Tom Allen and Josh Speight received awards at CBF’s ChurchWorks conference this year.  As Baptist leaders, Tom and Josh represent dedication and growth in Fellowship communities.

Dr. Tom Allen receiving the Jack Naish Distinguished Christian Educator Award

Presented each year to a Fellowship Baptist who exemplifies the dedication to educational ministry that Jack Naish’s legacy represents, the Jack Naish Distinguished Christian Educator Award was awarded this year to Dr. Tom Allen.  Tom works as the Minister of Education and Administration at First Baptist Church in Southern Pines, NC.  Bo Prosser, CBF’s Coordinator for Missional Congregations, acknowledges Tom’s “exemplary” work as deserving of this recognition.

“His commitment to the ministry of Christian Education and Faith Formation is certainly in-line with the rich legacy of Jack Naish,” Bo said.

Besides his continued work at FBC-Southern Pines, Tom did his doctoral work, focusing on Baptist-Jewish communication, in ecumenical relations.  He was also on the Ecumenical Task Force that brought together Christian communities, forging relationships into what became Christian Churches Together.

Tom notes the affirmation involved in receiving this award, and he recognizes the impact of his connection with CBF in his own ministry.

“The core values of CBF offer an invaluable reference point for everything,” Tom said.  These values are reflected in “the way we do worship, where we invest our time and money in missions, and how we go about selecting educational resources.”

Josh Speight

Another award presented each year at the ChurchWorks conference is given to a Fellowship Baptist who represents a growing relationship and leadership with CBF.  Josh Speight received the Young Baptist Leadership Award this year.  Josh, the Associate Coordinator for Missions with the Kentucky Baptist Fellowship, focuses on mission work both locally and worldwide, especially through CBF’s rural poverty initiative Together for Hope.  Through involvement with CBF in this work, Josh said his view of mission has shifted to a theology of abundance rather than scarcity.

“My goal is to move churches and individuals to work toward serving one another and serving our God with the gifts and resources already available to each one of us presently,” he said.  “Rather than focusing on what we could do once we have the right amount of money or the right people or the right buildings.”

Josh Speight receiving the Young Baptist Leadership Award

Serving this past year as chair of the Current Steering Committee, Josh’s leadership in the Fellowship also involves past service on the steering team for the ChurchWorks conference and help with General Assembly planning.  Affirming of Josh’s developing leadership with the Fellowship, Bo Prosser acknowledges his gifts to the CBF community.

“He represents the best in young Baptist leadership serving faithfully and unselfishly.”