Former pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church to be saluted at ‘Space for Grace’ Conference
At the young age of 10-years-old, Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III was licensed to preach the Gospel. Growing up in Compton, he had no idea of the great plans that God had for him.
Over the next 55 years, Wright-Riggins made significant strides. He directed the Peace with Justice Ministries for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Los Angeles Chapter, for nine years. From 1984 to 1991, he served as pastor of the historic Macedonia Baptist Church in Watts. Through these positions, Wright-Riggins developed a wide reputation as an effective preacher, outstanding teacher and determined social justice activist.
In August 1991, he gained a national platform through his appointment as executive director of the American Baptist Home Mission Society (ABHMS), the domestic arm of the American Baptist Churches USA that “ministers as the caring heart and serving hands of Jesus Christ across the United States and Puerto Rico through a multitude of initiatives that focus on discipleship, community and justice.”
During his 24-year tenure at ABHMS, Wright-Riggins continued to implement initiatives that promoted Christ and advocated social justice. His accomplishments have led to more than 500,000 new disciples, the establishment of 500 churches and the launching of a multitude of ministries including the ABHMS’ Prisoner Re-entry Ministry.
“Much of what I have led the Home Mission Society to do is to get back in touch with its essential DNA as a mission organization and to ask the question: ‘What does that look like in the 21st century?’
“We know that a big part of the answer involves equipping churches to be the front line of home mission in their communities,” said Wright-Riggins in reference to his ABHMS administration.
In recognition of his many achievements, Wright-Riggins will be honored at ABHMS’ Space for Grace conference on Wednesday, November 4, through Saturday, November 7, at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport Hotel. The ecumenical event will feature worship, Bible studies, and discussions on race, religion, culture and class to foster healing in these areas.
“This conference is really about learning how to draw people in as opposed to excluding people, how do we begin to become more inclusive and embracing both in the areas of race, gender, the younger generation within the church. This conference is an opportunity to have these crucial conversations, how do we begin to make space for grace with each other and within our communities,” explained Wright-Riggins.
The sessions at Space for Grace will cover topics such as “Consensus Building in the Midst of Diversity and Divergence,” “Extending Grace to Others in Tension-filled Moments” and “Ministering to Communities in Crisis.” The speakers include theologian and author Brian D. MacLauren, the Rev. Dr. Raphael G. Warnock, pastor of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church; and the Rev. Susan Sparks, pastor of Madison Avenue Baptist Church in New York City.
“Our hope is that this is not a one-time event. The conference is an opportunity to launch ambassadors in our community, creating comprehensive action in our churches and begin to ask the question from the pulpit, ‘What might we do to make an impact on our own contacts around these issues?’ This [conference] is just the beginning of this launching pad and an ending,” he insisted.
Urging pastors and laity to attend, Wright-Riggins said, “The ministry of God belongs to the people of God and the people of God really do most of the ministry, not in the church, but in their home and community, particularly people who are educators, business owners, in private industry or in government. How do you take this back into your workspace and begin to have an open, inclusive encounter with others in ways that are productive.”
To register for the Space for Grace conference or attend the salute to Wright-Riggins, visit abhms.org.
