Schweissings Called to Serve as Regional Missionaries in ABC of the Rocky Mountains

At its regular Board Meeting on February 6, 2010, The Board of the American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountains (ABCRM) affirmed the decision of its Executive Committee to call Dan and Estela Schweissing as Regional Missionaries to serve political refugees in the Region. The Schweissings will begin their work in the Rocky Mountain Region on March 18th. They currently serve with International Ministries and are on home assignment following their service in the Bahamas.

In their role as Regional Missionaries the Schweissings will serve as a liaison between the Region, local congregations and local resettlement agencies, work with English as a Second Language programs, assist in secondary migration issues and assist local congregations to be more effective in reaching out to political refugees, especially those being resettled from Burma. During their home assignment, Dan and Estela enjoyed volunteering in this role and saw the need for an expanded ministry. Crossroads American Baptist Church, located in Northglenn, CO, has will be a significant partner with the Region in this expanded work.

While in Haiti, Dan served the Mission Baptist Consortium of Churches in the area of theological education at Atlantic College and Theological Seminary in Nassau. Estela served in the area of general ministry with the seven Haitian congregations of the 13-member Mission Baptist Consortium of churches in Nassau, Bahamas with particular emphasis on the needs of women and children. Like many other immigrant communities throughout the world, Haitians in the Bahamas faced severe discrimination and were often forced to do menial labor for substandard wages. Dan and Estela’s experience in the Bahamas has uniquely prepared them to serve in this ministry.

Individuals and congregations who wish to support Dan and Estela in their new role can do so by sending gifts to ABCRM and designating it for Schweissing’s Regional Support. Individuals and congregations who have been supporting Dan and Estela’s work in the Bahamas will be contacted about how they would like future gifts to be directed.