wfn.org | ABCUSA: Wright-Riggins Honored by AB Seminary of the West

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

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 5/31/05)--American
Baptist Seminary of the West (ABSW), Berkeley, Calif., awarded an
honorary Doctor of Divinity degree to National Ministries' Executive
Director the Rev. Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III at its May 21
commencement ceremony.

Wright-Riggins, an ABSW alumnus, received the honor on the 30th
anniversary of his ordination and graduation from the seminary with a
Master of Divinity degree.

When he bestowed the degree, Dr. Keith Russell, ABSW president, said
Wright-Riggins "has distinguished himself as a pastoral, community and
denominational leader," leading the work of National Ministries with "a
keen sense of passion and a sharpened sense of vision." He continued:
"Dr. Wright-Riggins is a dramatic example of the commitment of ABSW to
learn to live with diversity and to make diversity a sign of the reign
of God."

The honor, said Wright-Riggins, is "an affirmation and encouragement of
the mission of National Ministries." Also, the event is significant "as
a re-commissioning to the values and vision of ABSW and the call for me
to be more faithful in living those out, ever fruitful in pursuit of
that vision."

Alderson-Broaddus College, Philippi, W.Va., awarded Wright-Riggins the
Doctor of Divinity degree in 2004, and he was awarded a Doctor of Humane
Letters in 1994 by Benedict College, Columbia, S.C. He also holds an
earned Doctor of Ministry degree from The Samuel DeWitt Proctor School
of Theology, Virginia Union University, Richmond, Va., and a Bachelor of
Arts degree in comparative religions from California State University,
Fullerton, Calif.

Wright-Riggins has served as pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church and
Garden of Gethsemane Baptist Church, both in Los Angeles, Calif. He was
elected executive director of National Ministries in 1991.

K/2005ABNS/05ABN50

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richard.schramm@abc-usa.org