NEW DIRECTOR LOOKING FOR THINKERS

Ray Montgomery is looking for a particular kind of student in his new post as ABSW’s director of recruitment.

“We develop theological thinkers,” he says. “In the words of Dr. J. Alfred Smith, ‘We need to get out of the lazy rocking chair of religion.’ And in the words of our president, Dr. Keith Russell, ‘We must learn to wrestle and struggle, moan and groan, with every aspect of the gospel in order to be theologically competent.’”

Wrestle and struggle? Moan and groan?

That’s the adventure of theological education at ABSW, which Montgomery knows well. He graduated with a master of divinity degree in May, receiving the J. Alfred Smith Sr. Award for Outstanding Ministry in the Black Church.

To find this particular kind of student, Montgomery is enlisting the help of local churches, faculty, trustees, current students and alumni. “Who can tell our story better than those who have experienced it firsthand?” he asks.

Montgomery comes to ABSW with significant business experience. For four years, he managed client investment portfolios at Bank of America. Previously, he oversaw operations of a group of Bay Area McDonald’s restaurants. In addition, he spent nearly 10 years in medical product and pharmaceutical sales.

Montgomery is also experienced in church leadership. From 1998-2005, he served as an associate minister at Emmanuel Baptist Church in San José, Calif. During his middler year at ABSW, he was minister of discipleship at Antioch Baptist Church, also in San José, with responsibilities in preaching, teaching, congregational and community care. Now he has returned to Emmanuel as minister of youth and discipleship.

With a bachelor of science degree in economics from Florida A&M University, Montgomery is counting on results at ABSW. He sees new students becoming “highly trained theological thinkers” – leaders, he says, “who are able to apply an experienced contemporary and contextual theology that helps meet the needs of a postmodern society.”

Contact Ray Montgomery at 510-841-1905 ext. 229 or rmontgomery@absw.edu to learn more about ABSW or refer a prospective student.