wfn.org | MIRAZ TO NEW ABC/USA POSITION

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

MIRAZ NAMED NATIONAL MINISTRIES DIRECTOR OF MISSIONARY, 
STAFF AND BOARD SERVICES 
 Laura Miraz, director of Laity Ministries for The 
American Baptist Home Mission Societies (National 
Ministries), has been named National Ministries' director of 
Missionary, Staff and Board Services, effective Oct. 1.
 In her new responsibilities Miraz will coordinate the 
Missionary, Staff and Board Services operational unit in the 
Office of the Executive Director of National Ministries.  Her 
responsibilities will include supervision of staff and board 
development, the commissioning process for American Baptist 
home missionaries, and working with employees to ensure 
conformity with quality system requirements.  She also will 
develop and recommend procedures to the newly formed 
Missionary and Staff Services Policy Team, which is charged 
with improving the efficiency and effectiveness of personnel 
processes that are consistent with the basic values of 
National Ministries.
 As director of Laity Ministries since December 1997 
Miraz has encouraged American Baptist lay persons to discover 
their God-given gifts for ministry in their daily lives in 
the workplace, community and family. In addition she has 
provided staff support for the national Macedonia Ministries 
and Ministry of the Laity in the Workplace committees.
 Prior to joining the National Ministries staff Miraz 
was employed as a certified genetic counselor and coordinator 
of the Genetic Counseling Program at New York Medical 
College-Metropolitan Hospital Medical Center, where she 
worked with a socially and culturally diverse population.  
Her duties included public education and crisis management.
 She holds a master's degree in policy and 
administration from New York Medical College; a master's 
degree in human genetics from Sarah Lawrence College; and a 
bachelor's degree from Barnard College. 
 Miraz has had extensive experience with American 
Baptist Churches USA, having served on the General Board and 
the General Board Executive Committee, and as vice president 
of the Board of International Ministries.  She is a member of 
Calvary Baptist Church in Norristown, Pa. 
 In announcing the appointment Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-
Riggins, executive director of National Ministries, said, 
"With the formation of the Missionary and Staff Services 
Policy Team, National Ministries moves into an expanded 
approach to coordinating essential human resource functions.  
Laura Miraz brings experience, people skills and creative 
envisioning to this new way of supporting missionaries, board 
members and staff as together we serve our Lord."

WFN920A

 -0-