wfn.org | ABCUSA: Capital Campaign Feasibility Study Underway

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

American Baptist News Service (10/14/02)--As he begins new responsibilities
as director of campaign readiness for American Baptist Churches USA, Robert
J. Crandall said he is "excited at the opportunity to lay the groundwork for
what could be the most important American Baptist campaign for impacting the
world by reaching others in the name of Christ."

Crandall, who served as associate general secretary for World Mission
Support from February 2000 until Sept. 30, 2002, will be instrumental in
beginning the early steps of donor discovery and research, preparing records
and computer information, and setting up a campaign office.

"When one thinks about starting 1,010 new churches and reaching 1,000,010
new Christians, that alone is exciting," Crandall said. "As part of this
potential campaign there would be support for church starts and the training
of the pastoral leadership and much more.  This also is our opportunity to
reach out through our international mission work with new missionaries and
training as well as to build a solid base for the future to continue
evangelizing and discipleship training through Educational Ministries." 

He noted that that through the consulting firm of Skystone Ryan,
headquartered in Cincinnati, a feasibility study has begun to determine "if
the proposed plans meet the vision that God has given to the people."
Crandall will assist Skystone Ryan to set the stage for a campaign if the
feasibility study confirms its viability.  He will be working "to build
donor lists and conduct related research, contact potential donors to inform
them of the potential campaign, set in place a computer plan for the
campaign, develop campaign policy, create the early stages of a campaign
design, set up a campaign office, plan for staffing and space needs, and
work with the regions and local churches to facilitate a campaign being
ready to start immediately if recommended and approved."  

Among other components to be considered for the campaign is support for
regions and local churches as they consider approaches and strategies for
their own campaigns.
  
Plans for a national campaign will take shape as the results of the
feasibility study are known.  It is anticipated that the results and
recommendations related to a campaign will be brought to the June 2003
American Baptist Churches USA General Board meeting for consideration.	

Crandall has called upon "all American Baptists to be in prayer for God's
leading in this new venture."

"Through NEW LIFE 2010 God gave American Baptist Churches USA a tremendous
vision for expanding our work and mission," said General Secretary the Rev.
Dr. A. Roy Medley.  "Now God calls us to respond to that vision with all our
hearts, minds and resources to make disciples and seed new churches both
here and overseas."

02ABN142

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