wfn.org | AMERICAN BAPTIST NEWS FOR NOVEMBER 1, 1996

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American Baptist News Service_____________________
Office of Communication / American Baptist Churches USA
P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851
Phone: (610)768-2077 / Fax: (610)768-2320 
Richard W. Schramm, Director (E-mail: RICH_SCHRAMM.PARTI@ECUNET.ORG)

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UPDATE: NOVEMBER 1, 1996
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o  Baptists around the world will lift up in prayer the plight of
persecuted Christians in many countries on Dec. 8, which has been
designated Baptist World Alliance Human Rights Day.  That emphasis
had been established by the BWA's General Council during its meeting
early this year in Hong Kong.  Of local concern at that meeting was
the extent of religious freedom that would be allowed when Hong Kong
reverts from the control of Great Britain to the People's Republic of
China in mid-1997.  Hong Kong's vital Christian community currently
encompasses more than 1,100 churches, including congregations of the
52,000-member Hong Kong Baptist Convention.  Convention President
Cecil Chan has noted, "No one knows or can accurately predict what
will happen after 1997, but by faith we believe the words of Jesus in
Matthew 16:18: 'Upon this rock I will build my church and the gates
of hell shall not prevail against it.'"  In many other areas
throughout the world Baptists have been subject to discrimination and
persecution.  Even in parts of Eastern Europe after the fall of
communism, Baptists and other Christians continue to be denied
genuine religious freedom--now by the powerful reestablished state
churches.  "After so many years of religious wars, after so much
bloodshed and injustice, one would think the world would have learned
that tolerance and religious freedom are basic human rights," Baptist
World Alliance General Secretary Denton Lotz noted recently.  In
calling Baptists to focus on religious liberty on Dec. 8, he urged,
"Let us defend the right of every man, woman and child to exercise
their freedom of religion!  In doing so we point to Jesus Christ, the
liberator of all humanity."  American Baptist Churches USA General
Secretary Daniel E. Weiss, who is president of the North American
Baptist Fellowship, one of six regional BWA fellowships, called for
the active participation of American Baptists in the Dec. 8 event. 
"American Baptists are the product of a tradition forged by forebears
who, because they suffered persecution, made a strong commitment to
religious freedom for all believers," he said.  "We cannot afford to
become complacent about that ideal--the painful reality is that
discrimination and persecution continue.  On Dec. 8 I hope all
American Baptists will focus their prayers and thoughts on a
situation that, through God's healing hand, can be changed.  I ask
that they join the worldwide body of Baptists in this important
moment when we will seek God's intervention."

o  Dr. Donald R. Rasmussen, pastor of Phillips Memorial Baptist
Church in Cranston, R.I., has been named executive minister of the
American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island.  Rasmussen was elected
Oct. 21 by the region's Board of Mission, which acted on a unanimous
recommendation of the Executive Minister Search Committee.  He will
begin his new responsibilities Jan. 1, succeeding Dr. Donald H.
Crosby, who retired earlier this year.  Rasmussen has led Phillips
Memorial Baptist Church since 1975.  He previously had served as
associate pastor there.  He has been active in ministries of his
region, where he has served as a member of the Board of Mission, the
Investment Committee and the Common Ground Conference Planning
Committee. Rasmussen has served American Baptist Churches USA as a
member of the General Board and its Executive Committee, and as chair
of the Board's Credentials and Caucus Committee.  He also has chaired
the Corporate Responsibility Committee of the Ministers and
Missionaries Benefit Board, and has been a member of the Board of
National Ministries, where he chaired its Social and Ethical
Responsibility in Investments Committee, among other positions. 
Rasmussen holds degrees from Houghton College (B.A.), Gordon Conwell
Theological Seminary (M.Div.), University of Scranton (M.S.), and
Andover Newton Theological School (D.Min.).  He was ordained at
Jackson Street Baptist Church in 1964.  His wife, Virginia, also has
served as a member of the American Baptist Churches USA General Board
and as a member of the Board of National Ministries, as well as
president of American Baptist Women's Ministries of Rhode Island. 
Donald and Virginia Rasmussen are the 
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parents of two grown sons, Stephen and Robert.  In announcing
Rasmussen's appointment, Dr. Robert L. Carter Jr., president of
American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island, noted, "He comes eminently
qualified by both training and experience for this task....  [We]
look forward to the many gifts that he brings under the leadership of
the Holy Spirit." The American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island, one
of 34 regions within American Baptist Churches USA, includes
approximately 76 churches and 13,500 resident members.

o  Dr. John J. Jackson, executive minister of the American Baptist
Churches of the Pacific Southwest, has announced his resignation,
effective Feb. 15, 1997.  He has indicated plans to undertake a new
church start in Carson Valley, Nev.  Jackson has served as executive
minister since January 1993.  Previously in the region he was senior
pastor of First Baptist Church in Oxnard, as well as region
president, chair of the region's Committee for New Church Development
and co-chair of its Restrategizing and Restructuring Task Force.  The
American Baptist Churches of the Pacific Southwest includes
approximately 270 churches and 57,000 resident members.

o  The Rev. William C. Cline, director of New Church
Planting/Volunteer and Professional Recruitment for American Baptist
National Ministries, has been appointed to an expanded position with
National Ministries.  On Jan. 1 Cline will assume the new position of
director of Chaplaincy, Missionary and Staff Services.  Cline, a
National Ministries commissioned home missionary, succeeds Dr. John
Gleason, who resigned in August to become Clinical Pastoral Education
supervisor at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center in New York
City.  Cline is a former Naval line officer and is recently retired
from 37 years of Naval Reserve service, 30 of those as an American
Baptist-endorsed military chaplain.  As director of Chaplaincy Cline
will act as the endorsing agent for and liaison with more than 600
American Baptist chaplains and pastoral counselors serving in the
United States and around the world as National Ministries' associated
home missionaries.  In addition to these responsibilities Cline will
work in an expanded relationship with other National Ministries home
missionary field staff, including new church planters, and also
perform a number of functions formerly located in the National
Ministries Human Relations Office.  Cline began his work in church
planting with National Ministries at the beginning of the "500 More
by '94" campaign in 1983.  Previously Cline served for more than ten
years as director of Evangelism and Social Concern for the American
Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware.  A graduate of
California Baptist Theological Seminary, Covina, Calif., Cline served
on the staff of First Baptist Church, Covina, and as pastor of Conejo
Valley Baptist Church, Thousand Oaks, Calif.  In making the
appointment, National Ministries Executive Director Dr. Aidsand F.
Wright-Riggins III said: "Bill Cline's new church planting work has
been exemplary and always characterized by a love for people and for
the Gospel.  Bill will continue our support of American Baptist home
missionaries with both skill and compassion."

o  Janet Blue, director of Human Resources for American Baptist
National Ministries, has announced her intention to retire by the end
of 1996.  Blue, who joined National Ministries' staff in 1993, has
been responsible for general human resource activities, such as
recruitment, employment, compensation, wage and salary
administration, employee relations, records and staff development. 
She has worked with both staff and National Ministries Board members
to revise the human relations policies of National Ministries. 
Immediately prior to her work with National Ministries Blue was
associate director and later acting director of Human Resources for
Grady Health Systems, Atlanta, Ga.  A graduate of the University of
North Dakota, Blue was founder and first director of the American
Brussel Sprouts School in Waterloo, Belgium, for children. 
Commenting on her service, National Ministries' Executive Director
Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III said:  "Janet has, in her gracious
and generous way, supplied National Ministries with specialized
knowledge and systems during her time with us. We'll miss her
presence among us but send her off with our congratulations for a job
well done."  

o  Popular guest speakers and the celebration of ABMen s 75th
anniversary are program elements in next summer s Baptist Men s
Conference, set for July 27-Aug. 1 at the American Baptist Assembly
in Green Lake, 
Wis.  Noted speaker, best-selling author and educator Tony Campolo
will be featured along with his wife, Peggy, who will join him in a
special presentation to be held jointly with American Baptist Women s
Ministries.  
In addition to the Campolos, special celebrations--including music,
worship and fellowship--will center around the 75th anniversary of
American Baptist Men USA.  Concurrent with the Baptist Men s
Conference will be the 
National Women s Conference and AB GIRLS Conference, both sponsored
by American Baptist Women s 
Ministries.  Scholarships are available from the American Baptist
Assembly.  Early registration, which is 
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encouraged, is $80 for men, $25 for ABBoys or ABYoungMen under 18. 
Fees will increase next spring.  For scholarship information and to
register for the Baptist Men s Conference call 1-800-558-8898.

o  The V. Carney Hargroves Prayer and Meditation Center was dedicated
Oct. 31 at the American Baptist Churches Mission Center in Valley
Forge, Pa., in a worship service attended by staff and members of the
Hargroves family.  Hargroves (1900-1986) was an internationally known
leader in local church, denominational and ecumenical ministries. 
Among other positions he was pastor of Second Baptist Church,
Germantown, Pa. (1932-1970); president of the American Baptist
Convention (1954); first chairperson of the North American Baptist
Fellowship (1965); president of the Baptist World Alliance (1970-
1975); and president of the Pennsylvania Bible Society (1976-1983). 
Attending the service were relatives of V. Carney Hargroves: Emily
Fisher, daughter; Jeannette and Arthur Taylor, daughter and son-in-
law; and Kate Fisher, granddaughter.  Also attending were family
friends from Myanmar (Burma): Ba Win, and Dim, Maan, Niang and Thang
Sukte.  The Hargroves Prayer and Meditation Center is part of the
major renovation of Mission Center space begun in 1994.

o  Ethel D. Brown, who along with her late husband, Henry, served as
an American Baptist International Ministries missionary in the
Belgian Congo (later Zaire) from 1927-1965, died Sept. 19 at age 94
in Claremont, Calif.  The Browns, who retired in 1972, worked in
evangelistic and educational ministries at a 
number of locations during their years in Zaire.

NEWS FROM AMERICAN BAPTIST-RELATED SCHOOLS

o  Dr. Arthur F. Kirk Jr., president of Keuka College in Keuka Park,
N.Y., has announced his resignation in order to assume the presidency
of Saint Leo College near Tampa, Fla., on Jan. 1, 1997.  Under Kirk's
leadership Keuka's student body has more than doubled over the past
decade and the college's endowment has increased eleven-fold.  A
major capital funds campaign, "Keuka Works: The Centennial Campaign
for Keuka College," closed in 1992 more than $2 million above its $9-
million goal.  In addition, a multi-year strategic plan, "IDEAL
2000," has been established to guide the school into the next
century.  "It has been an honor and a privilege to lead Keuka
College," Kirk said.  "Accepting the presidency of St. Leo College
was one of the most difficult decisions I have made in my
professional career.  It was possible only because I am confident
that Keukonians are united by the college's mission and vision and
guided by a strong strategic plan that produces remarkable
accomplishments...."  Keuka Board Chairman Frank P. Strong Jr.
commended Kirk for his work: "His insight, guidance and strategic
planning abilities have guided Keuka for more than a decade...his
wisdom and vision, his legacy, has permeated every aspect of the
college."  Keuka College, one of 16 colleges and universities related
to American Baptist Churches USA through Educational Ministries, has
a student body of more than 900.

o  Dr. Robert M. Franklin Jr. has been named the sixth president of
the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Ga.,
succeeding Dr. James Costen, who is retiring.  Morehouse School of
Religion, one of six seminaries constituting the Center, is related
to Educational Ministries.  Franklin currently is a program officer
in the Rights and Social Justice Program of The Ford Foundation.  He
is a former faculty member at Emory University's Candler School of
Theology and at The Divinity School (Rochester, N.Y.), among other
schools.

o  Dr. Richard V. Swindle, senior associate vice president for
University advancement at Mercer University, will begin Nov. 4 as
vice president for development and public affairs at Franklin
College, Franklin, Ind.

o  A $1.3-million project at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in
Lombard, Ill., will renovate the current academic facility and add a
three-story addition to it.  Gifts and future commitments thus far
total more than $800,000 toward the renovation.
96U111
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