wfn.org | ABCUSA: Dallas West, Former Executive Minister, Dies

["BROWN, Matthew" <Matthew.Brown@abc-usa.org>]

VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS)-The Rev. Dr. Dallas J. West, executive minister
of the Indiana Baptist Convention for 30 years, died Dec. 1.  He was 86.
West was named executive minister for the Indiana Baptist Convention
(now American Baptist Churches of Indiana and Kentucky) in 1955.  He
directed all missional, administrative, pastoral and financial
ministries that served the region's 400 churches.  He also was director
of World Mission Support for the region.

West was a member of numerous American national organizations, including
the General Staff Council, and was on the board of the Edna Martin
Christian Center in Indianapolis.  He also was active in American
Baptist Campus Ministries at several Indiana colleges.

Prior to his regional and national leadership, West held pastorates in
Gosport, Shelbyville and Evansville, Ind.

He was a worldwide traveler and participated in mission tours in Europe,
Asia and Africa.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. today at First Baptist Church
in Indianapolis.

Condolences may be sent to his wife, Elna West, at 4225 Brown Rd.,
Indianapolis, IN 46226.  Memorial contributions may be made to The
Dallas and Elna I. West Scholarship Fund at Franklin College, 101
Branigin Blvd., Franklin, IN 46131-2623.

"Dallas West was a model of dedication on so many levels of American
Baptist life," said the Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley, General Secretary of
American Baptist Churches USA. "His support and nurturing of hundreds of
congregations in Indiana over 30 years enabled those churches to provide
a powerful witness for Jesus Christ.  He also was a valued and cherished
colleague for national American Baptist leaders, and brought to all he
did wisdom, compassion and a deep commitment to American Baptist
ministry."

Matthew Brown
Webmaster
Office of the General Secretary
American Baptist Churches USA
610-768-2159 Phone
610.768.2309 Fax
www.abcusamissions.org

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