wfn.org | ABCUSA: Swain Named Executive Minister for ABC of Ohio

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

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 7/20/04)--The Rev. Dr.
Lawrence O. Swain, executive minister of the Pittsburgh Baptist Association
for the past six years, has been named executive minister of the American
Baptist Churches of Ohio.

The Rev. Dr. Robert H. Roberts has been serving as interim executive minister
for ABC of Ohio since the Rev. Dr. C. Jeff Woods resigned as executive
minister in July 2003 to become American Baptist Churches USA associate
general secretary for Regional Ministries. 

Prior to his work in Pittsburgh Swain served American Baptist Churches of
Ohio from 1995-1998 as an area minister, in which position he was responsible
for assisting local congregations and pastors, promoting American Baptist
missions, and training leaders, among other responsibilities. 

Swain has held local church leadership responsibilities. As pastor of Allison
Avenue Baptist Church in Washington, Pa., from 1989-1995 he also was active
as a member of the Pittsburgh Baptist Association's Board of Directors and
Ministers Council.  Prior to that he was pastor of First Baptist Church of El
Segundo, Calif., from 1981-1989 and director of youth at Chevy Chase Baptist
Church in Glendale, Calif., while he was in seminary.

He holds a B.A. degree (history) from California State University/Northridge,
an M.Div. degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a D.Min. degree from
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

Swain and his wife, Linda, have a son, Matthew, and a daughter, Elizabeth.

"Larry Swain has brought Christ-centered commitment, integrity and pastoral
leadership to his ministry at the local church and regional level of our
denomination," said American Baptist Churches USA General Secretary the Rev.
Dr. A. Roy Medley. "As executive minister in Pittsburgh he has led churches
with wisdom and pastoral care.	He leaves in place there a vision for
churches as missional bodies that will continue to produce results for God's
Kingdom.  Now his wisdom, creativity and compassion will be well utilized in
his work with American Baptists in Ohio, as he supports and strengthens the
mission of congregations seeking to serve their Lord." 

The American Baptist Churches of Ohio, one of 35 regions within American
Baptist Churches USA, includes approximately 293 churches and 77,000 members.

K/2004ABNS/04ABN84

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