wfn.org | ABCUSA: Sayre to Retire April 30 as Greater Indianapolis

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

Executive

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 1/28/05)--The Rev. Dr.
Larry D. Sayre, executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of
Greater Indianapolis since 1986, has announced his retirement, effective
April 30, 2005.

Prior to his present position Sayre served in the region as associate
executive minister of the (then) Indianapolis Baptist Association.  He
has been a member of the American Baptist Churches USA Regional
Executive Ministers Council, General Executive Council and World Mission
Support Council, among other denominational responsibilities.

He also was a program associate in American Baptist Educational
Ministries' Department of Ministry with Children and served as president
of the National Association of Christian Educators.

Previously he was active in local church ministries of education for 12
years, as a member of the staffs of Garfield Park Baptist Church,
Indianapolis; First Baptist Church, Lebanon, Ind.; First Baptist Church,
Evansville, Ind.; and Prairie Baptist Church, Prairie Village, Kans.

In announcing his retirement and reflecting on his ministry within the
region, Sayre said, "Walking with individuals through the call to
ministry to ordination have been holy moments.	Assisting congregations
in finding the very best qualified clergy leaders has brought its own
special joy.  Enabling and witnessing change take place as churches
embraced new visions, new structures, new directions and new hopes have
been far more satisfying than I could have ever imagined."

"Larry's passion for growing disciples has been the heart of his
effectiveness in ministry," said the Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley, general
secretary of American Baptist Churches USA.  "He has contributed
immeasurably to youth and young adult ministry in ABC life. We will miss
his generous spirit in our midst."

The ABC of Greater Indianapolis-which currently includes 29 churches and
approximately 7,725 members-is one of 35 regions within American Baptist
Churches USA.

K/2005ABNS/05ABN13

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