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ABCUSA: National Ministries' Prophetic Justice Institute Launches At Palmer Seminary With Teaching/P


From "Jayne, Andy" <Ajayne@ABC-USA.org>
Date Tue, 9 Jan 2007 14:33:13 -0500

VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 01/09/07)-"Speak Until Justice Wakes," a five-day teaching, preaching and dialogical course focusing on the biblically-based justice ministry of the Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith Sr., will be held Jan. 15-19 at American Baptist-related Palmer Theological Seminary in Wynnewood, Pa.

The event, co-sponsored by Palmer and National Ministries, American Baptist Churches USA, is the inaugural gathering of National Ministries' J. Alfred Smith Prophetic Justice Institute. It seeks "to challenge, cultivate and equip a new generation of prophets who build their ministries with firm commitment to social justice."

"Speak Until Justice Wakes" will offer morning classes, afternoon site visits to area organizations and churches active in justice ministries, dialog with community leaders and residents, and a nightly Justice Preachers' College-sermon-colloquy sessions held Tuesday through Thursday with noted preachers.

The Justice Preachers' College at Pinn Memorial Baptist Church is open to the public; services will begin at 7:00 pm.

Featured preachers will include Dr. Marvin McMickle, the Rev. Héctor Cortez, and Dr. Leslie Callahan.

Smith will lecture and be available for informal dialog during the event. Other leaders include Dr. Loida Martell-Otero, associate professor of constructive theology at Palmer; Dr. Benjamin L. Hartley, visiting assistant professor of Christian mission at Palmer; Dr. Obery M. Hendricks Jr., professor of biblical interpretation at New York Theological Seminary; and Dr. Marvin McMickle, professor of homiletics at Ashland Seminary in Cleveland and pastor of that city's historic Antioch Baptist Church.

During Smith's long tenure as senior pastor of historic Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland, Calif., he initiated a host of vital community ministries. He has been instrumental in achieving community transformation in Oakland through advocacy for children, faith-based substance abuse recovery programs, grassroots activism and concerted prayer that seeks personal and societal renewal, among other work.

Smith is the author of 20 books addressing ministry and justice issues, including the event's namesake, Speak Until Justice Wakes, published by Judson Press in 2006. He also serves as Distinguished Professor of Christian Ministry and Preaching at American Baptist Seminary of the West (ABSW) and the Graduate Theological Seminary in Berkeley., Calif. A past president of the American Baptist Churches of the West and the Progressive National Baptist Convention, as well as former acting dean at ABSW, Smith has in all his responsibilities emphasized the need for socially prophetic leadership as an essential component of vital pastoral ministry.

Additional information on the event, including specifics on participation of local churches, is available by contacting the Rev. Dr. Brenda Halliburton, national coordinator for Intercultural Ministries and Black Churches Strategist, at 800-ABC-3USA, ext. 2443, or Brenda.Halliburton@abc-usa.org.

Andrew C. Jayne American Baptist Churches, USA Mission Resource Development http://www.abc-usa.org/


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