Who We Are
April 2008:
Welcome to the website of the American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware (ABCOPAD). Throughout the website you will find information describing the many opportunities we have as a Region family to partner in ministry and mission.
In 2007 we celebrated the 300th anniversary of Baptists in America. We celebrate the surpassing of our 2007 goal of the Partners in Ministry emphasis receiving gifts and tithes of $92,478. Our Executive Minister, Rev. Frank Frischkorn, has just celebrated his first anniversary with us.
The 2008 Biennial will be held Oct 24-26 at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona, Pennsylvania around the theme, The Power of Partnership. Through the vision of the 2008 Biennial Planning Committee, we are partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Blair County to build a house in Altoona. These are exciting days. As you browse the website, you will see that God is at work in ABCOPAD. We hope you’ll partner with us.
Please contact us if we can be of any service to you.
In His Service,
Sue MacDonald,
President of ABCOPAD
PURPOSE STATEMENT:
God calls us to covenant together in Christ to be a worshipping, inviting, caring, and growing family.
To provide an organization through which the member churches can implement and fulfill their role as part of the church of Jesus Christ.
To implement as an organization its corporate responsibility for that mission of the church which extends beyond the local congregation and related units:
1. To support the American Baptist Churches in the USA in its world mission;
2. To extend the total mission of the church throughout the Pennsylvania and Delaware region;
3. To engage in such acts of charity and to establish and support such institutions as shall give effective expression of the Christian concern of the membership for the needs of persons;
4. To provide the corporate structures by which the membership can give effective expression of Christian concern for the needs of society;
5. To develop in all persons an awareness and appreciation that God is Creator and Source of all so that stewardship is fulfilled.
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Making Disciples
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Growing Vital Congregations
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Encouraging Ministry Initiatives
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Strengthening Cooperative Ministries
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Supporting American Baptist Mission
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Managing Resources Effectively
HISTORY
In 1703 the American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania became a part of America’s oldest American Baptist organization, the Philadelphia Baptist Association. In 1972 the American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware (ABCOPAD) was formed as the successor of the Pennsylvania Baptist Convention. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Associations were separate Regions. As of October 15, 2005, the Pittsburgh Baptist Association and ABCOPAD have merged in ministry together.
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Total operating receipts for 2007 Approx. $1,041,475
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Mission receipts for 2007 Approx. $2,051,075
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Endowment Fund Approx. (restricted and unrestricted) $ 2 million
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Common Investment Fund (owned by related organizations & churches) Approx. $ 2.5
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Total membership Approx 48,500
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Number of churches 322
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Number of Associations 21
Note: Philadelphia Baptist Association
is an independent Region not a part of ABCOPAD
DEMOGRAPHICS
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The region is a mix of rural, suburban and urban communities. The distribution of our churches is approximately 40% urban,47% suburban, 13% rural
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Of our 322 churches 273 are Euro-American; 41 are African American; 3 are Hispanic and 5 are multi-racial
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The region is organized into 6 areas with 21 associations
REGION MINISTRIES
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Wilkinsburg United Ministries Initiative
REGIONAL STAFF
Follow this link to view a list of current Regaionl Staff including contact information.
REGIONAL OFFICES
Follow this link to view a list of ABCOPAD Regional Offices including contact information:
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Downloadable Documents & Links To Additional Information |
American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware
106 Revere Lane, Coatesville, PA 19320