wfn.org | ABCUSA: National Ministries Announces Prophetic Justice Institute

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

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 12/20/04)--National
Ministries will establish the J. Alfred Smith Sr. Prophetic Justice Institute
for the empowerment of prophetic justice advocates, in honor of Dr. J. Alfred
Smith Sr., senior pastor of Allen Temple Baptist Church, Oakland, Calif.

Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III, National Ministries' executive director,
announced the institute's establishment at a Dec. 16 breakfast gathering in
American Baptist Churches USA Mission Center in Valley Forge, Pa.

"Dr. Smith's ministry has been embracing the world for 50 years, both as a
prophet and teacher," Wright-Riggins said. "National Ministries is
establishing the institute to thank him for the influence he has had on so
many lives, including my own." The institute will teach "what it takes, what
it means to become a prophet in the name of Jesus Christ. We want to be sure
that happens in American Baptist Churches USA in the spirit of our brother
and friend Dr. Smith."

A respected leader in the Black church tradition, Smith serves as professor
of Christian Ministry at the American Baptist Seminary of the West and the
Graduate Theological Union of Berkeley and as visiting professor at Fuller
Theological Seminary. He is a past president of American Baptist Churches of
the West. 

Named one of the 15 best preachers in America by Ebony magazine, Smith and
his ministry at Allen Temple have been featured in numerous media, including
Ebony, Christianity Today, CNN, NBC's "Today Show," the Los Angeles Times and
The American Baptist magazine. He has authored more than 16 books used by
seminaries, congregations and scholars. His new book, On the Jericho Road: A
Memoir of Racial Justice, Social Action and Prophetic Ministry, has just been
published by InterVarsity Press.

Smith earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Golden Gate Seminary, a Master
of Theology degree from American Baptist Seminary of the West, a Master of
Theology degree and Bachelor of Divinity degree from the Missouri School of
Religion and a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Baptist College.

K/2004ABNS/04ABN148

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