American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) announces an important Justice Dialogue—an information and action virtual event on Wednesday, February 5, from 10 to 11:30 am (Pacific Time) to address urgent matters surrounding immigration enforcement.

Titled “Care for One Another During Current Immigration Enforcement: Know Your Rights for Yourself and Your Community,” this timely presentation and moderated conversation is designed to equip religious leaders, activists, pastors, and members of the American Baptist community with the tools and knowledge needed to protect themselves and their communities amid heightened immigration-related challenges.

Click here for more information and to register

Rev. Larry Ginn will be with us for our next Third Thursday on February 20 at 10:30 on Zoom about C.P.R. Put the date on your calendar and plan on being there!

Your church is invited to join youth and young adults for an incredible weekend in March. Here's what you need to do NOW to get ready:

• Be praying that God will touch everyone who will be at the retreat!
• Invite youth and young adults to participate!
• Inform parents of youth who may attend.
• Note the important dates for deposit, forms and full payment.

The forms and payments links will be posted soon!

Update on Disaster Relief 

As we all know the need will to respond to those impacted by the fires is long term. Your continued prayers, donations and volunteering will continue to be needed.

Thank you for your donations to the Rapid Response Fund and One Great Hour of Sharing.

Click here to read the news release from American Baptist Home Mission Societies.

There are three ways you can give:

1. Send a check to ABCOFLASH (Attention: Emergency Response Fund; 213 N. Louise St., Glendale, CA 91206
2. Give Online to the ABCOFLASH Emergency Response Fund by clicking here.
3. Give Online to One Great Hour of Sharing through the American Baptist Home Mission Societies by clicking here.

100% of all funds donated will go towards emergency or long-term relief for those impacted by the fires.

CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE FLYER AND THE LINK TO PURCHASE TICKETS

On the heels of many sexual abuse tragedies, the State of California has passed AB-506 to address child safety in youth-serving organizations. California churches are now subject to mandated reporting legislation that includes mandatory reporter training, Live Scan Background Checks and required policies and procedures.

ABCOFLASH had a Zoom meeting that stressed the importance of every church in California that serves children & youth implementing AB-506. Here are the resources that you need to get started implementing this law.

Everything You Need to Know to Get Started - A PDF document that explains what you need to know!

Veronica Gunn will come to your church and live-scan your employees, board and volunteers at a reduced price: vlgunn@hotmail.com, 626 485 0707 

The Website to get this vital training: Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training

AB506 Church Guide: How Ministries Can Comply in 2024 – this has everything about implementing the law.

More about the HR Network, which provides aith-based training: Church HR Network | ChurchWest 

Faye Yarbrough, a Global Servant serving in South Africa, has returned to Los Angeles for a year of connecting with churches to share what God is doing on the mission field! While she is here in 2025, Faye would like to visit your church! Invite her to a worship service, small group meeting, or meal. Faye can be reached @ fyarbrough@internationalministries.org.

Click here to read Faye's latest journal about her ministry and return to the U.S.

Registration for the Biennial Mission Summit is now open.

Click here for more information about the Biennial and registration.