The American Baptist Churches of New Jersey is launching a new initiative: “Communities in Action.” This is a collaboration between ABCNJ’s current New Church Development and Public Mission Committees. This partnership aspires to facilitate Christian leaders in navigating the present post-Christian pluralistic society, where injustice and inequity continue to pervade while supporting one another in discovering ways to respond with love and courage. These events, activities, and resources seek to inspire, empower, and support congregations and faith groups in the work towards justice and human rights to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and be peacemakers in our world.
Our goals are to:
provide spaces for courageous conversations about issues surrounding our communities and churches;
form and facilitate “Communities in Action” groups, a cohort of practitioners who are seeking to develop new initiatives to address the needs of their communities; and
identify and support ABCNJ pioneering leaders and entrepreneurs to plant new churches or expressions of church.
2022-2023 Grant Recipients
Congratulations to the ministries that received a grant for 2022-2023. Click on the name below for more information:
Capital City Dinner Church through First Baptist Church Trenton and NextGen Church
Chia Village through First Baptist Church - Burlington
The Feast: A Dinner Church through First Baptist Church, Red Bank
The Lodge through First Baptist Church of Salem
Neighborhood Arts Ministry through First Baptist Church of Collingswood
Resource Center through Osbornville Baptist Church
The Starfish Foster/ Adoptive/ Kinship Community through First Baptist Church, Pitman
Team Effort through Iglesia Bautista Cristiana de New Hights
Events and Updates
Resources
Capital City Dinner Church
Capital City Dinner Church is an open invitation for neighbors and friends to join for a meal over God’s word and conversation. Everyone is welcomed to the table at the Capital City Dinner Church. It is a place where neighbors gather to share a warm meal amidst the love of Christ, and to witness the Holy Spirit bless, heal and unite God’s people.
Interested in finding out more about Dinner Church or leading a Dinner Church in ABCNJ? Then contact:
Rev. Mia Chang, Lead Pastor of NextGen Church - Mia@nextgenministry.net
Rev. Calvin Powell, Pastor at First Baptist Church of Trenton - Nadirsstop@gmail.com
In His Image Justice Coalition
Mobilizing the church and community to protect the vulnerable from human trafficking, In His Image Justice Coalition, a non-profit organization has provided education and awareness about human trafficking to the community since 2015. Using a justice-based approach, they seek to end sex trafficking through equitable consequences for buyers and by eliminating the social acceptance of buying people.
Judi Worgress is Co-Founder and President of In His Image Justice Coalition and member of an ABCNJ congregation. Find out more by visiting: www.freedomfromtrafficking.com
Books
Here are some books that have been shared during our webinars and are being used by congregations participating in Communities of Action Cohorts.
