wfn.org | ABCUSA: Thompson Resigns as Executive Minister of Metro Chicago

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

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 1/21/05)--The Rev. Dr.
Leonard Thompson Sr., executive minister of the American Baptist
Churches of Metro Chicago since July 2002, resigned effective Jan. 11,
2005.

Thompson previously served as associate executive minister for regional
outreach with the Philadelphia Baptist Association, where he coordinated
home mission ministry and served as area minister for a number of
congregations.

He has held pastorates at four congregations: Zion Baptist Church,
Cincinnati, Ohio; Union Baptist Church, Hartford, Conn.; Galilee Baptist
Church, Philadelphia, Pa; and Wayland Memorial Baptist Church,
Philadelphia, Pa.

He also has served as dean of students and director of evening school at
Manna Bible Institute and as adjunct faculty at the Center for Urban
Theological Studies.

"Individuals and churches within Metro Chicago have been blessed by
Len's presence in times of need," said the Rev. Jesse M. Brown,
president of American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago.  "We celebrate
Len's gifts for ministry, his devotion to Christ and his service to the
wider church.	We will build upon the stones laid and tend the seeds
planted or watered during his years with us.  We pray the same for his
ministry and all those he serves in the future."

The ABC of Metro Chicago, one of 35 regions within American Baptist
Churches USA, includes approximately 67 churches and 18,350 members.

K/2005ABNS/05ABN11

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