wfn.org | ABCUSA: Gil Brink, Founder of Laymen's Hour and Sparrowk Award Recipient, Dies

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

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 6/15/04)--Gilbert B. Brink,
a prominent American Baptist lay leader who was instrumental in establishing
The Laymen's Hour, a long-running radio ministry, died June 3 at age 97.

Brink and three other American Baptist men launched The Laymen's Hour, a
radio music and worship ministry of the (then) Northern Baptist Convention,
in the late 1940s.  The program aired for more than a half century and at its
peak was heard on more than 200 stations worldwide.  

Long active in lay ministry, Brink was president of Northern Baptist Men (now
American Baptist Men) from 1949 to 1953.   He was a member of First Baptist
Church of Monrovia-Arcadia, Monrovia, Calif., where he served as choir
director.

Brink was the recipient of American Baptist Churches USA Cora and John
Sparrowk President's Award in 1997.  The award recognizes an American Baptist
who "has over a period of years made an exceptional and outstanding
contribution to the life of Christ's church; and in life and service
manifests richly the fruits and gifts of the spirit." 

Memorial services were held June 10 at Atherton Baptist Homes in Alhambra,
Calif., and First Baptist Church of Monrovia-Arcadia.

K/2004ABNS/04ABN74

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