History of ABCNJ

The American Baptist Churches of New Jersey (ABCNJ), founded in 1830 under its original name of the New Jersey Baptist Convention, has 285 member churches and approximately 70,000 members. Our oldest congregation has been in continuous existence since 1688. ABCNJ is one of thirty-four regions of the American Baptist Churches USA and a member of the New Jersey Council of Churches. The annual budget of the organization is approximately $1,400,000, with Camp Lebanon’s budget representing approximately 30% of the total. Financial audits are prepared annually.

Today, ABCNJ is an energetic multi-cultural and multi-ethnic fellowship characterized by friendship, mutual respect and cooperation. Approximately 80 churches are African-American, 47 are Latino (44 Spanish speaking, 3 are Portuguese Speaking), 21 are Haitian (French speaking), 5 are Asian (Chinese, Korean, Indian, Filipino, Burmese), and 2 are Liberian. Our region enthusiastically partners with all of our American Baptist national denominational partners and associated organizations.

The vision of ABCNJ is to serve our churches and pastors in a Christ-centered, mission-focused and loving manner. From this vision flows 4 priorities: 1) to help our churches become more healthy and faithful, 2) to help our pastors become more healthy and faithful, 3) to promote ministries and mission that are healthy and faithful, and 4) to serve as a regional ministry team in a healthy and faithful way. We seek to be the hands and feet of Christ and reach New Jersey (and beyond) through regional camping, evangelistic ministries, public mission, social action, new church planting and cross-cultural mission.

For more than 60 years, Baptist Camp Lebanon has been providing Christian growth experiences for young people and adults. It is a place where all people are able to explore and to appreciate God’s creation. Campers live in cabins, teaching them to live together and to experience the benefits of Christian community. There is regular worship and Bible study with an opportunity for commitment to Jesus Christ. One-to-one relationships with counselors reinforce Christian values. Our counselors come from all over the world, and our ministry context is thoroughly multi-cultural and racially inclusive.