wfn.org | ABCUSA: IM and ABC of Pacific Southwest Sign New Partnership Covenant

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

by Eleanor Lundy, American Baptist International Ministries

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 2/24/04)--International
Ministries and American Baptist Churches of the Pacific Southwest have
entered into a new covenant designed to provide more effective ministry,
resources and support to local churches engaged in cross-cultural and global
mission.

Key features of the five-year covenant include a mutually supportive prayer
network, a missionary-in-residence program within the region beginning in
June 2004, missionary partnership team development, and joint conferencing
including joint sponsorship of a Hispanic "West Coast" mission conference. 

ABC of the Pacific Southwest's minister of mission support, Steven Roblee,
will play a key role in the new agreement, serving as the initial contact in
the region for fundraising, including the cultivation of individual donors. 

"Mission in the twenty-first century requires stronger networks and
partnerships across our denomination," said the Rev. Hictor Cortez, executive
director of International Ministries. "This partnership covenant between ABC
of the Pacific Southwest and International Ministries is the first such
global mission covenant that seeks to continue to build on the Go Global
vision strategy in bringing global missions alive through the direct
participation of our local congregations."  

"Our covenant agreement with International Ministries is an important part of
the commitment by the churches of ABC of the Pacific Southwest to produce
'fully committed followers of Christ,'" said Dr. Dale Salico, the region's
executive minister. "Since 'fully committed followers' must share Christ's
passion for all the people of the world, International Ministries and its
messengers are important resources in producing disciples whose hearts reach
the world."

The ABC of the Pacific Southwest, one of 35 regions within American Baptist
Churches USA, includes 280 churches and more than 56,000 resident members.

K/2004ABNS/04ABN22 

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