As the Board of the Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists announces the resignation of Executive Director, Rev. Robin Lunn, they offer thanks for her dedication and leadership.

Rev. Lunn has served in leadership roles at AWAB since 2007, when she joined the Board.

She transitioned to her staff role as Executive Director in 2010, and has led the organization as it grew to a network of one hundred Baptist Churches and other organizations that affirm and welcome God’s LGBTQ children.

In her time as an AWAB leader, Rev. Lunn has visited more than a hundred congregations in dozens of states, helped guide congregations through discernment processes about making a public stand for LGBTQ people, and advocated for LGBTQ Baptists in local churches, denominations, and in the public square.

Rev. Betsy Sowers, a member of Old Cambridge Baptist Church, says,

Robin has a wonderful ministry at AWAB and has made a real difference in our churches and our world. It’s a privilege to know Robin and to have shared in a small way in AWAB’s justice work.

Rev. Lunn’s service at AWAB will culminate with AWAB’s ground-breaking presence at the American Baptist Churches Mission Summit, the biennial national gathering of that denomination, June 26-28 in Kansas City.

Rev. Lunn’s ministry with AWAB has also made its mark on colleagues and partner organizations across the Baptist movement and beyond.

Dr. Michael J. Adee of the Horizons Foundation Global Faith & Justice Project says,

Thank you to Rev. Lunn for her inspired and inspiring leadership and service within and through AWAB and the welcoming church movement… She is a great gift to LGBT faith and justice work. I give thanks for her and all the ways she makes a difference.

Alison Amyx, Senior Editor at Believe Out Loud, says:

It has been a joy to watch the growth of AWAB under Robin’s leadership, and I am eager to see what lies ahead for both Robin and the organization as we work to achieve justice for all in Baptist churches and communities.

In the months to come, the AWAB Board will celebrate Robin’s contributions and plan for the next phase of AWAB’s ministry. Rev. David Weasley, AWAB Board Chair says,

We are so grateful for Robin’s years of hard work. And we are so excited for where AWAB stands today, and hopeful for the work that God still calls us to! I hope the whole AWAB community will join us at the ABC Mission Summit to celebrate the fulfillment of Robin’s ministry, and I ask the community to keep us in their prayers in this time of transition.

Rev. Lunn will continue in ministry and in the movement for the full rights of LGBTQ people.

She says:

This work of expanding places of inclusion for LGBTQQIA/SGL/Two Spirits people and our allies within the Baptist community: it is sacred and holy work. It is hard and often frustrating work, but it is also a calling like no other… Regardless of where I am called next I remain passionate about this calling and will continue to be a witness for the Beloved Community where all will be one.