Close to 60 Baptist communicators joined religious communicators from throughout the world for RCCongress 2010 in Chicago. BCA held its annual workshop in conjunction with the once-a-decade event. The theme for the event was Embracing Change: Communicating Faith in Today's World.

Gathering from 14 states, BCA members kicked off the annual workshop on Tuesday evening, April 6, with an authentic Chicago-style hot dog dinner and a trolley tour of the Windy City. The rest of the week was packed with workshops, business sessions, forums and idea-sharing. One new feature this year was the use of online conferences. BCAers were able to dialogue virtually with Ronnie Floyd, chairman of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force; they also learned practical tips from virtual presenters Brad Abare and Michael Buckingham affiliated with the popular blog, "Church Marketing 'Stinks.'"

How do you honor the memory of a friend and colleague who died an unexpected and untimely death?

Saddened from the sudden death in November 2007 of longtime friend and BCA administrator Keith Beene, BCA members voted in April 2009 to establish an educational endowment in his memory. Earnings from the resulting endowment will subsidize the annual scholarships awarded by BCA.

The fund was established at the initiative of BCA member Kim Quinn through the Missouri Baptist Foundation, which will retain the funds and manage the account. The Foundation has pledged a matching $5,000 grant, after the first $5,000 in contributions is posted to the account.

To date, contributions to the account include $2,560 from BCA resources and an additional $1,140 from personal and organizational donations, bringing the total in the account to $3,700. Now is the time for BCA members to rally and contribute, either personally or from their organizations, the additional $1,300 needed for the initial $5,000.

The Missouri Baptist Foundation accepts checks and also offers on-line giving at www.mbfn.org site. Checks should be sent directly to the Foundation at 400 East High St., Suite 500, Jefferson City, MO 65101 made out to the Beene Educational Endowment. All gifts are tax-deductible.

Members of the ad-hoc Endowment Committee making the initial recommendation in April 2009 were Chairman Norman Jameson, Joe Westbury and Doug Rogers.

Honor the memory of our beloved friend Keith Beene by making your donation today.

A much-anticipated aspect of BCA's annual workshop is the Wilmer C. Fields Awards Competition where Baptist communicators are recognized for exceptional achievement. This year, renowned musician Ken Medema provided entertainment for the awards banquet. Seven BCA members were recognized as grand prize winners:

• Norman Jameson, Biblical Recorder, the Frank Burkhalter award for significant achievement in religious news writing;
• Phyllis Evans and Institutional Advancement Team, Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, the Arthur S. Davenport award for exceptional achievement in public relations and development;
• Joe Westbury, The Christian Index, the Leonard Holloway award for exceptional achievement in feature writing;
• Jim Edminson, Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina, the M.E. Dodd award for significant achievement in radio, television, film and video;
• Carol Woodward, Office of Marketing and Public Relations, University of Mary Hardin Baylor, the Albert McClellan award for significant achievement in print media and design;
• Kristen Nicole Sayres, International Mission Board, the Fon H. Scofield award for significant achievement in photography; and
• Justin Garcia, Mississippi College, the Diane Reasoner award for exceptional achievement in interactive communications.

View a comprehensive list of all award recipients (.pdf)

Also this year participants made financial donations and gathered toiletry items for Circle of Love, a ministry in Chicago that helps homeless women and children. Tanya Vargas, founder of the ministry, shared the purpose and background of the ministry and accepted donations of $507 and a bag of toiletries.

BCA members who would still like to contribute can:

1. Give financially. Make checks payable to Armitage Baptist Church; in the memo section write, Circle of Love.
2. Give gift cards to large retail stores and drug stores, such as Wal-Mart or Walgreens.
3. Give toiletries for men and women, including deodorant, shampoo, toothbrush/paste, and soap.

Mail checks, gift cards or toiletries to:
Armitage Baptist Church - Garfield
Attention Tanya Vargas
131 S. Pulaski
Chicago, IL 60624

The organization, more than 50 years old and about 250 members strong, also elected new officers for 2010-11. They are:

• President: Bill Bangham, International Mission Board, bbangham@imb.org
• President-Elect: Julie McGowan, Oklahoma Baptist University, julie.mcgowan@okbu.edu
• Program Co-Chairs: Tim Yarbrough, North American Mission Board, tyarbrough@namb.net; Mike Ebert, North American Mission Board, mebert@namb.net
• Program Chair-Elect: Rand Jenkins, Baptist General Convention of Texas, rand.jenkins@texasbaptists.org
• Awards Chair: Jim Burton, North American Mission Board, jburton@namb.net
• Membership Vice President: Stella Prather, Arkansas Baptist Children's Homes, sprather@abchomes.org
• Communications Vice President: Lauren Rodriguez, Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware, lrodriguez@bcmd.org
• Treasurer: Keith Hinson, Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, khinson@alsbom.org
• Professional Development Coordinator: Brenda Smith, Kentucky Baptist Convention, brenda.smith@kybaptist.org
• Missions Vice President: Stacey Hamby, Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, stacey@pleasantvalley.org
• Historian/Webmaster: Cam Tracy, Union University, ctracy@uu.edu

The formation of a BCA Task Force was announced. The Task Force is charged with the responsibility of examining all aspects of BCA and making recommendations for improvements or changes to move the organization forward effectively into the future. Immediate past-president Jennifer Rash, The Alabama Baptist, will chair the Task Force, which will be comprised additionally of one lifetime member, one individual who has been a member for several years and one individual who has recently become a member. The Task Force will make initial recommendations to officers in February 2011, with any substantive changes to be voted on by members present for the annual business meeting during the Atlanta workshop.

The 2010-11 educational scholarship recipient is Deanne Carter. Carter, a longtime BCA member, is a full-time student at Golden Gate Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, California. She will receive a $500 scholarship to further her graduate studies.