Title: Speakers announced for General Assembly
Date: March 30, 1999
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: news@cm.disciples.org
99b-20
INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- A United Church of Christ minister and former U.N. ambassador, the pastor of a fast-growing Cleveland Disciples congregation, and a United Methodist pastor whose church is doing pioneer work in multimedia ministry head the list of speakers during the General Assembly in Cincinnati.
The
Revs. Andrew Young, Robin E. Hedgeman and Michael Slaughter will lead Disciples from
across North America as they gather Oct. 8-12 under the theme, "The Journey
Now."
The Rev. Andrew Young will speak during the Oct. 12 closing worship service. The United Church of Christ minister is currently co-chairman of Good Works International, an Atlanta-based specialty consulting group.
In 1994, President Bill Clinton appointed Young chair of the South Africa Enterprise Development Fund, a $100-million privately managed fund that provides equity to businesses in southern Africa.
A public servant and sports enthusiast, Young was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives three times, served two terms as mayor of Atlanta and was co-chairman of the 1996 Olympic Games. He was appointed ambassador to the United Nations by former President Jimmy Carter.
The human rights activist was a top aide to the late Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., and was vice president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He presently is a board member of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Center for Non-Violent Social Change in Atlanta.
Young belongs to the directorates of numerous businesses and organizations including Delta Airlines, Argus, Host Marriott Corporation, Archer Daniel Midland, Cox Communications and Thomas Nelson Publishing. He has published two books, A Way Out of No Way and An Easy Burden.
He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Howard University, Washington, D.C., and Hartford (Conn.) Seminary.
The Rev. Robin Hedgeman is senior pastor of Bethany Christian Church in
Cleveland. According to the 1998 Year Book and Directory, Bethany Church led in baptisms
among congregations with 501 to 1000 participating members. Hedgeman will preach Oct. 11.
The Washington, D.C., native served from 1990-1998 as associate regional minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Ohio. From 1988 to 1990 she was pastor of Howett Street Christian Church, Peoria, Ill.
Hedgeman is a past president of the Division of Overseas Ministries board of directors. She also served the board as vice president and has been vice president of the alumni association at Lexington Theological Seminary.
She also has been active with the International Christian Women's Fellowship, giving the closing address during the 1994 Quadrennial Assembly, and served on the ICWF cabinet and with Church Women Staff Fellowship.
She holds a doctorate of ministry from United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio. Hedgeman earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Towson (Md.) State University and Lexington Theological Seminary.
The Rev. Michael Slaughter has been pastor of Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church, Tipp City, Ohio, since 1979. During this time attendance at the church increased from 90 to more than 3,000. He will lead an Oct. 11 morning presentation in a day-long focus on evangelism.
Slaughter holds associate's and bachelor's degrees from the University of Cincinnati. He earned master of divinity and doctorate of ministry degrees from Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Ky., and United Theological Seminary, Dayton, where he serves on the board of trustees. He is on the Beeson Pastor's Council at Asbury Seminary.
The active United Methodist has been a delegate to three United Methodist General Conferences and two Jurisdictional Conferences. He also serves on the West Ohio Conference Board of Ministry.
Slaughter has written two books on church renewal: Spiritual Entrepreneurs: 6 Principles for Risking Renewal and Out On The Edge: A Wake-Up Call For Church Leaders On The Edge Of The Media Reformation.
His latest book, Out on the Edge, outlines the strategy implemented by Ginghamsburg Church in its integration of multimedia into the worship celebration. A team of professional and volunteer media persons utilize cameras, graphics, video, sound and lighting in producing what has been called "the leading worship celebration media experience in North America."
Moderator
Michael Mooty, senior minister of Central Christian Church, Lexington, Ky.will preach at
Friday evening's opening worship. He will conclude his term as moderator at the close of
assembly. General Minister and President Richard L. Hamm, Indianapolis, will speak Sunday
evening. The Rev. Feliberto Pereira, head of Good Samaritan Ministries, Los Fresnos, Texas
will speak on Saturday morning as part of the day's emphasis on justice ministries..
-- end --