wfn.org | ABCUSA: ABHHA Announces 2003 Biennial Award Recipients

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

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 1/14/03)--The executive
committee of the American Baptist Homes and Hospitals Association (ABHHA)
has announced the recipients of the organization's Special Merit Citation
Awards that will be presented this June during the 2003 American Baptist
Biennial Meeting in Richmond, Va.

"The individuals receiving these awards exemplify the variety of ministries
carried out by ABHHA members," says Patricia Griffith, ABHHA board president
and executive vice president of Central Baptist/Hudelson Baptist Children's
Home in Illinois. "These are the human faces of Christ's love for His
people-from church congregations who see their role in developing needed
programs to agencies who have been providing services for decades. We are
very proud to honor these men for their work."

The ABHHA awards will recognize the following:

Local American Baptist churches involved in creating ABHHA-related
ministries - 

The Rev. Dr. Daniel L. Flores, pastor, Primera Iglesia Bautista de Carolina,

Puerto Rico. Flores guided the congregation in establishing 10 new community
ministries, including a hot meals program for 200 persons daily, elderly day
care, support programs for people with Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's
Disease, and a housing project with 40 apartments for low-income seniors.

The Rev. Dr. Samuel Berry McKinney, pastor, Mount Zion Baptist Church,
Seattle, Wash.	McKinney led the church in creating ministries that include
a mental health task force, meal ministry for those who are homeless, sick
and shut-in, and the Ethnic School to enhance youth self-esteem through
cultural education.  Under his supervision the church constructed a 64-unit
retirement home.

ABHHA Specialized Service Organization - 

Dr. Wilbur Wheaton, chair (1997-2001), Rainbow Acres Ranch Board, Camp
Verde, Ariz. During Wheaton's leadership term the board consolidated Rainbow
Acres' ministry on one site, developed a model for new ranch homes, and
conducted the "Building Homes with Heart" capital campaign. Wheaton also led
in expanding programs of health and wellness, life long learning, and
vocational development.

ABHHA Retirement Home and Long Term Care Facility - 

Mr. James W. McDaniel, vice president and chief financial officer, Baptist
Homes of Indiana, Inc., Zionsville, Ind. During 24 years of service to
Baptist Homes of Indiana McDaniel has helped make the organization
financially one of the strongest retirement communities related to ABHHA.
Under his leadership the three continuing care retirement communities were
completely renovated and significantly expanded.

The American Baptist Homes and Hospitals Association comprises 130 member
organizations in the United States and Puerto Rico serving more than 18,000
persons daily. ABHHA has been related to National Ministries since 1940. For
more information visit www.nationalministries.org and choose "American
Baptist Homes and Hospitals" on the site map menu or call
1-800-ABC-3USA/x2405.

K/2003ABNS/03ABN7

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA x2077
/ (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org