Rev. Naung graduated from BST with his Master of Divinity, was ordained in 2024, and is Pastor of the Washington Kachin Baptist Church which meets at Panther Lake Community Church in Kent, Washington. On December 29, 2024, Rev. Naung performed his first baptisms. Initially, the baptism candidates were a group of youths from Washington Kachin Baptist Church, and grew to include members of the Karen Community Church of Greater Seattle. The December 29 service included 12 baptisms performed by the three pastors, special music, scripture readings in English, Karen, and Kachin, a sermon, communion, and a celebratory lunch. The full story can be read in the latest edition of Evergreen Notes. Rev. Naung asks people to pray for the Kachin people, who suffer in great danger in a civil war.

We are delighted to spotlight Rev. Dr. Arlo R. Reichter (M.Div., ’71) as he celebrates his 55th graduation anniversary from Berkeley School of Theology! Since his ordination in 1971, Arlo has led a career of profound impact and dedicated service within the American Baptist Churches.

Arlo began his ministerial journey as an Associate Minister and then Co-Pastor at First Baptist Church of Los Angeles. During his time in California, he also served the broader community as the vice chairman of a study committee for the Los Angeles Unified School District. In 1983, he transitioned to Green Lake, Wisconsin, to serve as the Vice President of Program for the American Baptist Assembly.

His leadership eventually led him to the role of Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin. Throughout his tenure, Arlo remained a prominent champion for regional growth and a reflective voice of the church. His commitment to the next generation also shines through his decades of leadership with National Youth Gatherings.

We take great pride in Arlo’s 55 years of ministry and his steadfast commitment to Christian education and leadership. Please join us in celebrating his remarkable legacy and his continued contributions to our community!

On Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, Rev. Dr. Scott formally began as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill in Nashville, Tennessee. Prior to this position, for 12 years Rev. Dr. Scott served as Senior Pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church, in Watts (Los Angeles), California. A native of Franklin, Louisiana, and raised in Richmond, California, Dr. Scott graduated from Berkeley School of Theology in 2008 with a Master of Divinity degree. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion and Philosophy from Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and a Doctor of Ministry degree from New York Theological Seminary in New York City, New York. Dr. Scott also holds a certificate in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

Allison has been at Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church for nearly 25 years and is the Pastor of Public Witness. Her role entails education, advocacy, relationship building, partnerships, and public witness. Allison is also the National Coordinator of the Apartheid Free initiative, an interdenominational coalition of faith groups that are encouraging people to step away from any and all support to Israeli apartheid, occupation, and settler colonialism.