We are pleased to announce our Biennial Breakfast opportunity to hear from three leading American Baptist leaders share in a Round Table discussion on "How Baptist History Informs our Mission and Ministry." This will be followed by an invigorating Conversation Cafe involving all who are present. Be a part of the collective wisdom we will share around the compelling question: "As Baptists, what role does our history play in the effective preparation of a new generation of leaders in church and society?"

You won't want to miss being a part of shaping a great vision for the relevant use of Baptist history and heritage to raise new generations of Baptist leaders. Sign up on the ABCUSA Biennial website. www.abc-usa.org

Our History Matters Campaign video can be watched on You Tube! Please invite your contacts to watch the You Tube video and leave a comment so that our video can move up in the ratings and featured videos. This may give us some increased exposure!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhupi0kvYvE

This campaign will establish our capacity to provide educational opportunities to a new generation who will live out their faith in the world from a position of understanding their own place and role in history. This became even more real for me as I shared with a young American Baptist during the More than a Week National Youth Gathering sponsored by National Ministries. She asked me about Ann Judson during her visit at our booth. Ann Judson's bio impressed her as she became aware that even way back then a woman was such a great example of radical discipleship. As we talked about our history, I witnessed her eyes grow brighter and her head lift high as she understood her legacy a little better. "Wow, that's incredible," she exclaimed.

That is why I am supporting and promoting the ABHS HISTORY MATTERS Campaign. This campaign will establish our capacity to provide educational opportunities to a new generation who will live out their faith in the world from a position of understanding their own place and role in history---living a radical discipleship as the hands and feet of Christ.

Join me and others in support of the History Matters Campaign. The time is ripe!

REMEMBER to go to www.abhsarchives.org to give your campaign donation. Just click the "donate now" button.

Thank you for your support!

Trinette McCray, ABHS President

Helen Barrett MontgomeryA licensed minister, social
activist, women's suffrage leader, author and lecturer, she published a translation of the Greek New Testament and was the first woman president of the Northern Baptist Convention (1921-22). I recently had the honor of preaching for the opening service of the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School's Annual Helen Barrett Montgomery Conference. This year the conference celebrated the anniversary of her licensing in Christian ministry. As I prepared for the conference, I found myself relating to her in a "daughter's" spirit. I began to more fully know her and embrace her witness as I learned of her leadership in areas so needed today: women's rights, the education of women, preaching, international mission support and denominational leadership. Helen Barrett Montgomery was a leader who left a great legacy.

Dr. Samuel Dewitt Proctor, a native of Norfolk, Virginia, received the A.B. degree in Language and Literature from Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia in 1942, the B.D. degree from Crozer Theological Seminary, Rochester, New York in 1945 and the Th.D degree from Boston University in 1950. On July 1, 1960, Dr. Proctor accepted the invitation from A&T College to become president having served successfully as pastor of the Pond Street Baptist Church in Providence, Rhode Island and professor, dean of the School of Religion, vice president and president of Virginia Union University.
Dr. Proctor was only 39 years old when he was inaugurated as the college’s fifth president.

Personal suffering shaped the ministry of Jitsuo Morikawa. Born into a Buddhist family who immigrated to British Columbia from Japan, he first learned of Jesus from a Christian neighbor. He made a decision for Christ at age 16, and felt the call to be an evangelist. He carried a strong sense for sharing that the Good News means more than personal evangelism. From 1956 to 1966, he served as National Ministries’ director of Evangelism. Jitsuo defined the inclusive call of all Christian workers as ministry. He saw things whole and strongly led in the building of others for the work of justice in the building of the kingdom.