Date: Thursday, May 26
Time: 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

The American Baptist Churches of New Jersey is launching the first “Communities in Action” webinar on Thursday, May 26th, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Registration is $35.00 and includes a copy of the book “Church on the Move.”

The guest presenter will be Rev. G. Travis Norvell, author of “Church on the Move: A Practical Guide for Ministry in the Community.” Rev. G. Travis Norvell is the pastor of Judson Memorial Baptist Church in Minneapolis, MN and an adjunct faculty member at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. He has served as an American Baptist pastor for 22 years in both small towns and urban churches from Athens, WV to Lincoln, RI to New Orleans and Minneapolis. He is passionate about the social gospel in the local church as the link for both social justice and church renewal. He is married to Lori Norvell and the father of Seneca, Glen and John. His claims to fame include his 14+ rhubarb plants in his yard, making every professor in seminary guffaw, and having dinner with Ted Koppel and his wife in an Amtrak dining car.

In addition to the presentation, this webinar will also include a 30-minute time for breakout rooms with local pastors/leaders/practitioners sharing their insights about what they are learning and doing as they engage with their communities. Participants can choose a breakout room by topic when registering for the event. 

Our breakout rooms will include the following action groups:
Capital City Dinner Church

Dinner Church is an open invitation for neighbors and friends to join for a meal over God’s word and conversation. Everyone is welcomed to the table at the Capital City Dinner Church. It is a place where neighbors gather to share a warm meal amidst the love of Christ, and to witness the Holy Spirit bless, heal and unite God’s people.  

Facilitators: Rev. Dr. Mia Chang, Lead Pastor of NextGen Church, Windsor, NJ; Co-Chair of ABCNJ’s Communities in Action; and Rev. Calvin Powell, Pastor of First Baptist Church, Trenton, NJ; member of ABCNJ’s Communities in Action Steering Team

Lighthouse Community Center

The Lighthouse Community Center was birthed out of our desire to use our building and resources to bless our community and meet needs. Fig Leaf Thrift, a pay-as-you-can thrift shop, was the first step of the process and has been able to help those in need while also funding the other adventures like our twice-monthly free hot meals distribution (average 85-100 meals). We also partnered with another non-profit, Renaissance Village, to build a youth center that provides activities like Lego Masters and Dungeons and Dragons. 

Facilitator: Rev. Randy Van Osten, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Pitman, NJ; Co-Chair of ABCNJ’s Communities in Action

Human Trafficking

Mobilizing the church and community to protect the vulnerable from human trafficking, In His Image Justice Coalition, a non-profit organization has provided education and awareness about human trafficking to the community since 2015. Using a justice-based approach, they seek to end sex trafficking through equitable consequences for buyers and by eliminating the social acceptance of buying people. 

Facilitator: Judi Worgress, Co-Founder and President of In His Image Justice Coalition; member of First Baptist Church of Mt. Holly, NJ.

Prison Ministry

Folks in prison have often been called “the invisible community.” Rev. Osvaldo Jimenez knows how it feels to be invisible as a person who has been on both sides of the gate. Yet Osvaldo is also aware of those who visited him in prison and shared the compassion and gospel of Jesus Christ. For over 25 years, First Baptist Church has been seeing and working in prison ministry. Stop in to learn how they have engaged their community in the work of justice and human rights to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Facilitator: Rev. Osvaldo Jimenez, Co-Pastor of First Baptist Church, Morristown, NJ; member of ABCNJ’s Communities in Action Steering Team

Refugee Resettlement

During a historic worldwide refugee crisis, local churches have a unique opportunity to help rally their communities to create sponsor circles in support of refugee families (especially from Afghanistan) seeking to relocate to the U.S. Whether your congregation is already involved or if you would like to find out how to become more involved, join us as we share experiences and discover ways to respond with love and courage to our new neighbors.

Facilitator: Rev. Eric Hoheisel, ABCNJ Associate Regional Pastor

The American Baptist Churches of New Jersey is launching a new initiative: “Communities in Action.” This is a collaboration between ABCNJ’s current New Church Development and Public Mission Committees. This partnership aspires to facilitate Christian leaders in navigating the present post-Christian pluralistic society, where injustice and inequity continue to pervade while supporting one another in discovering ways to respond with love and courage. These events, activities, and resources seek to inspire, empower, and support congregations and faith groups in the work towards justice and human rights to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and be peacemakers in our world. For more information, visit www.abcnj.net/communities-in-action.