National Treasure Awards bestowed on three distinguished American Baptist leaders at Space for Grace 2026
VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 06/01/2026)—American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) honored three widely admired leaders of the American Baptist family with National Treasure Awards during the Space for Grace & Spiritual Caregivers Conference, held April 21-23 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Presented by Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, executive director of ABHMS, the awards recognized Dr. Susan E. Gillies, Rev. Dr. Donald Ng, and Rev. Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III for their lifelong leadership, service, and faithful witness.
ABHMS established the National Treasure Award to honor individuals, congregations, and institutions whose influence has strengthened Christian faith, cultivated leaders and disciples, and advanced healing and transformation in communities. The inaugural award was presented in 2024 to Dr. Tony McNeill, an internationally respected musician and educator. McNeill served as musical director and worship leader for the 2024 and 2026 Space for Grace conferences.
Although their ministries have taken different forms, Gillies, Ng, and Wright-Riggins share a common legacy. Each has devoted decades to strengthening the church and helping others answer God’s call. Each has also broken new ground, becoming a “first” in roles that opened doors for those who followed.
Susan E. Gillies
Gillies was recognized for nearly three decades of leadership across American Baptist congregations, regions, and national organizations. She became the first woman to serve as interim general secretary of American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA), executive minister of American Baptist Churches of Nebraska, and deputy executive director of ABHMS when it was known as National Ministries.
During her 13 years with National Ministries and ABHMS, Gillies directed the Ministry of the Laity in the Workplace, a pioneering initiative that equipped laypeople to live out their Christian calling in their daily vocations and helped congregations reclaim the Baptist principle of the priesthood of all believers. During her decade as executive minister in Nebraska, she led the region through organizational and missional change with stability, clarity, and renewed vision. From 2015 to 2017, as ABCUSA’s interim general secretary, she led the denomination through a significant period of transition. In 2025, she received the Cora and John Sparrowk President’s Award, one of the highest honors bestowed by ABCUSA.
Donald Ng
Ng was honored for a ministry spanning pastoral leadership, Christian education, writing, and denominational service. Ordained in 1975 at First Baptist Church in Boston, he served for 17 years as senior pastor of First Chinese Baptist Church in San Francisco, a congregation founded by the American Baptist Home Mission Society in 1880. In 2014, he became the first Asian American elected president of ABCUSA.
Ng’s service has included leadership roles with MMBB Financial Services, American Baptist Foundation, and the American Baptist Historical Society, as well as two decades with ABC Educational Ministries. The author of “Asian Pacific American Youth Ministry” (Judson Press, 1988) and numerous articles has also been recognized with the Spirit of the Hill Award from Andover Newton Theological School and the Equipping Disciples Award from ABHMS.
Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III
Wright-Riggins was recognized for more than 45 years of ministry as a pastor, educator, activist, denominational executive, and public servant. As executive director of ABHMS, he guided the organization through a period of significant growth and renewal. Upon stepping down, he became the first person in the organization’s nearly two-century history to be named executive director emeritus.
Since 2017, Wright-Riggins has served as mayor of Collegeville, Pennsylvania. As the first African American and Democrat elected to that office, he has championed efforts to bridge divisions of race, religion, politics, and identity. On April 1, 2026, Ursinus College presented him with its Beloved Community Award in recognition of his work to foster inclusion and community engagement.
The latest edition of the Space for Grace & Spiritual Caregivers Conference focused on the theme “Storytelling: Discovering Its Power for Faith Leaders Today.” The National Treasure Award ceremony was held during a special storytelling event on the evening of the second day, with more than 100 conferencegoers in attendance.
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.
