The leader of the 1.3 million member American Baptist Churches USA told the denomination's board of directors at a recent gathering that an initiative to learn about challenges facing the church at the local, regional and national levels is making progress, saying it is "bringing back the belief that God is not through with us. God still has work to do."

General Secretary Rev. A. Roy Medley joined other officials at the picturesque Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, Wisconsin for the Board of General Ministries meeting from June 15-17.

The meeting included reports informing the Board as it carries out responsibilities in setting policies and offering guidance to the denomination's 5,500 local autonomous churches.

The "Transformed by the Spirit Initiative" is headed by the National Executive Council which includes the General Secretary and leaders of various ABC USA bodies related to Home Mission, International Ministries, Women's Ministries and Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board. It also includes the Ministers Council, the Regional Executive Ministers Council and a number of local pastors.

Among the challenges the denomination faces are demographic shifts, declining revenues, newly arriving immigrant communities, and proliferating communications which have impacted mission and ministries.

"Transformed by the Spirit is changing the conversation of this denomination," Rev. Medley said.

On Sunday, Rev. Medley gave a sermon focused on hospitality, reflecting on gifts, giving to your guests and serving others.

"The best gifts are not always the most expensive gifts," he said. "But they are always, always the most thoughtful gifts.

Participants also heard from President Ruth Clark and Associated General Secretary Leo Thorne in a presentation about the Mission Summit/Biennial set to take place in June 2013.

The 2013 Summit's website notes "major changes are ahead for your church" and tells potential participants about "25 major changes on the horizon," adding that the summit is an opportunity to share challenges, ideas and information with other American Baptists.

Other developments at the three-day gathering included the election of three at-large directors:

Rev. Camille Brown from the Cleveland Baptist Association
Ms. Koreen Villers from the West Virginia Baptist Convention
Mr. Mo Khan, General Director to the Board of General Ministries

The Board also heard reports from various committees who split off during the conference. The committees are:

Finance Committee
Committee on Christian Unity & Interfaith Relations
Committee on Congregational Renewal
Committee on Mission Resource Development
Committee on Missional Response
Committee on Professional Church Leadership.

Participants also attended the installation service for Benjamin C.K. Mott, who was installed as President/CEO of the Great Lakes Conference Center.

The meeting over the weekend marked the second time that the Board of General Ministries is meeting following the denominational bylaws changes passed by the former General Board in June, 2011.