wfn.org | ABCUSA: Spoolstra to Resign as Mass. Executive to Assume Pastorate

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

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 5/12/03)--The Rev. Dr.
Linda C. Spoolstra, executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of
Massachusetts since 1990, has announced her intention to resign that
position effective Aug. 3 to assume the pastorate of Calvary Baptist Church
in Providence, R.I.

In a letter sent last week to the region's churches, Spoolstra noted that
"since last fall I have a had a strong sense of God leading me back to
pastoral ministry where I can minister to and with one congregation at a
deeper level than I can in my current position.... Calvary Baptist Church is
committed to serving its urban neighborhood and is actively involved in the
ABC of Rhode Island, American Baptist Churches USA and community
organizations.	The church reaches out to others inviting them to life in
Jesus Christ.  It is a congregation that is one of the most multicultural I
have seen, with people from many, many countries in the membership." 

She said of her work as executive minister: "One of the highest privileges I
have had in my ministry has been serving in this position....  I love our
commitment to missions close to home and in faraway nations, our efforts to
reach out to new people who come to Massachusetts and our commitment to the
spiritual renewal of our churches and to peace and justice for all....	It
has been rewarding and, of course, very challenging at the same time.
Through it all, the ups and downs, the crises and blessings, I have found
God to be dependable and gracious in bestowing love and strength when it was
most needed."

"Throughout this process, my faith has grown.  It has been wonderful to feel
the Holy Spirit guiding me and to discover God's will for my life in this
new call.  I will always cherish these years with you and will continue to
hold you in my heart and to pray for the churches of TABCOM and your
continued effective witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

Spoolstra previously served American Baptist Churches USA as executive
director of the (then) Commission on the Ministry from 1984 to 1990,
providing direction and resources in support of higher standards of ministry
in churches, institutions and other American Baptist groups.

She was pastor of First Baptist Church in Swansea, Mass., from 1979 to 1984,
during which time she also chaired the Task Force on Women in Ministry for
the region and was a member of the regional Commission on the Ministry.
Prior to that was director of community outreach and education and associate
pastor at North Shore Baptist Church in Chicago.

The Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley, general secretary of American Baptist Churches
USA, expressed appreciation for Spoolstra's ministry: "It has been a great
privilege to work with Linda in many arenas of denominational life.  As a
trusted and visionary colleague in regional ministry over many years Linda
always brought a Christ-centered and congregation-focused perspective to
discussions and planning.  In Massachusetts she has provided a decisive
commitment to multicultural and multinational ministries, and, as a result,
that region is a model for effective contemporary mission.  She will bring a
great spiritual energy and creativity to her new pastorate, and we wish her
God's very blessing in that exciting new opportunity."

The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts, one of 34 regions within
American Baptist Churches USA, includes approximately 274 churches and
46,000 members.

K/2003ABNS/03ABN68	

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