wfn.org | ABCUSA: Flemmings Leaves International Ministries

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

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 1/9/03)--Budget cuts for
2003 necessitated the elimination of the team leader for Urban Mission at
American Baptist International Ministries.  The Rev. Loreno R. Flemmings,
who assumed this new position in March 2001, completed his service with
International Ministries Dec. 31, 2002.

While the Board of International Ministries remains committed to the Urban
Mission priority outlined in its Go Global strategic plan, decreased
financial resources necessitated $1.3 million in cost reductions that
included this position and other positions within International Ministries.
The board currently is reassessing the ways in which International
Ministries will continue to pursue its Urban Mission goals without a team
leader.

In announcing Flemmings' departure, Dr. John A. Sundquist, executive
director of International Ministries, said,  "It is with deep regret that
our decreased financial resources necessitated this and other reductions
required for International Ministries to reach a balanced 2003 budget.	We
celebrate the contributions that Rev. Flemmings made during his time with
International Ministries."

K/2003ABNS/03ABN5

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (610)768-2077; fax:
(610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org; richard.schramm@abc-usa.org