wfn.org | American Baptist News Update January 27, 1998

[George Conklin <gconklin@igc.apc.org>]

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@ECUNET.ORG)

_________________________________________________________________

UPDATE: JANUARY 27, 1998
_____________________________________________________________________

RICHARD BEERS DIES; WAS FORMER MISSIONARY AND SECRETARY FOR
MISSIONARY RECRUITMENT FOR AMERICAN BAPTIST INTERNATIONAL
MINISTRIES
     The Rev. Richard G. Beers, former missionary and later sec-
retary for missionary recruitment for American Baptist International
Ministries, died Jan. 22.  He was 76.  
     Beers and his wife, Ann, served in India from 1947-1960. 
Initially involved in youth work in Assam, they later oversaw the
Christian college students' hostel and youth work in Gauhati, India. 
He was a member of the Board of Directors of Union Christian College
and of the Central Youth Committee of the National Christian Council
of India.  He served as mission secretary from 1956-1960    
     Joining the International Ministries staff in Valley Forge,
Pa., in 1960, he served for 23 years as secretary for missionary
recruitment.  From 1983 until his retirement in 1986 he held the
position of secretary for personnel development.
     In retirement he was active in the Baptist Church of
Phoenixville, Phoenixville, Pa., and in work with youth at the
Sleighton School, a facility for juvenile offenders.
     A memorial service is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, at
the Baptist Church of Phoenixville, Church and Gay Sts.,
Phoenixville, Pa.  
     Condolences may be sent to his wife, Ann, and family at 49
Carson St., Phoenixville, PA 19460.

JOHNSON APPOINTED ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
FOR NATIONAL MINISTRIES NEW CHURCH PLANTING
     The Rev. Dr. Thomas V. Johnson, pastor of First Baptist Church,
Fairmont, W.Va., has been appointed associate director of New Church
Planting for American Baptist National Ministries.  Johnson will
begin March 1 in his new position.
     Johnson will oversee and develop an intern and mentoring
program for new church planters and conduct research related to
effective models and styles of new church planting.  He will provide
pastoral support for new church planters who serve as American
Baptist home missionaries.  In addition he will oversee the data
bases and funding processes for the American Baptist Churches New
Church Planting Council.
     Johnson has been involved in American Baptist New Church
Planting efforts since the 1970s in two regions.  He served with
American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware as a member of
the New Church Development Committee and as chair of the Southwest
Area Task Force on New Church Development.   He also worked with the
American Baptist Churches of Michigan as chair of the Region Task
Force on New Church Development.
     Earlier Johnson served pastorates at First Baptist Church,
Jeannette, Pa.; First Baptist Church, Lansing, Mich.; Spinning Road
Baptist Church, Dayton, Ohio; and First Baptist Church, Steubenville,
Ohio.  He holds degrees from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and
Alderson Broaddus College in Philippi, W.Va. 
     In announcing the appointment, the Rev. David L. Laubach,
National Ministries' associate executive director for Evangelism and
Church Renewal, said Johnson "believes that new church planting is
first and foremost a ministry of hospitality.  He understands the
unique challenges faced by new church planters as they win people to
Christ and is committed to providing strong support for their
evangelistic mission."

98U127.E

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