wfn.org | ABCUSA: Barger to Retire as Executive Minister for ABC of Rocky Mountains

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

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 5/21/04)--The Rev. Dr.
Louise B. Barger, executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of the
Rocky Mountains since 1993, has announced her retirement, effective June 30,
2004.

Barger has led the region office in providing pastoral support, resources and
services for the approximately 99 churches and 26,000 members that comprise
ABC of the Rocky Mountains. 
	
Previously she served from 1986 to 1993 on the staff of the American Baptist
Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware, where she had been director of leader
development and involved in ministries of higher education, evangelism,
volunteer development, camping and Sunday school development and training,
among others.  During that time she also was involved nationally as a member
of Educational Ministries' Task Force on Church School Growth and the
American Baptist Higher Education Team.

Prior to that Barger held Christian education leadership positions at Third
Baptist Church in St. Louis and served on the faculty of St. Louis
University.

Barger was the 1991 recipient of Educational Ministries' Richard Hoiland
Award for service in Christian education work.

The Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley, general secretary of American Baptist Churches
USA, expressed appreciation for Barger's ministry: "In everything she does
Louise models integrity.  In an age when the reputation of clergy has come
under ever-increasing scrutiny, she has been an example of the finest ideals
of ministerial leadership."  

K/2004ABNS/04ABN66

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