ABHMS Board of Directors reflects on ministry momentum, responds to ‘perilous times’
VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 07/07/2025)—The Board of Directors of American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) convened for a three-day working retreat and regular meeting June 30-July 2 in Omaha, Nebraska, prior to the Biennial Mission Summit of American Baptists Churches there July 3-6.
Although Board members and their guests enjoyed an uplifting period of learning, camaraderie, and renewal, the meeting was also influenced by the rising unrest and uncertainty overshadowing the nation. As ABHMS Executive Director Dr. Jeffrey Haggray noted in his opening remarks, “These are perilous times. Social, political, and economic storms are sweeping the country, directly affecting our American Baptist mission partners.”
Yet, Haggray displayed optimism, describing in a comprehensive report how ABHMS is poised to surmount the challenges of a fraught landscape. He characterized the organization as moving forward in “full stride” with “renewed momentum” to resource, equip, and accompany faith leaders and their communities. In the same vein, he urged the Board to remain attentive and adaptive in their spiritual and strategic leadership.
Expanding capacity
Haggray explained that ABHMS, having emerged from pandemic-era planning, is now “fully immersed in the strategic priorities we imagined” and expanding activity across all program areas. Recent staff growth evinces such commitment.
Since fall 2024, ABHMS has welcomed 13 new employees to mission units and operations. New hires include Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Clifton Strain and Controller Phil Cook; Dr. Jennifer Stewart, director of Healing and Transforming Communities, who is teamed with newcomers Dr. Brian Ellis-Gibbs and Matthew Riviera, both national coordinators. ABHMS also recently onboarded Rev. Daryn Stylianopoulos, director of the Nurturing Children Initiative, and Autumn Blalock, coordinator of that program; as well as two other program coordinators, Lianne Quaynor, and Shreya Ramachandran, dedicated to Scholarships & Emerging Leaders and the ABHMS Center for Continuous Learning, respectively. Rev. Eron Henry joined the Judson Press team as associate editor.
Strategic internal promotions have also strengthened the organization. Rev. Lisa Harris Lee transitioned from Healing & Transforming Communities to the Office of the Executive Director as director of Mission Engagement, and Rev. Dr. Rachael Lawrence was elevated to associate publisher at Judson Press.
Program and operational highlights
The Board received presentations from select program directors. Stewart provided updates on disaster response efforts, including aid distributed to communities impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. She also previewed a mission strategy under development by her unit, which emphasizes trauma-informed care and locally driven approaches to recovery and renewal efforts.
Rev. Dr. Marie Onwubuariri, director of Intercultural Ministries, reported on two new multi-year initiatives, each funded by Lilly Endowment Inc., and currently in early development. The ABHMS Nurturing Children Initiative, led by Stylianopoulos, aims to reimagine children’s ministry for a new generation. Meanwhile, “Creciendo Juntos,” directed by Rev. Abner Cotto-Bonilla, who is also ABHMS’ national coordinator for Latino Ministries, seeks to build capacity for Latino ministries through leadership development and contextual theological reflection.
The Board also viewed a video highlighting ABHMS’ strengthened ministry with Native American communities. The presentation, which featured recent efforts to equip Native churches in Oklahoma with updated technology and leadership training, manifested ABHMS’ ongoing commitment to Indigenous empowerment and historical accountability.
ABHMS’ Finance Office underwent a major leadership change last fall, with Strain and Cook guiding a smooth, efficient transition. Ongoing efforts to strengthen and improve internal systems included revamping internal budget planning with program units, resulting in clarified priorities and improved resource management. Strain has also worked toward building strong partnerships with the Board’s Finance and Audit committees and the Investment Advisory Council.
Launching the Church Starters Initiative
In a notable moment of his report, Haggray announced the formal launch of the new Church Starters Initiative (CSI). This program, which expands ABHMS’ historic commitment to emerging ministries and contextual leadership, is designed to support innovative leaders called to plant, restart, or reimagine worshiping communities.
“Utilizing ABHMS mentors and resources and a wider array of best practices in church planting,” Haggray said, “CSI will mentor, coach, and network leaders to grow personally, professionally, and spiritually as they shape their ministry vision into a viable Christ-centered mission.”
The CSI will operate as a cohort-based model featuring in-person gatherings, monthly virtual sessions, and one-on-one coaching. Rev. Dr. Wallace Smith, senior pastor of the storied First Baptist Church of Overland Park, Kansas, will guide the program as a consultant.
Equipping leaders through learning, publishing, and digital innovation
ABHMS continues to expand its impact through learning, publishing, and digital platforms that equip faith leaders across diverse contexts. Board members received an update from Dr. Rebecca Irwin-Diehl, director of the Center for Continuous Learning (CCL), on the unit’s rapidly growing slate of programs. The CCL provides interactive learning experiences that strengthen clergy and lay leaders alike, with new offerings being featured throughout the 2025 Biennial Mission Summit.
Judson Press, a 200-year-old publishing ministry, remains central to ABHMS’ mission of resourcing the church for faithful and prophetic witness. Recent months have focused on refining strategic and marketing plans, increasing visibility at national conferences with a robust bookstore presence, and implementing improved internal processes and procedures to enhance the publisher’s operational effectiveness.
Board members were also briefed on the launch of an enhanced version of ministrElife, ABHMS’ online platform for ministry professionals developed under the stewardship of the organization’s Technology Management unit. MinistrElife aims to foster deeper engagement among leaders through curated content, leadership placement tools, and interactive communities of practice. The latest version marks a significant step forward in ABHMS’ digital ministry strategy.
Member orientation, committee reports, and Mission Summit engagement
The Board of Directors welcomed Rev. Dante Quick, Ph.D.; Rev. Janna Louie; and Rev. G. Travis Norvell to their first in-person meeting as new Board members after joining the group last fall. Prior this gathering, they had received a comprehensive orientation facilitated by Board President Rev. Dr. Jamie Washam and Vice President Rev. Trevor Hyde.
In other business, the Board received committee reports. One of the highlights was from the World Relief Committee, which announced that since January 2025, ABHMS has distributed $222,750 in One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) disaster grants in response to, among others, the California wildfires, the Rainy Mountain Church fire in Oklahoma, and Hurricanes Harvey and Helene in Texas and North Carolina, respectively.
Rev. Kathryn Ray, appointed to the Board as special director for ABCUSA, provided an update on the Biennial Mission Summit in Omaha, Nebraska, being held in the days following the Board meeting. Long a proud sponsor of this event, ABHMS will have a robust presence, hosting a high-profile chaplaincy prayer breakfast and Biennial luncheon, and several workshops, as well staffing an exhibit throughout the event in collaboration with Judson Press, which will be operating a bookstore. President Washam and Executive Director Haggray will also be delivering the ABHMS Mission Highlight Report on Friday, July 4, during the afternoon plenary session.
A pastoral response
Expressing concern over recent immigration enforcement actions, the Board of Directors adopted “The Church as Refuge: A Pastoral Response to Mass Deportations,” a pastoral response to the policies of the current presidential administration that threaten vulnerable populations—immigrants and asylum-seekers, among others—with deportation. The brief letter encourages federal authorities to honor and expand the sensitive locations policy, which protects houses of worship from government intrusion. It also calls on American Baptists to speak with their elected officials and advocate for policies safeguarding families and preserving religious freedom.
From courageous public witness to sustainable capacity building, the 2025 summer meeting of the ABHMS Board of Directors underscored the organization’s mission to serve as a faithful and visionary partner in ministry during a season of urgency and opportunity. As members of the Board concluded their time together, they recommitted to stewarding ABHMS’ vision with courage, humility, and imagination.
To learn more about ABHMS and its Board of Directors, visit us online at abhms.org.
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.
American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.
