A Message to ABCNJ’s Churches and Pastors

Dear Friends,

For the past fourteen years, it has been my honor to serve as the Executive Minister and Senior Regional Pastor of the American Baptist Churches of New Jersey. I appreciate all of the invitations you have extended to me to preach, teach, counsel, guide and encourage God’s people throughout our state and beyond! You have supported my ministry in every way. And together our region has accomplished a great deal for the Kingdom of God. We are indeed a healthy and faithful family of churches and pastors, whose impact extends throughout the globe.  I have also been privileged to be surrounded by a ministry team that is second to none.

ABCNJ is part of a larger family, being one of 34 regions of the American Baptist Churches, USA. Today, acting on the recommendation of the Search Committee, the Board of General Ministries has voted to extend a call to me to serve as ABCUSA’s General Secretary, and I have accepted this call. A national press release will soon be sent out, but I wanted my ABCNJ family to receive this news directly from me.

There are significant challenges facing our ABCUSA family, and I hope to work with our brothers and sisters throughout the country to strengthen and expand American Baptist witness in the twenty-first century. I have not made this decision lightly, and it is not easy for me to say goodbye to New Jersey, but I believe it is God’s will for me to provide pastoral leadership to our whole family. I make this transition anticipating and asking for your prayers, support, and encouragement!

After I meet with the ABCNJ Council and Ministry Team on Saturday, May 13, I will send out a detailed letter to everyone in the region. This update will outline our transition strategy based on the succession plan Council approved last summer. We have excellent leadership at all levels of our region, and I know I can count on you to support them as we prepare ABCNJ for a new season of service.

May God continue to bless ABCNJ, and please keep me in your prayers as I prepare for my new pastoral role for our national ABC family.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Dr. Lee B. Spitzer
Executive Minister and Senior Regional Pastor