wfn.org | ABCUSA: Ministers Conference Scheduled for Jan. 26-29, 2004

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

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 4/7/03)--A national
conference for American Baptist ministers, "Strong in the Lord," is
scheduled for Jan. 26-29, 2004, in Orlando, Fla.  

The conference will seek to meet several goals, including shaping and
strengthening pastoral ministry, connecting colleagues from various ministry
specialties and geographical settings, and encouraging participation in
collegial covenant groups. 

The conference, which will focus on the life of the minister, will feature
worship, Bible study, plenary presentations and peer group gatherings.
Foundational Scripture passages include Ephesians 3:16-21 and Ephesians
6:10.

The Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, executive minister of the District of Columbia
Baptist Convention, is leading a planning team in coordinating the event.

Program participants will include: the Rev. Dr. Gordon MacDonald, speaker,
former pastor and author of more than a dozen books including Ordering Your
Private World, Renewing Your Spiritual Passion, and Rebuilding Your Broken
World; the Rev. Wilma Johnson, pastor of the New Prospect Baptist Church,
Detroit, Mich.; the Rev. David Wood, pastor of First Baptist Church,
Gardiner, Me., and coordinator of the Transition into Ministry Program, a
grant program funded by the Lilly Endowment, Inc.; the Rev. Oscar
Garcia-Johnson, regional minister for Hispanic congregational ministry, new
church planting and leadership development, American Baptist Churches of Los
Angeles; the Rev. Margaret Marcuson, consultant with clergy and other
leaders who want to be healthier and more effective, and former pastor of
the First Baptist Church, Gardner, Mass., for 13 years; and the Rev. Dr.
Kirk Byron-Jones, Kelsey-Owens Professor of Black Ministries and assistant
professor of Social Ethics, Andover Newton Theological School, and author of
Rest in the Storm: Self-Care Strategies for Clergy and Other Caregivers and
Addicted to Hurry: Spiritual Strategies for Slowing Down.

The conference will be held at the Sheraton World Resort, 10100
International Dr., Orlando, a 28-acre site that is within walking distance
of Sea World and offers complimentary shuttle service to the Disney theme
parks.

Registration details will be available soon through Web sites of the
American Baptist Churches USA (www.abc-usa.org) and the Ministers Council
(www.ministerscouncil.com).  Further materials also will be provided at the
American Baptist Churches USA Biennial Meeting in Richmond in June.

Continuing education units (2.2) will be awarded. Contact Lynne Eckman at
1-800-ABC-3USA/x2067 to apply for a continuing education renewal grant.

K/2003ABNS/03ABN54

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