Download the 2026 ABC-WI Brochure

ABC-WI Mission & Vision

Mission Statement

ABC of WI is a fellowship of persons, churches and organizations drawn together in the love of God as known in Jesus Christ. We affirm our diversity of culture, gender, and theological perspectives as gifts for ministry. We covenant to share the gospel of Christ, encourage each other in our faith, and share our resources in witness and mission.

Values

Collaboration, Transformation, Integrity, Justice, and Resilience.

Vision Statement

To engage with churches, ministers, and ministries in collaborative and transformative work with our local and global communities by modeling integrity, pursuing justice, and fostering resilience while affirming the sacred worth of each person as beloved in Christ and by His church.

Romans 12:4-5 (NRSV-UE)

"For as in one body we have many members and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another."

ABCWI Constituency

Diverse members, united in Christ.

About the American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin

ABC-WI - Who We Are & What We Do

Who We Are

The American Baptist Churches in Wisconsin is one of thirty-three regions making up the American Baptist Churches, USA. We are the most diverse Protestant denominational body in Wisconsin, currently consisting of 52 cooperating churches: 20 African-American congregations, 18 Euro-American congregations, 4 Latino congregations, 9 Asian congregations (1 Chinese, 4 Chin, 3 Karen, and 1 Burmese-speaking multi-ethnic congregation),  and 1 historically Native American (Ho-Chunk) congregation. Many of our other congregations of different ethnic backgrounds are experiencing growth in ethnic and cultural diversity. One of our congregations has become a multicultural congregation, where English, Karen, Spanish and Telagu are spoken in worship together; another congregation is a Welcoming and Affirming congregation. ABC of Wisconsin has been a leader in supporting women in ministry: we have licensed women to preach since 1847, and Eliza Shirley Symmonds Paulig was called in 1896 as Wisconsin's first woman American Baptist Pastor of the Washington Island Baptist Church.

We are not hierarchical but associational, relating as cooperating churches, individuals and organizations in fellowship. We partner together as a region for mission and service, united in our faith in Jesus Christ. Our Mission and Vision Statements uphold our various diversities as gifts for ministry. In a time of deep division in our country, we are glad to come together as the American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin.

Regional Geography

While the entire state is included in the region of the American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin, currently our churches are in the southern half of the state, if one were to draw a line from La Crosse and Tomah to Green Lake and Sheboygan. The regional office is located in Wauwatosa, close in proximity to the greater Milwaukee area, of which almost half of our churches are located. Our Regional Staff hold regular office hours, usually on Tuesdays and Thursday.

Camp Tamarack is located in Waupaca, Wisconsin, on over one hundred acres, with access to Chain O’ Lakes, hiking trails, and beautiful wilderness. Our Outdoor Ministries include camping programs for children and youth, retreats for youth, young adults, and various activities.  To learn more about Camp Tamarack, the Basile Retreat Center, and our Outdoor Ministries, visit www.camptamarack.com.

Current Regional Ministry Priorities, Support, and Opportunities

ABCWI made Next Generation Ministries a regional priority in 2023 and is currently working to provide resources and opportunities for leaders under 30 in our region for learning, growth, and service. Across the country, in every denomination, we have seen a generation gap in our congregations, and we are working to change that trend here in Wisconsin.

The region provides a number of opportunities for ministers and clergy to connect with each other, learn and grow, and share in faith together:

  • The Teaching Pastor’s Forum is a regular opportunity for pastors to share their passion project in dialogue with colleagues on ministry. Current and past offerings are found here. In addition, we provide resources for continuing education for pastors, along with scholarships and grants, regularly on our website here. The Regional Executive Minister also regularly emails updates from other organizations with scholarships and classes for continuing education.
  • The Ministers Council (ABC-USA) has regional chapters, and the Wisconsin chapter is in the process of re-starting. Through the Ministers Council there are opportunities for retreats, continuing education, fellowship, prayer, and support. Visit here for more information.
  • Pastor Retreats and Care: Along with our partner region ABC Metro Chicago, we have held a number of retreats and continuing education opportunities through a shared grant that have included one-day gatherings and multi-day retreats at Holy Wisdom Monastery and Camp Tamarack. Furthermore, through our partners with ABHMS (American Baptist Home Mission Societies) and MMBB (Minister and Missionary Benefits Board) there are programs for clergy mental health and well-being, vocational coaching, and more.
  • Lay Ministry is another priority of the region. As many of our churches can no longer afford full-time seminary-trained pastors, the Region has organized the Leadership Training Academy to help grow new leaders into local church ministry. In 2026, we began a new partnership with Central Seminary's Antioch Center and are excited to see the new offerings for congregations and leaders that will come forth from this partnership.
  • The regional staff can provide resources and help with a number of local church concerns, such as coverage under the ABCUSA 501(c)3 status, support through MMBB (Ministers and Missionaries Benefits Board), pastoral compensation guidance, pastoral transition and search committee guidance and materials, interim ministry, congregational transitions, new ministries, and much more.

 

ABCWI Board of Managers, Regional Commissions, and Committees

ABCWI is governed by a Board of Managers, consisting of fifteen individuals. The President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Corporate Secretary make up the Executive Committee. The President and Treasurer are elected to a two-year term. Twelve at-large members are elected in staggered 3-year terms; one of the at-large members is voted in by the Board to serve as Vice-President for the year. The Corporate Secretary is the Regional Executive Minister.

ABCWI has two Commissions and four standing Committees whose duties are outlines in our Bylaws:

  • Commission on Congregational Mission: promotes discipleship, justice, evangelism and education; helps congregations with resources needed for current contexts of ministry and mission. You can find current and past year's mission opportunities and resources here.
  • Commission on Ministry: assists churches and ministerial candidates in licensing and ordination procedures within ABCUSA. You can learn more here.
  • Program Committee: plans the Annual Gathering including programming and workshops.
  • Finance Committee: oversees the finances and property of ABCWI
  • Personnel Committee: reviews staff and finances, employee procedures, and makes recommendations to the Board of Managers.
  • Nominating Committee: nominates individuals to the Board of Managers and officers of the organization.

You can visit our Governance page to see current chairs, commission and committee members, and review our ABCWI Bylaws.

Regional Involvement and other ABCUSA Partnerships in Wisconsin and Beyond

Currently, ABCWI is a member of the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Council of Churches and we contribute through leadership and board involvement as well as finances. We financially support the missions of Project Focal Point in Milwaukee, Milwaukee Community Crossroads, and Campus Ministries at UW Milwaukee, Madison, and La Crosse.

Other ABCUSA Partnerships in Wisconsin include: Housing Ministries of Wisconsin, Green Lake Conference Center (American Baptist Assembly), Tudor Oaks Retirement Community (American Baptist Homes of the Midwest), and Ottawa University/Wisconsin.

While we no longer have the Wisconsin campus of Central Baptist Theological Seminary on site, we have a continued relationship with Central Seminary (especially the Antioch Center mentioned above) and other American Baptist related seminaries and colleges. .

We also have a number of institutional and community chaplains and ministers ordained American Baptist and serving in hospitals, assisted living centers, and college/university settings.

Publications

The Wisconsin Baptist is a two-page bulletin-sized insert with an article and a few highlights of regional events and news published monthly. The Synergy E-News contains more stories and links about local and national events, regional and denominational news, church stories, and much, much more. Both can be found on our website here. An annual directory of churches, pastors and ministry contacts is published by the regional office and distributed via email as a PDF.

HOW WE ORGANIZE REGION MINISTRY

About the American Baptist Churches USA

ABC-USA Mission & Focus

Mission Statement

American Baptists are a Christ-centered, biblically grounded, ethnically diverse people called to radical personal discipleship in Christ Jesus. Our commitment to Jesus propels us to nurture authentic relationships with one another; build healthy churches; transform our communities, our nations and our world; engage every member in hands-on ministry; and speak the prophetic word in love.

As a people of prayer, purpose, and passion, we are in the forefront of creating a community of faith where people of every race, nationality and culture gather as one in worship, service and work.

The heart of the gospel is God’s redemptive love. In our life together, the world will see the power of forgiveness to overcome alienation, the strength of love to transform hate, the power of grace to break the bonds of guilt, the triumph of hope over despair, and the victory of faith over doubt.

Through the cross of Christ we embrace the world as neighbor. Our vision for mission energizes a multitude of servant ministries of evangelism, discipleship, leadership, new church development, social justice, healing, peacemaking, economic development and education. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we work together in mutual submission, humility, love, and giving that the gospel might be preached and lived in all the world.

Focus Statement

American Baptist Churches are missional congregations that nurture devoted disciples of Jesus Christ who live their lives in mission and ministry for the healing of the world through the love of God.

Habakkuk 2:2 (NRSV-UE)

"Write the vision; make it plain."

ABC-USA Resources