ABHMS Board of Directors gathers in King of Prussia, celebrates ministry momentum and faithful service
VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 07/24/2026)—The Board of Directors of American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) convened June 8-9 at the Leadership and Mission Building in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, for its semiannual meeting.
Over two days, board members reflected on ministry accomplishments, received updates on major initiatives, reviewed the organization’s financial and governance work, and celebrated staff members whose decades of service have helped shape ABHMS’ witness across the United States and Puerto Rico.
The meeting marked the first gathering under the leadership of Board President Rev. Trevor Hyde, who succeeded Rev. Dr. Jamie Washam after her two terms in the role. Hyde welcomed his board colleagues and guests from ABHMS staff.
Board Vice President Rev. Janna Louie then took the podium, opening the board’s work with a devotional reflection on Bartimaeus from Mark 10. She invited participants to consider Christ’s question, “What do you want me to do for you?” and to adopt a posture of openness to God’s leading.
Celebrating connection and shared ministry
As part of a tradition that has become a hallmark of ABHMS board meetings, board members shared personal and ministry milestones from their churches, regions, and communities. Their stories reflected the diversity of ministry across the American Baptist family and underscored the importance of nurturing leaders, strengthening congregations, and creating opportunities for connection and renewal.
Those themes surfaced again in remarks by Hyde, who celebrated the success of the 2026 Space for Grace & Spiritual Caregivers Conference last April and highlighted the growing impact of ABHMS’ Church Starters Initiative. He also expressed appreciation for the board’s committees and thanked Washam for her years of leadership and service.
Following Hyde, board members focused on reports on the organization's work since the November board meeting, beginning with remarks from Executive Director Dr. Jeffrey Haggray.
Executive director reports on organizational progress
Describing the board gathering as one of his favorite events on the ABHMS calendar, Haggray said it offers an opportunity for encouragement, reflection, and renewed connection amid a time marked by division and uncertainty.
His report emphasized a season of transition and growth throughout the organization. Among the most significant developments were staffing changes that will shape ABHMS’ work in the years ahead.
Haggray announced two key retirements: longtime General Counsel Valoria Cheek, who concluded 28 years of service to ABHMS at the end of May, and Chief Development Officer Vincent Dent, whose final day is August 31 after a sabbatical. At a Monday luncheon, board members and staff honored Cheek, expressing gratitude for her leadership and contributions to the organization. During his seven-year tenure, Dent helped build a comprehensive development program that has strengthened support for ABHMS ministries and mission priorities.
Meanwhile, ABHMS continues to welcome new leadership. Haggray introduced attorney Ginger McKnight-Chavers as the new general counsel, Gavin Pellenberg as training coordinator, and Alicia Quinones as project assistant.
The executive director also reported on initiatives to strengthen the organization’s capacity for ministry. Judson Press recently launched Inspirit Press, a new author-funded imprint that expands publishing opportunities and cultivates new voices. ABHMS has successfully completed a major Salesforce migration, integrating key organizational systems and improving communication across ministries. Development of a new ABHMS website continues toward a late-June launch, and production of the 2025 annual report is nearing completion.
Taken together, these developments reflect ABHMS’ ongoing commitment to sustaining strong ministries and preparing for future opportunities.
Honoring a legacy of faithful service
That balance between honoring the past and preparing for the future was evident at Tuesday’s luncheon, when ABHMS presented the inaugural Henry L. Morehouse Legacy Awards, named for Henry L. Morehouse, an influential American Baptist leader who devoted much of his professional life to American Baptist organizations now known as ABHMS.
The June 2026 meeting of the ABHMS Board of Directors featured the first Henry L. Morehouse Legacy Awards, given to select ABHMS staff members in recognition of decates of faithful service. Pictured from left to right are Executive Director Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, award recipients Julie Thomas and Curtis Ramsey-Lucas, Board President Trevor Hyde, award recipient Laura Miraz, Board Vice President Janna Louie, and award recipients Valoria Cheek and Jennifer Dulude.
Presented as a commemoration of at least 25 years of dedicated service and faithful leadership, the award honored Valoria Cheek, Jen Dulude, Dr. Laura Miraz, Rev. Dr. Alonso Patterson, Curtis Ramsey-Lucas, Julie Thomas, and Gale Tull. Collectively, they represent more than two centuries of contributions to American Baptist ministry, spanning leadership development, communications, legal affairs, publishing, finance, administration, and mission engagement. Their work has helped sustain and strengthen ABHMS through periods of growth, transition, and change.
While the Morehouse Awards honored those who have faithfully carried on the work for decades, several reports highlighted initiatives to prepare future generations of leaders for ministry.
Grant-funded initiatives continue to expand
National Coordinator for Latino Ministries Rev. Abner Cotto-Bonilla provided an update on Creciendo Juntos, a five-year project focused on strengthening Latino pastoral leadership and congregations. As program director, Cotto-Bonilla highlighted educational offerings such as Finanzas y Fe and leadership-development experiences that equip both emerging and established leaders for ministry in increasingly diverse communities. He also noted that the project recently received a $300,000 supplemental grant to expand its reach and effectiveness.
Rev. Dr. Marie Onwubuariri, director of Intercultural Ministries, shared updates on the Nurturing Children Initiative, which equips churches, parents, caregivers, and ministry leaders to nurture children’s spiritual development by intentionally creating intergenerational worship environments that encourage children to lead, participate, and share their gifts. In her presentation, Onwubuariri described a successful Little Faith Gathering in February and announced the upcoming formation of a second cohort of participating congregations.
Together, these programs reflect ABHMS’ continuing investment in leadership formation, intercultural ministry, congregational vitality, and the spiritual development of future generations.
Church Starters Initiative gains momentum
The board also received an update from Rev. Dr. Wallace Smith, program facilitator of the Church Starters Initiative (CSI), an ABHMS-funded effort that supports emerging pastors and prospective church planters through mentoring, coaching, and shared learning.
The inaugural cohort includes 12 participants from nine congregations across seven American Baptist regions. Smith reported that planning is underway for a second cohort, which could launch later this year or in early 2027.
With support from the initiative, several in the cohort attended the 2026 Space for Grace & Spiritual Caregivers Conference, strengthening relationships among emerging leaders across the denomination.
The CSI manifests ABHMS’ ongoing effort to identify, encourage, and equip leaders for ministry in changing contexts, while helping congregations envision new possibilities for mission and growth.
Reflecting on Space for Grace
Board members also received a review of the 2026 Space for Grace & Spiritual Caregivers Conference from Rev. Rebecca Irwin Diehl, Ph.D., director of the ABHMS Center for Continuous Learning. She reported strong participation in the three-day April event in Cleveland. Attendees embraced the conference theme, “Storytelling: Discovering Its Power for Faith Leaders Today,” and responded enthusiastically to programming that explored the roles of narrative, testimony, memory, and imagination in ministry.
Board members shared positive impressions of the conference as a space for worship, learning, fellowship, and renewal. They particularly appreciated opportunities to build relationships across ministry settings and to engage with creative approaches to faith leadership.
The board also received an early look at preparations for the next conference, set to convene in King of Prussia in April 2028.
Financial stewardship and governance
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Clifton Strain presented the treasurer’s report, providing an overview of organizational finances, investment performance, and long-term planning.
Committee reports underscored ABHMS’ commitment to accountability, transparency, and responsible stewardship. Board members received updates from the Governance, Finance, Audit, and World Relief committees.
The Audit Committee reported a successful independent audit with no significant findings. Board members also reviewed the ongoing work of Resources for Good and the World Relief Committee, including grantmaking supported by One Great Hour of Sharing and other mission funds.
The board approved funding for repairs at Murrow Indian Children’s Home in Muskogee, Oklahoma, reaffirming ABHMS’ longstanding commitment to ministries serving Indigenous communities.
Strain also highlighted the continued strength of the Common Investment Fund and reviewed organizational efforts to steward resources in support of ABHMS’ mission priorities.
Looking ahead
Following a report from Special Director Rev. Dr. Margareth Valui of American Baptist Churches USA, who shared observations about opportunities and challenges facing congregations across the denomination, the board reviewed plans for the 2027 Biennial Mission Summit in Rochester, New York, and noted upcoming board meetings and major ABHMS gatherings.
The June gathering offered board members an opportunity to celebrate ministry accomplishments, consider emerging challenges, and reaffirm ABHMS' commitment to its mission. The meeting ended with a moment of worship, providing a fitting moment of reflection, and as the board members departed, they carried forward both gratitude for the work already accomplished and anticipation for what lies ahead.
About American Baptist Home Mission Societies
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. To learn more, visit abhms.org.
About American Baptist Churches USA
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.