wfn.org | ABCUSA: Donna Anderson, Former International Ministries Associate

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Executive Director and American Baptist Women's Ministries Executive
Director, Dies

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 12/27/03)--Donna Anderson,
former associate executive director and director of missionary/church
relations for American Baptist International Ministries and a former
executive director of American Baptist Women's Ministries, died Dec. 26
after a long illness.

She had resigned this past March 31 for health reasons.

Anderson joined the staff of International Ministries in October 1993 as
director of the Overseas Division, supervising the work of area directors
and the recruitment office, working with partner conventions in 24 countries
and serving on various denominational and ecumenical committees.  During her
tenure International Ministries was able to increase the number of
missionaries and overseas partners and expand the pastoral care ministry to
missionaries and their families.  When the Go Global strategic plan was
adopted by International Ministries Anderson became team leader of mission
personnel.  More recently she assumed responsibility for missionary/church
relations.

 From 1989 to 1993 she served as executive director of American Baptist
Women's Ministries.

In 1976 she and her husband, David Anderson, were commissioned as
missionaries of American Baptist National Ministries, working among Native
Americans at the Tahoe Indian Parish in western Nevada.

She later served as minister of missions and stewardship education for
American Baptist Churches of the West, and then became associate director
and director of stewardship services for American Baptist World Mission
Support.

Anderson held a master's degree in home economics education from California
State University. She worked as a public school teacher before beginning a
team ministry with her husband at Arbuckle Community Baptist Church,
Arbuckle, Calif.

"Donna's example of courage and dependence upon God in her long struggle
with cancer has been an inspiration to all of us who have served with her,"
said American Baptist Churches USA General Secretary the Rev. Dr. A. Roy
Medley.  "Those same qualities," he said, "have characterized her leadership
in American Baptist Churches throughout the years.  Her many-faceted
contributions will continue to bear fruit in the years ahead and will serve
as a continuing testimony of her devotion to Christ and American Baptist
Churches USA. We now pray that God's healing comfort and consolation will
strengthen her husband and family in this difficult time of loss."

Anderson is survived by her husband, David; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roy
Lippert of Fresno, Calif.; and a brother. She was a member of Exton
Community Baptist Church, Exton, Pa.  Memorial gifts may be sent directly to
the American Baptist Assembly/Green Lake Conference Center, Green Lake, Wis.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time. Expressions of sympathy
may be sent to the family at 10607 Valley Forge Circle, King of Prussia, PA
19406-1126.

K/2003ABNS/03ABN63

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA x2077
/ (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org