ABC-MI 2014 Annual Meeting Highlights

Delegates gathered Saturday, October 18 at the Olivet Baptist Church, Lansing for worship; fellowship; the joint Annual Business Meeting of the American Baptist Churches of Michigan (ABC-MI) and Michigan Baptist Convention (MBC); and engagement with representatives of the ABCUSA Board of International Ministries (BIM) in discerning God’s call and direction for the future of BIM. Highlights of the meeting included:

Presentation of Annual Reports: ABC-MI Executive Minister, Dr. Michael Williams, presented to the Region President, Rev. Ed Owens, the Annual Report Booklet for adoption. The delegates unanimously approved the adoption of the reports.

Click here for Annual Report Booklet

Report of the Nominating Committee: Mr. Russell Kirksey, ABC-MI Immediate Past President, presented the nominating committee’s recommended slate of officers and candidates to serve the various Region ministry teams and committees. The delegates unanimously approved the nominating committee report. New ABC-MI officers include: Rev. Ed Owens, Immediate Past President; Rev. Mary-Fair Matthews, President; Rev. Danny Langley, Vice-President; Mrs. Becky Hiebert, Secretary.

Click here for Nominees Elected

Report of the Treasurer: Mr. Edwin Ritzler, Region Treasurer, presented a Comparative Budget Report for 2013-2015. He reported projected 2014 revenues of $560,316 against a budget of $580,111. He reported 2014 projected expenses of $545,287 against a budget of $579,565. Delegates approved the financial report. Mr. Ritzler presented the proposed 2015 budget with revenues of $564,348 and expenses of $563,640. Delegates approved the proposed 2015 budget as presented.

Click here for 2015 Approved Revenue & Ministry Team Block Grants

Other Actions:  Dr. Williams recognized the ten contract consultants serving as Ministry Leadership Group peer leaders and the eight specialized contract consultants working on behalf of the ABC-MI in service to our congregations.

Click here for listing of all ABC-MI Contract Consultants

 Rev. Ed Owens was presented a plaque honoring his service as Region President for 2013-2014.  Outgoing Region Board members were recognized for their service on ABC-MI Ministry Teams and the Region Board. They included: Mr. Russell Kirksey; Rev. Elaine Thomas; Ms. Carolyn Jackson; Mrs. Sue Ellen Glover; and Mr. Gary Cunningham.  Dr. Williams recognized all new professional church leaders whom have come into the Region since the 2013 Annual Meeting.  Three new congregations were welcomed into the American Baptist Churches of Michigan. They included: Michigan Kachin Baptist Church, Grand Rapids represented by Pastor Nang Lahpai; Galilee Baptist Church, Kalamazoo represented by the Rev. Dr. Michael T. Scott and a delegation of the congregation; Lansing Chin Baptist Church represented by Mr. Lian Cung. Dr. Williams also noted the Pure Word Missionary Baptist Church of Detroit has been received into the Metro Detroit Association and a formal recommendation will be coming to the Region Board at their November meeting.

Other highlights of the day included:  The Olivet Baptist Church led delegates and visitors in an opening worship service presided by the Rev. Ed Owens. The Olivet Baptist praise team led the congregation in music; special music was provided by the Lansing Karen Baptist Church; the Olivet puppet ministry team provided inspiration using Matthew West’s song, “Do Something.” Rev. Owens brought the message, “Hearing and Heeding the Call.”

 Responding to the Call: Discerning God’s Direction for a Third Century of Mission was the 2014 Annual Gathering theme, which is also the current focus of the ABCUSA Board of International Ministries (BIM) as they discern God’s call and direction for the future of BIM. During the afternoon session, delegates had opportunity to hear reports from two BIM missionaries: Michigan native Jeni Pedzinski whom will be completing her studies at Palmer Theological Seminary and going to Thailand to serve at the New Life Center and Wayne Niles, long time ABC missionary to the Congo. Dr. Stan Slade, BIM associate executive director for programming led delegates through a process of conversation and discernment to help shape the future missioin of BIM.

The ABC-MI Executive Committee will be reviewing the evaluations delegates completed and the learning’s from the evaluations will inform the design of the 2015 Annual Meeting. --30--