wfn.org | ABCUSA: Brinson to Retire from World Mission Support Leadership Post

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

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 1/5/04)--The Rev. Dr.
Albert Paul Brinson, interim associate general secretary for World Mission
Support and a longtime American Baptist church and denominational leader,
has announced his retirement, effective April 30, 2004.

Brinson served as associate director of World Mission Support from 1991
until his appointment as interim associate general secretary in October
2002. In his work with World Mission Support he has traveled across the U.S.
as a fundraiser and bridge builder among multi-ethnic congregations within
American Baptist Churches USA. He has had responsibility for training new
ministers of Mission Support and leadership within World Mission Support
core staff. He has served as Affirmative Action officer for the Office of
the General Secretary, staff to the Denominational Inclusiveness Committee
of the American Baptist General Board, and a member of the Staff Advisory
Group to the Biennial Program Committee.

Previously Brinson was a World Mission Support field counselor for American
Baptist Churches of the South, where he was chief fundraiser related to
nearly 250 churches and American Baptist-related colleges and seminaries in
the region.

A leader in civil rights work and a colleague of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,
John Lewis and others, Brinson was active in the student movement that
involved sit-ins and acts of civil disobedience which eventually led to the
end of segregation in the South.  

Brinson was licensed and ordained at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in
Atlanta by co-pastors Martin Luther King Sr. and Martin Luther King Jr. He
served pastorates at Antioch Baptist Church, Corona, N.Y., and Bank Street
Memorial Baptist Church, Norfolk, Va.

 A popular preacher and speaker, Brinson has sought out opportunities to
dialog with seminarians and young pastors.  He has received numerous civic
and institutional honors for his work and ministry.  He holds a B.A. degree
in English and education from Morehouse College, an M.Div. degree from
Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta and a D.Min. from United
Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

American Baptist Churches USA General Secretary the Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley
commended Brinson as "a key denominational leader who has worked tirelessly
to fulfill his vision, formed in the throes of the Civil Rights Movement, of
a multi-racial, multi-ethnic denomination."

"As a fellow Georgian during the tumultuous Civil Rights era," Medley said,
"I have the profoundest respect for the personal courage displayed by him as
he helped lead the struggle against segregation.  Like others in the
forefront of the movement, Dr. Brinson's motivation was rooted in the gospel
message that 'in Christ there is no longer slave or free' but a new humanity
created by his death and resurrection.	While Dr. Brinson's ministry has
focused fruitfully for many years on developing disciples who understand
that stewardship is everything that follows saying 'yes' to Jesus, he has
served as well as one who has consistently and faithfully led American
Baptists to fulfill their potential as the beloved community."

"Al Brinson's commitment to Christ and his vital leadership in so many areas
of American Baptist life have blessed countless people in countless ways,"
Medley said. "We pray God's richest blessings for Al, Vivian and their
family as he continues to share his faith and witness in retirement."

K/2003ABNS/04ABN1

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