wfn.org | ABCUSA: George Hill, Prominent Pastor and Peace Advocate, Dies

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

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 3/6/03)--The Rev. Dr.
George W. Hill, an influential American Baptist pastor and well-known
advocate for peace and justice concerns, died March 3.	He was 85.

Hill held a number of pastorates over a half century of ministry: Atwater
Park Baptist Church in Los Angeles; First Baptist Church in Pasadena,
Calif.; Lake Avenue Baptist Church in Rochester, N.Y.; and Calvary Baptist
Church in Washington, D.C.  After retirement he served as associate minister
at First Baptist Church in Los Angeles and later as interim senior minister
at Riverside Church in New York and then First Baptist In Los Angeles.	

Throughout his ministry he held up issues of peace and justice as central to
the Gospel message, and was instrumental in inspiring many to examine those
issues in the context of their faith.  In affirmation of those commitments
he was honored by his denomination with the Edwin T. Dahlberg Peace Award in
1985.  He also chaired the National Peace Academy Campaign, which resulted
in the U.S. Institute of Peace, and was active in Pastors for Peace, among
other organizations.

American Baptist Churches USA General Secretary the Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley
said: "Dr. Hill's ministry for many years inspired and challenged
parishioners, politicians and presidents.  His message was relevant and
Christ-centered, and it unflinchingly addressed a complex society and its
many challenges. He helped guide several great urban multicultural
communities of faith in meaningful and productive outreach in the name of
Christ."

Denominationally Hill served in the mid-1970s on the General Board and Board
of International Ministries.  He was involved as an American Baptist
representative in peace and justice ministries of the National Council of
Churches of Christ.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 9 at First
Baptist Church in Los Angeles. Condolences may be sent to his wife, Mary,
and family at 618 W. 8th St., Claremont, CA 91711-4212.

K/2003ABNS/03ABN35

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