wfn.org | ROBERT ROBERTS TO RETIRE/AMERICAN BAPTIST

[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 
Web: www.abc-usa.org
Richard W. Schramm, Director 
 E-mail: richard.schramm@abc-usa.org

Robert Roberts to Retire

 Dr. Robert H. Roberts, associate general secretary for 
World Mission Support of American Baptist Churches USA for 
the past nine years and a prominent denominational leader, 
pastor and speaker, will retire Jan. 31, 2000.  
 In his current position Roberts has been responsible 
for providing leadership in raising approximately $40 
million annually for American Baptist missions and programs 
through American Baptist Mission Support.  
 Among many accomplishments in stewardship ministries 
for the denomination, Roberts has led an emphasis on 
tithing.  He was involved in more than 100 tithing seminars 
across the U.S. in 1993 and has produced numerous resources 
for that focus and other areas of mission giving.  
 Prior to his work with World Mission Support Roberts 
served from 1982-1990 as executive minister of the American 
Baptist Churches of Connecticut.  Prior to that (1979-1982) 
he was executive minister of the American Baptist Churches 
of the Central Region (which includes Kansas, Oklahoma and 
Arkansas).
 Roberts' wide experience has included service as 
pastor of Braemar Baptist Church, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 
(1959-1962); First Baptist Church, Ridgefield Park, N.J. 
(1962-1966); and Flemington Baptist Church, Flemington, N.J. 
(1966-1979).
 An active leader in the Evangelistic Life Style 
denominational emphasis in the 1970s at both the national 
and regional levels, Roberts also chaired the American 
Baptist Evangelism Team.  He was a well-known spokesperson 
for the denomination's Grow By Caring program in the 1980s.
 A native of Western Canada, Roberts holds the B.A. 
degree in philosophy from the University of Alberta, the 
B.D. degree in theology from McMaster Divinity School, the 
S.T.M. degree in homiletics from Union Theological Seminary 
(New York), and Ph.D. degree in theology from New York 
University.
 He and his wife, Joan, are parents of three adult 
children and have five grandchildren.
 In acknowledging Roberts' many and varied 
contributions to American Baptist life, American Baptist 
Churches USA General Secretary Daniel E. Weiss said: "Bob 
Roberts has for many years been one of this denomination's 
most eloquent, passionate and convincing ambassadors, not 
only for stewardship ministries but for all that we do 
together in the name of Jesus Christ.  I cannot begin to 
estimate the positive effect his infectious spirit and 
pastoral concern have had in focusing all of us on service 
and stewardship--in revealing the joy that is the reward of 
the generous Christian heart.  To say he will be missed is 
an understatement, but we know that even in retirement both 
his legacy and his ongoing support will be cherished."

10/14/99
WFN1014A

 

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