wfn.org | ABCUSA: Walter Parrish III Resigns as MMBB Associate Executive

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

Director

American Baptist News Service (10/25/02)--Dr. Sumner M. Grant, executive
director of The Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board (MMBB), has
accepted with regrets the resignation of the Rev. Walter L. Parrish III as
MMBB's associate executive director, effective October 22, 2002. Parrish
most recently has served as the director of MMBB's initiative to provide
benefits and services to denominations and denominational groups outside the
ABCUSA. Although he plans to pursue other career opportunities, he will
continue to serve MMBB as a consultant through June 2003 to assure a smooth
transition for the affiliate groups associated with MMBB.

Parrish joined the MMBB staff in 1990 as a retirement services officer and
was appointed director of field services in 1992.  In 1995 he was named
MMBB's representative-at-large to American Baptist Churches, while
continuing to serve as member service representative for the Philadelphia
Baptist Association. Parrish was promoted to associate executive director in
1998. In his role as director of MMBB's marketing initiative, he has been
directly responsible for enrolling into the MMBB Retirement Plans the
Eastern Baptist Association of New York, Inc.; the National Baptist
Convention of America, Inc.; the Progressive National Baptist Convention,
Inc.; and the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.

A national secretary of American Baptist Churches USA, Parrish has served on
the General Executive Council since 1994.  He has been a member of the
denomination's Affirmative Action Council since 1991 and most recently was
the chief affirmative action officer. Denominational service has also
included membership on the boards of two career centers and denominational
advisory committees.

Prior to joining MMBB's staff, Parrish was pastor of the Devoe Street
Baptist Church, Brooklyn, NY.  He is a graduate of Morehouse College and
Union Theological Seminary in New York City.

Commenting on Parrish's resignation, Grant said, "I regret losing a person
of Walter's ability from our staff but support his decision to move to
another field of service.  His pioneering work building relationships
between MMBB and African American denominations will stand in our history as
a very significant accomplishment. His leadership has been evidenced in the
ABC and the wider church throughout his career, and I am confident that he
will continue to contribute greatly to the church."

02ABN153

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