April 28, 2003
by Eleanor P. Lundy
American Baptist International Ministries

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. - Opportunities to learn about global mission and meet American Baptist missionaries will highlight International Ministries-sponsored events during the 2003 American Baptist Biennial Meeting in Richmond, Va. These Bible studies, workshops and other special events will feature missionaries serving 13 countries:

. Bible studies will be led by International Ministries missionaries Wendy Bernhard (The Democratic Republic of the Congo), M. Cecilia Broadous (South Africa), Sheila Heneise (Chile) and Daniel Chetti (Lebanon).

. "Overseas and Across the Street," a workshop led by International Ministries missionary Chuck Shawver (Mexico), will explore principles of cross-cultural witness and service in a time of global migration. (Saturday, June 28, 2:45-4:30 p.m.)

. "Meet the Missionaries" will be a cooperative workshop presented by all three American Baptist program boards. (Sunday, June 29, 2:45-4:30 p.m.)

. Informal dialog will be offered with American Baptist missionaries serving Hong Kong, Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa, Chile, Mexico, Lebanon, Japan, El Salvador, Haiti, Thailand, Latvia, Bolivia and Nicaragua. Visit International Ministries' Biennial exhibit area for a schedule of missionaries' availability.

International Ministries' luncheon on Monday, June 30, will feature the Rev. Dr. John A. Sundquist, executive director of International Ministries, as keynote speaker. Sundquist will retire in August after 15 years of leading American Baptist churches throughout the world in mission outreach and partnership.

Performing at the luncheon will be the Shokei Choir from Shokei Gakuin in Sendai, Japan, a school founded in 1892 by American Baptist missionaries. The 40-voice girls' choir also will sing during the installation of General Secretary the Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley on Friday, June 27, and will participate in a Music Showcase on Saturday, June 28. Roberta Stephens, an American Baptist missionary serving in Japan, will accompany the choir to the Biennial.

For updated information about these Biennial events visit www.internationalministries.org.

American Baptist News Service