American Baptist Churches Of The South
A Region of American Baptist Churches, USA
"Strengthening and Caring for Church Environments for Strong Ministry & Missions"
P.O. Box 47277 Windsor Mill, MD 21244-0277
Website: www.abcots.org | (443) 551-3045 - Main Line | (800) 466-9571 |
gloria@abcots.org. jmharrison@abcots.org. abcotsadmin@abcots.org. pwhite@abcots.org
WELCOME to the American Baptist Churches of the South, (ABCOTS) website. ABCOTS is a Maryland non-profit corporation associated as a covenanting Regional organization with the American Baptist Churches, U.S.A. See us in Missions, Evangelism and Denominational Work, supporting the local congregations serving the District of Columbia and 15 states throughout the southern United States. Join us in reaching the world for Christ believing and perpetuating His identity, His message and His ministry!
Resources for Honoring the Legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
As we approach Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a time to reflect on this remarkable leader's life, ministry, and vision, we are reminded of the deep connection between his Christian faith and his commitment to justice, equality, and peace. Dr. King's legacy calls us to continue the work of justice and reconciliation that Jesus modeled and that he passionately pursued. This day provides a special opportunity for churches to reflect on these themes through worship and education.
Do you have resources to share? Email ministerscouncil@abc-usa.org so we can add them to our list for a new resource section on our website.
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Staff Reflection
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven…”
(Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV)
How true this passage is, as I reflect on the past 20+ months of serving as your Program Administrator for the National Ministers Council, how time flies! Yet, God has seen fit for me to transition into the role of Interim Regional Executive Minister for the Philadelphia Baptist Association, effective January 2, 2025. Permit to share it has been my pleasure serving and working with each of you! I have learned much about the heart of this ministry, and I look forward to seeing where God will take me in the years to come. In the next few weeks, I ask for your patience and understanding as the National Leadership Team works tirelessly to make the transition a smooth one. We will need your prayers and support during this time as we continue to witness “The New Thing” God is doing in our midst. In the meantime, should you need to reach the National office, please feel free to contact Interim Program Administrator Jacki Belile, at 773-655-4357 and Ministerscouncil@abc-usa.org. May the Spirit of our Living God continue to rest upon each of you, individually and collectively until we meet again!
With a heart-filled with gratitude and great expectation,
The Reverend Dr. Valerie Andrews.
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Farewell from the Leadership Team
As we approached the end of the year, the Ministers Council Team shared a fond farewell to Rev. Dr. Valerie Andrews. She concluded her time with us as the Ministers Council Program Administrator on December 31, 2024. Over the past twenty months, Rev. Dr. Andrews has made invaluable contributions to the mission and ministry of the MInisters Council. Her pastoral heart, collaborative spirit, and dedication to building new connections have deeply enriched our ministry and we greatly appreciate the ways she has shaped our community.
Please join us in expressing your thanks and best wishes to Rev. Dr. Andrews as she begins a new chapter of ministry. As we look ahead, we are pleased to announce that the Rev. Jacki Belile, a long time leader within the Ministers Council, will step into the role of Interim Program Administrator on January 2, 2025. In January, the Ministers Council will call a search committee together and begin the discernment work of calling a new Program Administrator.
With Gratitude,
Rebecca Driscoll Mygatt
President, ABCUSA Ministers Council
In reflecting on the importance of our shared work, Matt Sturtevant, our Immediate Past President, writes, "The work that we do together—clergy serving clergy—is as important today as it was when it began 90 years ago. Thanks for all who have joined God in that work, in days past and in the days to come."
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REFLECT ON THE THRESHOLD OF A NEW YEAR...
The Growing Edge
Look well to the growing edge. All around us worlds are dying and new worlds are being born; all around us life is dying and life is being born. The fruit ripens on the tree, the roots are silently at work in the darkness of the earth against a time when there shall be new lives, fresh blossoms, green fruit. Such is the growing edge! It is the extra breath from the exhausted lung, the one more thing to try when all else has failed, the upward reach of life when weariness closes in upon all endeavor. This is the basis of hope in moments of despair, the incentive to carry on when times are out of joint and men have lost their reason, the source of confidence when worlds crash and dreams whiten into ash. The birth of a child — life’s most dramatic answer to death — this is the growing edge incarnate. Look well to the growing edge!
—Howard Thurman
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What does wise mentor Howard Thurman have to offer your reflections? What is the growing edge of your heart? Your family? Your ministries or surrounding community?
Howard Thurman was an African American theologian, philosopher, and civil rights leader whose work focused on spirituality, nonviolence, and social justice. His influential writings, including "Jesus and the Disinherited," emphasized the transformative power of love and nonviolent resistance, deeply shaping the Civil Rights Movement and inspiring future generations of activists.
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Monthly Reflection by Leadership Team Members
Sabbath Rest
by Dianthia Gilmore
My time alone, From earth’s groans. A time to reflect, Drawing inward to recollect.
Intentional slowing, To God’s heart, I am knowing. A second, hours, or day,
Perhaps weeks or months to stay. Whenever, wherever, I’ll enter today.  
Sabbath rest is to slow down, unplug, and take the necessary time to breathe, reflect, and recollect to what is good. The amount of time needed to do so varies depending on our hearts and our trust in God to meet us in our place of distress and feeling overwhelmed. I have discovered that a day at a spa, binging on a historical Netflix series, or sitting at a metro park, appreciating the wonders around me (i.e., a diamond-sparkled lake at noon), will calm the unrest in my spirit. My most enjoyable experience of ‘reconnecting’ is walking in the rain. My spirit finds solace in His Perfect Peace (Isa. 26:3-4; Phil. 4:4-8,11). Also, during disturbing times, I whisper my sacred word, “Peace.” Other times, I speak directly with acknowledgment and praise: “Lord, you are my peace.” These spiritual practices produce the spiritual calmness my soul seeks.
SABBATH-MINDED MINISTRY PROJECT LAUNCHES THIS MONTH
New Hope Baptist Church in Denver, Colorado has received a Palmer Grant award for its project “Sustainable Models for Sabbath-Minded Ministry” in 2025. The Ministers Council of American Baptist Churches - USA will serve as project partner for outreach and content development with Dr. Eugene Downing, pastor of New Hope.
The project will support ten cohorts of pastor-lay leader teams serving in small to medium churches in the central regions of the American Baptist Churches - USA, including chiefly the Rocky Mountain region and those adjacent to it. Participants will gather in virtual and in-person meetings to explore and implement “sabbath-minded ministry” shifts appropriate and achievable in their settings. Each pastor-lay team will be supported by an assigned coach or spiritual director to support the process.
Dr. Downing describes the priority for applicants serving in settings with stressed or limited resources. “We know that many ministers of color and women in ministry are experiencing the compounding effects of scarce resources, systemic burdens and trauma, especially in the toxically divided post-Covid era. We will give priority to these applications.”
Application window will open in early January. Contact ministerscouncil@abc-usa.org or edowningjr@gmail.com for more information.
SEND DUES NOW FOR 2025
VISION, INTEGRITY, PURPOSE
Our Ministers Council VISION has been Inspiring ministerial excellence for the glory of Jesus Christ since 1935. We ("ministers serving ministers") strive to equip our members for faithful INTEGRITY in God's varied ministries in this demanding and changing world.
Join us for 2025, and be on PURPOSE for excellence in such a time as this...
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GO TO:
http://www.ministerscouncil.org
and click on the “Join or Renew Membership” link located on the left side of the webpage.
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We are living in a world that is full of tension and division. We are more connected than ever and yet people are reporting some of the highest levels of loneliness. This is particularly true for those of us serving in ministerial leadership. The Ministers Council invites you to gather around the well of LIVING water for a time of nourishment, rejuvenation, and connection as we navigate this landscape together.
MORE INFORMATION & TO REGISTER
The Strength to Love - Reflections and Testimonies on Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Thursday, January 16, 2024
5pm Pacific / 6pm Mountain / 7pm Central / 8pm Eastern
Rev. Juan Ángel Gutiérrez
Rev. Dr. Naomi Mitchell
Join us for a special convening of YOUR honest reflections on the gifts MLK, Jr. gave us for faith-based resistance to injustice and the bending of the "moral arc.' What stories or texts guide you? Where do you wrestle with his work or legacy for your life or ministry? Join Rev. Dr. Naomi Mitchell, Vice-President of Ministers Council ABC-USA, and Rev. Juan Ángel Gutiérrez, Ethics professor at Universidad Sagrado Corazón, for this time of sharing and prayer.
Join Meeting by clicking here:
https://ministrelife.zoom.us/j/2954166836
Or call in by dialing: 1-312-626-6799
Meeting ID: 295 416 6836
MC CONNECTS - Monthly Gatherings for Devotions and Resource Sharing
4th Thursdays
2pm Pacific/4pm Central/5pm Eastern
Join us January 23!
Boundaries and Blessings - Lessons on Thriving from Psalm 1
Are you thriving in a particular area of your life/ministry? Do you have a story to share? We'll anchor our sharing in the wisdom of Psalm 1 (traditional text and paraphrase by Nan Merrill). We want to hear from you! Join us for this collegial gathering or send us a brief note to ministerscouncil@abc-usa.org to tell us what is going well and how God is working in your current season of ministry.
Join Meeting by clicking here:
https://ministrelife.zoom.us/j/2954166836
Or call in by dialing: 1-312-626-6799
Meeting ID: 295 416 6836
Prayers and Milestones
Compassionate God,
We come before you with heavy hearts, lifting up the victims, families, and first responders of the tragic incident on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. In the midst of chaos and sorrow, we seek your presence—comfort those who mourn, heal those who are injured, and surround all with your peace. Amen.
Loving God, As our nation gathers for a moment of transition, we ask for your guidance and peace. May those stepping into leadership be filled with wisdom, integrity, and a commitment to the well-being of all people. Help us, as a people, to embrace unity, respect, and a shared hope for the future. Grant us patience and understanding as we move forward together, with hearts open to cooperation and common purpose. Amen.
Gracious God, as we step into this new year, we ask for Your guidance and strength. Help us to walk in faith, embrace Your love, and serve others with kindness and justice. May this year bring healing where there is pain, peace where there is strife, and hope where there is despair. In all things, may we seek Your will and trust in Your goodness. Through Christ, our Savior. Amen.
O God, who revealed Your light to the world in the Christ child, open our hearts to Your presence in unexpected places. Guide us as we seek Your truth and share Your love with all people. May this Epiphany deepen our faith and strengthen our commitment to justice, peace, and hope. Through Christ, the Light of the world. Amen.
God of justice and mercy, we thank you for the life and witness of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We pray that his courage, vision, and faith will continue to inspire us as we work toward a world where all people are valued equally. Give us strength to fight against injustice, and wisdom to work for peace. May we be a reflection of Your love in the world, and may Your kindom of justice and reconciliation come on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
Do you have milestones or prayer requests to share for February? Send to Ministerscouncil@abc-usa.org. by January 26.
 
ABC Announcements
President Jimmy Carter was a humanitarian who used his considerable political and social influence to improve the quality of life for countless people. He was also a beloved Baptist leader who dedicated his public life to embodying Christian principles of sacrificial love for all people, compassion, peace-making, and integrity.
ABHMS Welcomes New Controller American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) has welcomed Phil Cook as its new controller, marking the start of an exciting chapter for both following the retirement of Alma Hazboun after a decade-long tenure in the position. With nearly 30 years of accounting experience across nonprofit and for-profit sectors, Cook brings a unique combination of expertise, faith, and unbridled enthusiasm to his role. READ MORE
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Reminders
We are committed to an exchange of chapter news, as well as announcements of personal and communal milestones and prayer requests. For inclusion in the February 2025 issue, send these to ministerscouncil@abc-usa.org by January 26.
How to reach us:
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Phone: 773-655-4357
Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday 2-5pm (CT), other times by appointment.
Stay connected
 
American Baptist Churches Of the South
Every Tuesday “Connecting ABCOTS…” A Virtual Conversation 11:00 a.m. (EST)
Meeting ID 929 6541 9729 Passcode 6Qi4WF
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May - June One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) (Funds support disaster relief)
July 14 “ABCOTS DAY” Region Offering - (Funds Received to Support ABCOTS administration)
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August - October Areas Annual Meeting
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September - October World Mission Offering (WMO) (Funds Received to Support International Ministries)
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November - December Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering (RMMO) - (Funds Thank You Gifts to MMBB Retirees)
December 23 ABCOTS Office Closed for Christmas Holiday
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2025
January 6, 2025 ABCOTS Office Re-Opens
March 22 Region Event America For Christ (all virtual)
SAVE THE DATE: May 6 - 8th, 2025 55th Annual Session of ABCOTS
Location: Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, 7237 Tuckaseegee Rd, Charlotte NC 38214.
Host Pastor Rev. Dr. Casey Kimbrough
Theme: Living For Christ, Serving This Present Age
Scripture: Acts 13:32-42
Hymn: I Am Thine, O Lord
July 13 ABCOTS Day in our Churches
If you are applying for ecclesiastical endorsement, please read this important announcement!
Dear Colleague:
Kindly note that the Office of the Ecclesiastical Endorser for American Baptist Churches USA and ABHMS is moving a critical deadline in the first quarter of 2025.
New Applications for Ecclesiastical Endorsement and Supplemental Forms for Healthcare, Military (all branches), and Correctional Chaplains will not be available for submission and processing until April 14, 2025. This means all applications for all categories of endorsement and government forms associated with chaplaincy will be processed beginning April 14, 2025.
All currently endorsed chaplains, pastoral counselors and specialized ministers who have submitted their 2024 Annual Reports will receive updated Letters of Good Standing and appropriate forms in January 2025.
If you have any questions, please contact me, Rev. Dr. Patricia Murphy, BCC, in the Office of the Ecclesiastical Endorser by phone (610-768-2050) or email (endorsements@abhms.org) no later than January 16, 2025.
Thank you, and have a blessed Christmas and New Year!
Very truly yours,
Rev. Dr. Patricia Murphy, BCC
Ecclesiastical Endorser
for American Baptist Churches USA / ABHMS
Women Wear Many Hats
https://bonsecoursrcc.org/event/women-wear-many-hats/
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February 8, 2025 @ 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Cost: $70 Sale: Take advantage of our Early bird special rate of $60 through 1/8/2025.
Through gentle interactive group conversation, guided reflections, contemplative spiritual practice of Visio Divina, and moments of solitary journal writing, retreatants will be invited to pause and notice how the Holy Spirit welcomes each individual as they are. Bring a journal for your personal writing, doodling, capturing God’s whispers. Handouts will be provided. Lunch is included. Guided by Rev. Sandra Dorsainvil.
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Everyday ABC Conversations
Join us for an Everyday ABC Conversation!
American Baptist Churches USA is happy to create space for the “Everyday ABC Conversations,” a series of dialogues around topics of interest. Each Everyday ABC Conversation begins with a presentation on the topic by two leaders associated with the subject area, followed by a time of of small group conversation in randomly assigned breakout rooms of up to 5-6 persons each. A typical discussion question might be, “What are the implications of what you have just heard for you and your congregation?” with additional relevant discussion questions for each topic. The entire conversation, including presentation, lasts approximately one hour.
Join us for upcoming Everyday ABC Conversations events: ABC Conversation Series: Harmony
Join us for a series of Everyday ABC Conversations focusing on the topic of Harmony.
Thursday, March 20, 2025.
Presenters to be announced soon!
Register Now for Thursday, March 20, 2025 Conversation
Rev. Dr. Valerie Andrews currently serves as the Senior Pastor of Eternal Life Missionary Baptist Church, a Liberian community of faith in Philadelphia. She also serves as program administrator for the Ministers Council of American Baptist Churches USA, and is serving as co-facilitator of the Engage program for the denomination, which will provide seminarians and pastors new to ABC an introduction to ABCUSA at the upcoming American Baptist Churches 2025 Biennial Mission Summit, July 3-6, 2025 in Omaha, Neb.
Rev. Dr. Jeremy Myers is the lead pastor of First Baptist Church of Seymour, Ind., where he has served since 2017. He has over 20 years of ministry experience in the local church and not-for-profit work. He has a passion for helping emerging and existing generations learn to make space for each other and caring for the under-served and marginalized.
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PASTORAL and Other Position OPENINGS
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AREA II
St. Paul’s Baptist Church, Richmond, VA is seeking a Chief Operating Officer
We invite you to consider joining our Senior Leadership Team to invest your experience and expertise towards leading a diverse set of support functions to help execute ministry, events and programs with excellence. We operate as one team, managing multiple opportunities to excite, engage and encourage our participants along every stage of their life. You could have the opportunity to work with passionate team members who possess a heart for helping, hands for problem solving and a mind for fostering collaboration & partnership, all geared towards growing people gracefully.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is responsible for delivering effective and efficient business solutions, in support of executing ministry with excellence. This executive level role contributes to the strategy, vision and operating plans that ensure organizational viability. The COO works collaboratively with other members of the Senior Leadership Team to develop strategy, align operations, motivate people, build effective infrastructure and model a culture reflective of the St. Paul’s Baptist Church (SPBC) values. The role has a broad scope, with accountability for: Strategic Planning, Compliance / Project / Risk Management, Communication and People / Team Leadership. Functional leadership may include, but not limited to: Administrative Services, Asset Protection / Security, Retail Services (BookStore/ReCharge and Culinary), Facilities Management, Technology Services, Communications and Transportation.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE:
An ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:
· Exceptional in leading diverse teams of people, including front-line managers and experienced individual leaders
· Exceptional ability to engage in active listening, innovation and solution building, while collaborating with peers, direct reports, other staff, and executives to achieve success.
· Excellent oral and written communication skills
· Confidence and competence in leading self and others through change
· Ability to facilitate, lead and teach diverse groups of people, while maintaining healthy relationships
· Able to manage multiple competing priorities in a complex, ever-changing environment
· Confident and assertive in facilitating problem solving in a timely manner
· Effective in holding self and others accountable, demonstrates integrity in meeting commitments and fulfilling responsibilities
· Able to build effective teams that bring individual perspectives together to reach shared goal and organizational purpose / mission / vision
· Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, Decision Science and/or an equivalent combination of experience and expertise
· Minimum of 10 years coaching, leading and influencing people
· Minimum of 10 years leading multiple functions (administration, operations, etc.) and delivering on performance expectations, in a fast-paced ever-changing environment
· Demonstrated success in navigating business infrastructure, church operations and government regulations to drive organizational capability
· Proven track record in supporting large scale changes: Process Improvement Projects, System Implementation, Technology Roadmap, etc.
· Agreement with and adherence to Saint Paul’s Baptist Church polity regarding membership, leadership, and service
· Experience, passion, sense of call and relevant spiritual gifts will enhance formal education
The Senior Pastor of St. Paul’s Baptist Church serves as the Chief Dreamer and CEO for the pastoral, finance and operations / administrative staff. The COO reports to the Senior Pastor. Visit our page to learn more about the organization www.myspbc.org .
HOW TO APPLY.
Interested candidate should send the following details via the platform
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Resume that includes your education, licenses and certifications, relevant ministerial experience, publications, honors, and awards -3 page maximum
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Cover Letter that describes your approach to leading people, in accordance to how God has gifted you – 2 page maximum
Please submit the items via one of the following digital recruiting platforms:
SPBC COO on ADP Career Center; SPBC COO on Indeed; SPBC COO on ZipRecruiter
Incomplete and/or printed (hard copy) application packages will not be considered. All materials sent to the SPBC Human Resources function (via the digital recruiting platform) will be kept confidential and are non-returnable to applicants. All submissions are due on or before January 17, 2025.
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Join Weekly Zoom calls with ABCOTS Executive Minister Dr. Harrison
Tuesdays at 11 AM EST
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/92965419729?pwd=dnV5TmZQQlhHOHVrT2lJVmtVREJPdz09
Meeting ID: 929 6541 9729 Password: 6Qi4WF
