wfn.org | ABCUSA: MMBB President Mary Purcell Honored

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Richard.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 11/25/02)--President Mary
H. Purcell was honored during the November meeting of the Board of Managers
of The Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board (MMBB) for 16 years of
outstanding service on the Board.  Purcell, whose current term ends Dec. 31,
2002, has served the last eight years as MMBB president.  

A "Mary H. Purcell Day" luncheon was held Nov. 6 at The Interchurch Center
in New York City, where MMBB's offices are located.  Former Board presidents
John W. Reed and Howard R. Moody were present for the occasion.  Purcell,
the first woman in MMBB's 91-year history to serve as Board president, was
cited for her personal warmth, wisdom and effective leadership.  During her
tenure she helped guide MMBB through a productive period of innovation and
growth, and was an effective interpreter of the Board's mission and
objectives at MMBB functions and American Baptist gatherings.

MMBB Vice President the Rev. George H. Tooze Jr., senior minister of the
First Baptist Church, Indianapolis, Ind., was elected to serve as the new
Board president, effective Jan. 1, 2003.  The Rev. Dr. Arlee Griffin Jr.,
senior pastor of the Berean Missionary Baptist Church, Brooklyn, N.Y., will
serve as vice president. 

The Board welcomed a new manager, James C. Foster, retired director of
personnel for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  He will serve as
the representative from the Board of National Ministries, effective Nov. 6,
2002.  An active American Baptist, Foster has served as president of
American Baptist Churches of the South, chair of the General Board
Nominating Committee and chair of the 2003 Biennial Program Committee.	 

During the meeting Purcell expressed appreciation to four managers who go
off the Board at the end of the year.  Michael K. Simpson, president of the
American University of Paris, concludes eight years of service as an
at-large manager.  The Rev. Richard E. Visser, senior pastor of the First
Baptist Church, Waynesburg, Pa., and the Rev. Leslie D. Rempel, retired area
minister for American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region, conclude
service as representatives from the General Board.  Joan T. Jensen, St.
Louis, Mo., completes a two-year term as representative from the Board of
International Ministries.

02ABN176

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(610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org; richard.schramm@abc-usa.org