wfn.org | ABCUSA: Harley Hunt, Former Ministers Council Executive Director, Dies

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

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 10/18/04)--The Rev. Harley
D. Hunt, former executive director of The Ministers Council of American
Baptist Churches USA, died yesterday after a long illness.

Hunt served as executive director of The Ministers Council from 1985 to 1993.
 In that role he provided leadership in advocacy, support, resources,
continuing education and fellowship opportunities for American Baptist
professional leaders.

Hunt had been a member of the ABCUSA General Board, the Board of Educational
Ministries and the Board of Managers of The Ministers and Missionaries
Benefit Board.

Previously he had served as pastor of Emerald Baptist Church in Eugene, Ore. 
He also had held pastorates in Washington and Utah.

His son, David Hunt, is the immediate past president of American Baptist
Churches USA.

"Harley became executive director of The Ministers Council when I was serving
as senator from Rhode Island; it was a privilege to work with him in many
capacities as our leader and advocate, and to learn from him about serving
our colleagues in the ministry through The Ministers Council," said the Rev.
Dr. Kate Harvey, executive director of The Ministers Council.  She added: "At
the Providence Biennial in June 2001 Harley delighted us all by joining us to
convene in prayer our pre-Biennial session at the First Baptist Church in
America. Subsequently he retired from his pastorate and we had hoped that he
and Karin would enjoy long and happy years beyond work together. May God
comfort Karin and their sons at this enormous loss as they remember all the
goodness of the life they shared."

The Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley, general secretary of American Baptist Churches
USA, said: "Harley continued a long Hunt family tradition of outstanding
leadership in the denomination.  He was deeply respected by us all for his
ferocious commitment to ABC life while not fearing to challenge us wherever
he felt we were failing to fulfill our potential.  We will deeply miss his
prophetic, yet pastoral, voice in our midst."

Condolences may be sent to his wife, Karin, and family at 4514 N. 12 St.,
Tacoma, WA 98406-3616.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at present.

K/2004ABNS/04ABN120

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