
Christian Outreach, Program Committee and Board of 
Directors.  His vision for ministry is "to lead the church in 
realizing maximum spiritual health, enabling [us] to win, 
build and equip people for a disciple-making ministry."
 Riggs also served as pastor of New Zion Baptist 
Church, Spindale, N.C.  He holds degrees from Northern 
Michigan University, Colgate Rochester Divinity School and 
Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
 Commenting on the Riggs' appointment, the Rev. 
David Laubach, National Ministries' associate executive 
director for Evangelism and Church Renewal, said: "Pastor 
Riggs brings his rich experience as the minister of a 
growing and healthy church and as a regional leader in 
Connecticut to this national ministry.  He will play a 
significant role in linking multiple regional and national 
congregational transformation initiatives and participate in 
the renewal of hundreds of American Baptist 
congregations in the NEW LIFE 2010 decade."
 NEW LIFE 2010 is the denominational emphasis to 
plant 1,010 congregations, welcome 1,000,010 believers, 
vitalize a multitude of caring ministries and transform 
American Baptist churches by the year 2010.   

WFN0710A

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