ABHMS celebrates 2026 Merit Awards for American Baptist spiritual caregivers
VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 02/18/2026)—American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) announces the recipients of the 2026 Merit Awards, a national recognition of American Baptist chaplains, pastoral counselors, and specialized ministers whose ministries reflect faithful presence, ethical integrity, and compassionate leadership.
Presented by the Office of the Ecclesiastical Endorser, these awards honor individuals whose exceptional service has meaningfully affected the well-being of individuals, families, and communities across diverse contexts, including healthcare, the military, correctional institutions, counseling settings, and denominational leadership.
“Celebrating these achievements is essential because of the vital role spiritual care plays in promoting holistic well-being,” said Rev. Dr. Patricia Murphy, BCC, ecclesiastical endorser and director of spiritual caregivers at ABHMS. “We are affirming the profound difference spiritual care professionals make, especially during times of illness, loss, transition, and growth.”
Award Winners
Ch. Lt. Kwee Say, USN, will receive the Lorraine K. Potter Military Chaplaincy Merit Award, which recognizes exemplary pastoral and spiritual care within the United States military chaplaincy corps.
Rev. William “Bill” Davis, M.Div., BCC, LCSW, will receive the Paul W. Strickland Institutional Chaplaincy Merit Award, affirming compassionate and effective ministry in institutional settings, including hospitals, correctional facilities, colleges, hospice agencies and Veterans Administration contexts.
Rev. Patricia Wilson-Cone, Ph.D., D.Min., PC, RBCC, will receive the Carolyn M. Piper Pastoral Counseling Merit Award, honoring sustained excellence in the ministry of pastoral counseling.
Rev. Jeffrey Garland, D.Min., Ed.S., MFT, BCC, will receive the American Baptist National Network Leadership Merit Award, celebrating senior leadership among specialized ministers who equip and empower others for faithful and effective spiritual care.
Rev. Janet McCormack, D.Min., APC, RBCC, ACPE/CE, AAPC/PEC, will receive the John J. “Jack” Gleason Ecclesiastical Endorser Award, a newly established distinction recognizing outstanding leadership in ecclesiastical endorsement and steadfast advocacy for chaplaincy and specialized ministries.
The awards will be presented formally during the Spiritual Caregivers Luncheon on April 22, 2026, during the Space for Grace & Spiritual Caregivers Conference scheduled April 21–23 in Cleveland, Ohio.
The Nomination Committee expresses gratitude for the many nominations received and for those who took time to lift up colleagues whose ministries embody compassion, professional excellence, and enduring commitment.
Attend the 2026 Space for Grace & Spiritual Caregivers Conference and congratulate the 2026 award recipients in person. Learn more and register for the event and luncheon here. You may also extend congratulations to the honorees by emailing endorsements@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.
