Sunday, May 5th, Hosted by New Era Church (517 W 30th St)
Our guest preacher will be The Rev. Hopeton Scott who has been Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Bridgeport, Connecticut, since 1995, where Michael and Vivienne Friday have been members since 2014. He is a graduate of Central Connecticut State University, the United Theological College of the West Indies, the University of the West Indies, and the University of St. Joseph in West Hartford, CT. Following seminary and a brief ministry stint in Jamaica, he returned to Connecticut where he has served the American Baptist Churches of Connecticut ever since.
CLICK HERE for a flyer of the event.
CLICK HERE for a registration form for churches (CLICK HERE to pay registration fee online, select “one time gift”).
CLICK HERE if you are interested in being a part of the Mission & Ministry Faire displays (CLICK HERE to pay registration fee online, select “one time gift”).
CLICK HERE to give to the Annual Gathering Offering, which this year will be used toward the development of a Young Emerging Leaders Initiative. Select “one time gift”.
2023 Annual Gathering
The 2023 Annual Gathering will take place at Bethel Chin Baptist Church (99 W Main St, Greenwood, IN) on May 7, 2023. Our theme will be “Embracing Transitions” with speaker Rev. Dr. Trinette McCray.
Schedule of Events
3:30 pm Registration Begins
4:00 pm Stories of Transition – Sanctuary
- Embracing a New Space
- Embracing a New Pastor
- Embracing a New Culture
- Embracing a New Ministry
5:00 pm Mission and Ministry Faire – Fellowship Hall
5:45 pm Pre Worship Concert
6:00 pm Worship with speaker Rev. Dr. Trinette McCray
7:30 pm Ice Cream Reception
- Please use #ABCGI2023 for any social media posts
- This year our offering will be going to ministries with unhoused persons. ABCGI accepts donations through Gyve. To give online CLICK HERE
- PARKING can be found in the main lot in front of the sanctuary entrance, the lower lot on the east side of the building, across the street at 70 W Main St, and south of the church at the park.
- REGISTER your church by APRIL 24th and bring as many participants as you like! You may also register as an individual if your church is not coming as a group. Contact MAE in the office by phone (317-484-9327) or email.
- CLICK HERE to download the flyer for this event. CLICK HERE for a registration form.
Rev. Dr. Trinette McCray
In pre-civil rights Milwaukee, Trinette saw life’s stark contrasts. Separation and strife were common. She carries the memory of her church being fire-bombed. But there were also very positive elements – hope, supportive community and family, church and schools, all of whom invested encouragement in their young people.
McCray was the first woman in her church to express a call to ministry. To that end she moved to Atlanta to attend Morehouse School of Religion. Most Black pastors in Atlanta had vowed not to license or ordain women but recognizing her gifts and calling, she was ordained by the late civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Ralph David Abernathy in 1981.
She spent 23 years at Cardinal Stritch University as campus pastor, director of vocations, and an adjunct professor. She is current head of McCray Consulting.
A leader nationally, in June 1999, Dr. McCray was elected president of the American Baptist Churches USA, having the historic distinction of being the first clergywoman elected as the national president. Dr. McCray currently serves as president of the American Baptist Black Caucus.
This year’s theme is “Writing Our Story”. The worship service will be streamed on Facebook Live by Indianapolis First Baptist Church. All other events will be in person only. Our guest preacher will be Pastor Jeffrey A. Johnson of Eastern Star Church and former Youth Director at Oasis of Hope.
CLICK HERE for the flyer
Our Annual Gathering offering this year will be going to the Church Health Fund. Gifts designated to this fund are used to increase the vibrancy and capacity of our churches including, vision discernment, Listening Conferences, pastoral searches and stewardship development.
There are many ways to give to the Offering:
- Join us for worship at the Annual Gathering!!
- Go to https://www.abcgi.org/giving/ and fill out the giving fund (select 2022 Annual Gathering Offering from the fund drop down menu
- Text to give! Send a text to (317) 676-6871 with the amount you’d like to give. You will be prompted to set up your account (if you gave this way in previous years you will not need to re-enter information).
- Send checks to our office (1100 W 42nd St Suite 218, Indianapolis IN 46208) with the memo “Annual Gathering Offering”
PAST GATHERING VIDEOS
Click the above link to re-watch the 2022 ABCGI Annual Gathering
Re-watch the 2021 ABCGI Annual Gathering