wfn.org | ABCUSA: Crandall Named Director of Campaign Readiness;

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Richard.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

Brinson Named Interim Associate General Secretary for World Mission Support

American Baptist News Service (9/13/02)--American Baptist Churches USA
General Secretary A. Roy Medley today announced staffing appointments
related to a possible major denominational capital fund campaign and the
ongoing work of World Mission Support.

The American Baptist Churches USA General Board last June voted to authorize
a feasibility study for a denomination-wide capital funds campaign for new
church planting and other priority goals.  At the same time the board
affirmed a $75,000 grant from National Ministries to the Office of the
General Secretary to hire a campaign readiness director.

In response to that commitment, Medley has named Robert J. Crandall,
associate general secretary for World Mission Support, as director of
campaign readiness.  He also appointed the Rev. Dr. Albert Paul Brinson,
associate director of World Mission Support, as interim associate general
secretary for World Mission Support.  Their new responsibilities begin Oct.
1.

As director of campaign readiness Crandall would be instrumental in
beginning the early steps of donor discovery and research, preparing records
and computer information, and setting up a campaign office.  He will be
staff to the fund counsel developing the feasibility study.

In his new responsibilities Brinson will be responsible for providing
leadership in raising approximately $42 million annually for American
Baptist missions and programs through American Baptist Mission Support.

Crandall has been associate general secretary for World Mission since
February 2000. He serves on behalf of American Baptists on the board of the
Ecumenical Stewardship Center and as a committee and commission member with
the Baptist World Alliance.  He is a member of the Association of
Fundraising Professionals and the National Council of Planned Giving, among
other organizations.

Previously Crandall was vice president for advancement for Jerusalem
University College in Israel, operating out of its North American office in
Rockford, Ill.	He also has been a fundraising consultant for American
Baptist-related Bacone College, Muskogee, Okla., and other institutions. He
served as director of major gifts at Jesuit High School in Sacramento,
Calif., from 1995-1998; director of development and later executive vice
president at Bacone College from 1991-1995; and executive director of
development at the American Baptist-related University of Sioux Falls, Sioux
Falls, S.D., from 1984-1989.

Crandall holds a B.A. degree in psychology and history from the University
of Sioux Falls and an M.A.T. in education from the University of St. Thomas,
St. Paul, Minn. 

Brinson has served as associate director of World Mission Support since
1991.  In that capacity he has traveled across the U.S. as a fundraiser and
bridge builder among multi-ethnic congregations within American Baptist
Churches USA.  He has had responsibility for training new ministers of
Mission Support and leadership within World Mission Support core staff.  He
has served as Affirmative Action officer for the Office of the General
Secretary, staff to the Denominational Inclusiveness Committee of the
American Baptist General Board, and a member of the Staff Advisory Group to
the Biennial Program Committee.

Previously Brinson was a World Mission Support field counselor for American
Baptist Churches of the South, where he was chief fundraiser related to
nearly 250 churches and American Baptist-related colleges and seminaries in
the region.

A leader in civil rights work and a colleague of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,
he has received numerous civic and institutional honors for his work and
ministry.

Brinson was licensed and ordained at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta by
co-pastors Martin Luther King Sr. and Martin Luther King Jr.  He previously
served pastorates at Antioch Baptist Church, Corona, N.Y., and Bank Street
Memorial Baptist Church, Norfolk, Va. 

He holds a B.A. degree in English and education from Morehouse College, an
M.Div. degree from Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta and a
D.Min. from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. 

In announcing the appointments, Medley said: "At this critical point in our
life as a denomination-- when we must take so many new steps to ensure our
that future ministries are relevant, effective and Christ-honoring--it is
essential to have leaders who can inspire us.  Al Brinson is one of our
great leaders, whose integrity, passion for justice and profound
understanding of Christian stewardship have brought us closer together as a
family living out our call to ministry.  Bob Crandall brings consummate
skills as a fundraiser, a thorough understanding of our denominational
family, and a true commitment to serving Christ in very effort.  

"I believe that Bob Crandall and Al Brinson will lead us capably in these
vital stewardship ministries as we move into new opportunities and new
challenges," Medley said.

02ABN135

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (610)768-2077; fax:
(610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org; richard.schramm@abc-usa.org