BWA ANNUAL GATHERING n BWA ANNUAL GATHERING n BWA ANNUAL GATHERING n BWA ANNUAL GATHERING n BWA ANNUAL Honorees Continued

Today” in 1964, and which remains, 50 years later, one of the most popular religious radio programs in Jamaica. He helped plant the seed for the establishment of National

Religious Media Company in 1993, operator of LOVE FM and LOVE TV, while serving as chair of the Churches’ Commission on Broadcasting of the Jamaica Council of Churches between 1968 and 1970. Russell also served several public bodies in Jamaica. He chaired the Jamaica National Heritage Trust, which oversees and works to protect and promote, Jamaica’s architectural and physical heritage; served on the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, which oversees and promotes Jamaica’s cultural heritage in the visual and performing arts and literature; the National Committee for Curriculum Development in Jamaican primary and secondary schools; the Public Service Commission,

which makes appointments and performs

regulatory functions for the Jamaica Civil Service; and of the Committee for Government Administrative Reform, tasked to recommend reforms to the civil service and the administration of government. He was decorated by the government of Jamaica with the Commander of the Order of Distinction for his commitment to religion and the public service.

In 1990, Russell took up the positions of professor of

historical theology and dean of chapel at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (now Palmer Theological Seminary) near Philadelphia in the United States. He became Interim, and then, senior pastor of Saints Memorial Baptist Church near Philadelphia, for more than 20 years. An ecumenist, he was a member of the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches from 1968 to 1990, the first person from the Caribbean to do so, later becoming vice moderator of the Standing Commission. A prolific writer, some stemming from his own groundbreaking work in Caribbean church history, as well as in theology, mission, and ecumenism, he is author of books

rofessor . . . writer . . . ecumenist . . . and Caribbean pioneer who was at the forefront of forging a Caribbean theology for more than 50 years.

p

such as The Missionary Outreach of the West Indian Church, Foundations and anticipations: The Jamaica Baptist story: 1783-1892 and The Baptist witness: A Concise Baptist History. Russell holds professional status with the American

Society of Church History and the American Baptist Historical Society and has had long association with the Society for the Study of Black Religion, the Marcus Garvey Foundation and the World Association for Christian Communication. He has held lectureships and consultancies with, among others, Cam- bridge University in England, Andover-Newton Theological Seminary in Massachusetts, Michigan State University and the National Council of Churches USA. In 1992, he preached at Westminster Abbey in the United Kingdom at the Bicentenary celebrations of the Baptist Missionary Society. He is married to Beryl Redman for more than 55 years and blessed with children, Elisabeth, Heather and Jonathan.

10 BAPTIST WORLD MAGAZINE

Hans Guderian, Respected Servant of God

Hans Guderian was commended during the Baptist World Alliance Annual Gathering as a “respected servant of God” who is “an exemplary leader in the Baptist community, an enthusiastic servant of the Lord, a role model for Baptist pastors,” and a “living example of a cosmopolitan Baptist Christian worthy of emulation.” Married to Astrid Hanke since the early 1970s, a school teacher

and partner in his ministry, Guderian is committed “to the local church and the wider family of Christians in the global community.” He is a preacher of the gospel “whose sermons are informed by deep scriptural exegesis and sensitive awareness of challenges faced by worshippers” as well as a “trusted leader, effective bridge builder and unflagging peacemaker.”

He “worked tirelessly to prevent people from being isolated from

each other, never ceasing to advance the cause of breaking down walls between the affluent and the poor.” He is a keen observer and insightful analyst of German, European and global affairs who is “deeply committed to the integration of Eastern and Western Europe, investing much time and energy into building and maintaining relationships across the European divide, especially after the fall of the Berlin Wall.” Abandoning university studies in Mathematics and Physics,

Guderian answered the call to the ministry and commenced theological studies at the Baptist Seminary in Hamburg from 1971-1976. He served as pastor of Baptist churches in Munich from 1976-1979 and Augsburg between 1979 and 1988. He served as home mission secretary of German Baptists from 1988- 1996. During this time, he promoted innovative methods for church planting and church growth and was an influencer to a generation of Baptist pastors on the importance of ongoing theological study. In 1996, Guderian became general secretary of European Baptist Mission (EBM), serving until 2008. He worked tirelessly to nurture responsible partnership with EBM partners in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

After retiring from the EBM, Guderian returned to the local pastor-

ate in 2009, serving in Berlin “with fervor, diligence and enthusiasm.” He was also elected president of the European Baptist Federation. Guderian has served the BWA in a number of capacities over the years. He has had membership on its Executive Committee, the Membership Committee, the

Baptist World Aid Committee, the

Commission on Baptist Worship and Spirituality, the Commission on Doctrine and Unity, the World Evangelism Strategy Workgroup, the Mission and Evangelism Workgroup and International Mission Secretaries. He “offered thoughtful interventions in and outside BWA committee meetings, complemented by enthusiasm and joy.” Guderian’s memories and travel notes are available in his book,

Following God’s Steps Worldwide, published by Verlag Frank Fornaçon, in 2011.