wfn.org | AMERICAN BAPTIST NEWS FOR MARCH 10, 1998

[LEAH_MCCARTER.parti@ecunet.org (LEAH MCCARTER)]

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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@ECUNET.ORG)

______________________________________________________________________________

UPDATE: MARCH 10, 1998
____________________________________________________________________________

AMERICAN BAPTIST MISSION SUPPORT EXCEEDS 1997 GOAL;
UNITED MISSION BASICS, WORLD MISSION OFFERING GIVING INCREASE
     Praising the "great response American Baptists have made to the
goodness and grace of God," American Baptist Churches Associate
General Secretary Robert H. Roberts has noted much encouragement
about many aspects of 1997 mission giving.
     Comparing the final report of 1997 American Baptist Mission
Support to similar figures for 1996, Roberts said: "I rejoiced that
United Mission Basics increased by almost $200,000, that the World
Mission Offering increased by 11 percent, that five of nine
categories exceeded their goals, and that our total American Baptist
Mission Support is 101.3 percent of its goal."
     In 1997 ABMS totaled $38,968,050, exceeding the goal of
$38,481,000.
     Roberts noted that while overall 1997 ABMS figures were 0.3
percent below 1996, "the 1996 figures were inflated by more
than $1 million because of the generous outpouring of gifts to the
church arson fund ($767,000) and one-time church gifts ($506,000)."
     "Although the report shows a total decrease," he added, "we
actually received more than $1.1 million over 1996.  We did very
well!"
     "While rejoicing, " Roberts said, "we also are concerned about
the shortfall in America for Christ and general plateauing of most
categories over the past few years.  It is important for American
Baptists to support all areas of our common mission for Christ.  Any
mission fund below the inflation index needs our attention."

ROBERT MIDDLETON, PASTOR AND M&M BOARD LEADER, DIES
     Dr. Robert G. Middleton, longtime pastor and a leader in the
work of The Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board (M&M) for many
years, died of a heart attack March 7 in Pittsfield, Mass. 
Middleton, who was serving as interim pastor of First Baptist Church
there, was 79.
     A member of the Board of Managers of The M&M Board from 1958 to
1967, Middleton served as vice president in 1960 and president from
1961 to 1967.  M&M has established the Robert G. Middleton Memorial
Fund in his honor.
     Middleton retired in 1983 as minister of the First Baptist
Church of Birmingham, Mich.  He previously had served as pastor of
the First Baptist Church, Kansas City, Mo.; the Baptist Church of the
Evangel, Narberth, Pa.; and First Baptist Church, Haddonfield, N.J. 
He was a graduate of Colgate University and Colgate Rochester
Divinity School, and held an honorary D.D. degree from Ottawa
University. 
     He is survived by his wife, Evelyn, and sons Robert, Jeffrey
and David.  Condolences may be sent to his wife and family at 2
Christopher Terr., Saco, ME 04072. 
     A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. March 12 at Immanuel
Baptist Church, Portland, Me.

JUDSON PRESS TRADE MARKETING MANAGER RESIGNS
     Mark J. Wiragh, product manager for trade at Judson Press, has
resigned effective March 20. 
     Wiragh has been on the Judson Press staff since 1993, handling
the sale of Judson products to bookstores, cataloguers and
distributors, and working with authors in promoting their books.  He
has accepted a similar position with Rodale Press in Emmaus, Pa.
     "We are sorry to see Mark go," said Judson publisher Kristy
Arnesen Pullen, "but we wish him the best in his new position and in
the future as he and his wife anticipate the birth of their first
child."

98U310.E
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