State of the State (ABCNJ)

 The Annual Session of American Baptist Churches of New Jersey took place early in October.  As usual, the big room was packed – an extremely diverse 400 from churches around the state.  The event featured exuberant music and worship, reports on ministries and budget and mission efforts.  

We heard from our friends on the ministry staff:  executive minister Miriam Mendez, associate regional pastor Eric Hoheisel, and minister of transformation and spiritual formation Ruth Giraldo-Manguel.  We also have directors of Latino ministries and Asian ministries.  The region office moved from Trenton to Westfield last July due to First Baptist Church donating their building to the organization.

Camp Lebanon:  in 2023, the Camp and Conference Center was occupied for 290 days, in use for 40 of the weekends, including all-age church retreats, pastor luncheons, and Men’s, Women’s, Children’s and Youth retreats, along with the summer schedule of week-long camps for children and youth.  More contributions (including ours!) to the “Cedars of Lebanon” fund were received, increasing the investment income to over $12,000.

We also heard encouraging reports from 24 “Emerging Scholars” who received scholarship gifts toward their college or seminary education, speaking sincerely of their faith and understanding of God’s direction for their careers.

Budget notes: we are among the 105 churches (out of 270 ABCNJ congregations) contributing to a budget of just over $1,000,000.  

Miriam Mendez reported, “As I mark my sixth year as your Executive Minister and Senior Regional Pastor, I remain hopeful because of the light of Christ shining in each of you.  

 Your ABCNJ staff has made over 1,000 contacts with pastors / churches / leaders.  We have celebrated ordinations, pastoral installations, and church anniversaries.  Your ABCNJ pastoral staff has traveled over 19,000 miles across NJ and engaged in countless texts, phone calls and Zoom meetings.  Each month, we gather for prayer with the ABCNJ community on Zoom.     May we continue to be a people deeply rooted in Christ, Mission, and Love, dedicated to our mission of service and love.  (--Miriam Mendez)