At a specially called session of the region on October 27, 2108, the American Baptist Churches of New Jersey called the Reverend Miriam Méndez as its new Executive Minister and Senior Regional Pastor. With her election, Rev. Méndez becomes both the first woman and first Latinx to be called to this position.
Read MoreFollowing the call of the Rev. Dr. Lee B. Spitzer to the office of General Secretary of the American Baptist Churches, USA, the ABCNJ Council implemented an established succession plan and appointed me as Interim Executive Minister and Senior Regional Pastor effective June 1, 2017. The transition was swift by any account. Like in the story of Elijah in II Kings, God has acted in the "whirlwind" in the call of Dr. Spitzer as our denomination's General Secretary. But in that "whirlwind” - as God would normally do - God clarifies and discloses the divine will.
Read MoreIt is with a mixture of profound sadness, deep appreciation for the fourteen years I have had the privilege of serving as ABCNJ's Executive Minister and Senior Regional Pastor, and in anticipation of God's call upon my future, that I tender my resignation, effective May 31, 2017, in order to begin my service as the General Secretary of ABCUSA on June 1, 2017. Please forgive the brief time for transition, which is necessitated by the upcoming ABCUSA Biennial Mission Summit and other factors.
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