American Baptist Home Mission Societies, American Baptist Extension Corporation and American Baptist Women’s Ministries prepare for relocation
VALLEY FORGE, PA (8/8/18)—The American Baptist Extension Corporation (ABEC), American Baptist Women’s Ministries (ABWM) and American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS)—including ABHMS’ publishing ministry Judson Press—will relocate their King of Prussia, Pa., operations from the American Baptist Mission Center at 588 N. Gulph Rd. to 1075 First Avenue August 21-24.
Offices at 1075 First Avenue are planned to open August 27.
During the relocation dates, accessibility to staff and the availability of resources may not be as immediate as usual. However, throughout the moving process, ABEC will continue to respond to the needs of investors and borrowers, and Judson Press will be working to provide customers with resources such as “The Secret Place” devotional guide, “Journeys” curriculum and Christian books on many topics.
Judson Press customers may order products by calling the Judson toll-free number (800.458.3766), by visiting www.judsonpress.com or by using FAX (610.768.2107). As usual, payments for products may be sent to Judson Press, Lock Box 4385, P.O. Box 95000, Philadelphia, PA 19195-4385.
“As the date quickly approaches for ABHMS’ relocation to our new center of mission, the sense of mindfulness and reverence regarding the historic significance of the journey we’re embarking on increases among our staff,” says ABHMS Executive Director Dr. Jeffrey Haggray. “Since 1962, the ABC Mission Center at 588 North Gulph Road has served as basecamp for multiple national partners, and now we will move into a new space with no less dedication and commitment to mission in America than those who journeyed before us.”
Staff of the three American Baptist mission organizations met in July with representatives of the architectural design and planning firm Gensler—which led the renovation of the building these mission organizations will soon call home—to learn about the design concept of the new workspace and get updates about the renovation process.
Commenting on the architects’ work, Haggray says, “This newly renovated space is a place of tremendous beauty and innovation. The designers have creatively woven together woods, metals, glass, fabrics, colors and light to realize our values around collaboration, cooperation, hospitality, productivity, technology and efficiency; Gensler’s dedication to this project has sanctified the space and made it sacred.”
“ABEC is looking forward to being in its newly renovated office space,” says Executive Director Valoria Cheek. “It will be a space for some of the traditional work of meetings and daily practice, but it will also afford our staff the opportunity to rub shoulders a bit more with colleagues across organizations so we can collaborate—planning mission work we can accomplish together, sharing in learning sessions internally and externally, and thinking creatively—to use the new space to enhance ABEC’s ministry to churches and partners across the United States and Puerto Rico.”
ABWM Executive Director the Rev. Gina Jacobs-Strain says, “In the life of American Baptist Women’s Ministries, and our denomination, this move is both historic and exciting. We are optimistic that our new space will enable us to work more closely with our constituency, providing new ways to live and respond to our mission and vision of engaging and empowering women, young women and girls to be leaders in churches and communities locally and globally. We look forward to more opportunities to collaborate with denominational partners and initiate new relationships with the local community as we maximize the use of our new space and technology.”
American Baptist Women’s Ministries is a Christ-centered ministry with a commitment to encourage and empower women and girls to serve God.
The American Baptist Extension Corporation was founded in 1959 to form a pool of invested funds to help build churches. Since then, churches financed through ABEC have prospered across the United States and Puerto Rico—by 2014, loans totaling more than $100 million had helped strengthen more than 1,600 churches for mission and ministry.
American Baptist Home Mission Societies partners with American Baptists to promote Christian faith, cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and bring healing and transformation to communities across the United States and Puerto Rico.
