Connecticut Baptists and ABHMS work together to strengthen churches

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. (06/24/2026) — Church leaders from across Connecticut gathered on May 16 for a summit to help congregations move from working in isolation to serving together in mission. The vision for the event took shape when Rev. Dr. Harry Riggs, executive director of American Baptist Churches of Connecticut, participated in the Mission Table Summit at the American Baptist Churches USA Biennial Summit in Puerto Rico in 2023. There, regional leaders worked together to discern the tasks ahead.

Many of Connecticut's churches are historic New England congregations. Since emerging from COVID, they have faced leadership fatigue and felt a need to renew their vitality and find healthier ways to work together. Back in Connecticut, Riggs decided to implement this strategic decision-making model in his region. “I wanted to help churches become less individualistic, less competitive, more collaborative, more relational with one another,” said Riggs.

ABHMS national coordinator for Latino Ministries Rev. Abner Cotto-Bonilla (standing in background) conducts a seminar at AB Churches of Connecticut regional gathering.

At the next Annual Meeting, church leaders were invited to identify their priorities. The three that emerged were leadership, health and wellness, and beloved community. In response, the region board created a roadmap to make these priorities a reality.

American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) was a natural partner for the region in this new endeavor, and the May summit resulted from that collaboration. Rev. Dr. Marie Onwubuariri, ABHMS’ director of Intercultural Ministries, worked closely with ABC of Connecticut to plan the summit. In addition to Onwubuariri, other ABHMS staff, including Rev. Abner Cotto-Bonilla, Rev. Jennifer Stewart, Ph.D., and Rev. Dr. Brian Ellis-Gibbs, led several interactive workshops for Connecticut Baptist leaders on topics related to the three priorities identified at the annual meeting.

Rev. Ben Dubow, an organizer of the summit and executive director of Camp Wightman, said the summit brought churches together to lay the groundwork for future ministry partnerships. “The day really helped form some good relationships between congregations and between leaders,” he said. “I think it's indicative of what can happen when we come together to work together, to learn together, to grow together.”

The summit created opportunities for congregations to collaborate in mission in the future, whether through shared worship, community outreach, or joint service projects, according to Dubow. He also highlighted two ABHMS-led workshops that stood out: one on intergenerational ministry, which challenged churches to treat younger people as “the church of today,” and another on walking with immigrants, which offered practical guidance for congregations seeking to love their neighbors in today's political climate without becoming partisan.

Dubow also participates in ABHMS’ Church Starters cohort. Five members of his church plant attended the summit, underscoring the multifaceted partnership among ABHMS, ABCUSA regions, and local churches.

Gifts to ABHMS enable this type of collaboration, equipping congregations with resources, training, and relationships that strengthen ministry nationwide. Support this work at abhms.org.

By Rev. Dr. Anna Piela, ABHMS senior writer and editor of The Christian Citizen