wfn.org | ABCUSA: CARTER TO BLACK CHURCH ED. POST

[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

CARTER NAMED TO EDUCATIONAL MINISTRIES' 
BLACK CHURCH EDUCATION POSITION
by Virginia R. Holmstrom, American Baptist Educational Ministries
 The Rev. Yvonne B. Carter of Cleveland Heights, 
Ohio, has been named to American Baptist Educational 
Ministries' Partners in Discipleship Ministries program staff 
team.  Carter, who begins her new assignment Feb. 26, 
will lead the team in developing goals and strategies for 
the support of Christian education in Black churches.  
 Carter will manage the implementation of 
strategies in Black church education and produce relevant 
resources.  She also will work with the Partners in 
Discipleship Ministries team in areas of discipleship, 
leadership and congregational transformation.
 Carter brings over 20 years of experience in 
church leadership and administration.  Since 1997 she has 
served as executive director of The Youth Empowerment 
Project, a youth-at-risk intervention ministry of the 
Cleveland Baptist Association and a Neighborhood Action 
Christian Center related to American Baptist National 
Ministries.  She oversaw its incorporation to a separate 
entity with 501 (C) status.  Previously Carter worked in 
management with United Way Services in Cleveland and 
directed evangelism and discipleship at Grace Tabernacle, 
an American Baptist congregation in Cleveland.
 A graduate of Youngstown State University, Carter 
earned an M.A. degree in Christian education from 
Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, Ohio, and is 
pursuing an M.Div. degree there.
 The Rev. Jeffrey D. Jones, program staff team 
leader, announced the appointment and noted that Carter 
will continue to reside in Cleveland Heights: "The decision 
for Yvonne to be based in northern Ohio supports the 
increasing efforts in Educational Ministries to relate more 
closely with regions and local churches.  We realize that 
we can be most effective if we are closely connected to 
regions and local congregations.  This is a concrete 
expression of that belief, underscoring the importance we 
place on building partnerships for the support of 
discipleship." 
 Jones cited similar staffing placements such as 
John Houlker, based in Connecticut to provide support to 
the five regions in New England, and Educational 
Ministries' partnership with the West Virginia Baptist 
Convention to share Rebecca Crouch's Christian education 
staff expertise. 
 "We are deeply impressed by Yvonne's 
experience, skills and spirit," said Jones.  "She will 
be an important addition to our staff team as we 
continue to partner with regions and congregations 
to support disciples who are growing in relationship 
with Christ, in giftedness and in service through 
God's mission in the world."

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