wfn.org | ABCUSA: Kearns to Leave as Office of Communication Media

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

Assistant

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 9/26/05)--Christopher
Kearns, media assistant in the Office of Communication of American
Baptist Churches since 2000, will leave that position Oct. 31 as the
Office of the General Secretary begins a reorganization focused on
mission development.

Kearns has provided important multimedia and technological support for
the Office of Communication and Associate Director David Chandler, as
well as for many other organizations within American Baptist Churches
USA.  In recent years he has taken on increasing responsibilities for
maintaining the denomination's Web site--www.abc-usa.org. Over a year
ago Kearns took on the responsibilities of Webmaster for the site. He
has been the primary editor of video programs and has had the daunting
job of editing and processing media for most of the office's
electronically based media products, including the Web, video,
photography and audio.

Chandler commended Kearns's work: "Chris has shown admirable dedication
to his work with the Office of Communication. He has kept us up-to-date
on the latest advancements in communication technology. He regularly
provided solutions to the technological challenges that our office has
faced and gave daily assistance to colleagues needing technical help. He
kept numerous projects on track while dealing with frequent
interruptions with a true spirit of service. He will be missed greatly."

Deputy General Secretary for Communication Richard Schramm, who is
director of the Office of Communication, also praised his contributions:
"Chris has been a great colleague, and one appreciated by so many people
in Valley Forge and beyond for his expertise and his cooperative spirit.
He has contributed much in time and talent to our communication efforts
in service to this denomination."

American Baptist Churches USA General Secretary the Rev. Dr. A. Roy
Medley noted that the restructuring of the Office of the General
Secretary "comes as the result of the recommendations of the consulting
firm McConkey-Johnston, which has produced a new ministry configuration
to be called Mission and Resource Development. In the new configuration,
World Mission Support and Communication are being combined into one unit
for maximum synergy and reinforcement of each other's efforts.	This has
resulted in a change of positions to maximize the use of electronic
media/web as our primary communications tool."

"We've benefited greatly both from Chris Kearns's technological skills
and his ready willingness to provide that support at any time," Medley
said.  "He has been a valued colleague, and we will miss his fine spirit
and his communication gifts that have served us so well."

Chandler and Schramm also will be leaving the staff Oct. 31 as the
restructuring begins.

K/2005ABNS/05ABN107

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