The Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley has recently been named the recipient of the 2025 Edwin T. Dahlberg Peace and Justice Award by the American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS).

Medley served as the general secretary of the American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) from 2002 to 2015. During that time, he led the denomination’s “Transformed by the Spirit Initiative,” which encouraged churches to do transformational work in their communities. 

According to an ABHMS release, Medley’s work inspired “countless others with his advocacy for peace, justice, and reconciliation.” Additionally, Medley has been a leader in interfaith dialogue. He co-founded “Shoulder to Shoulder,” an initiative that brings adherents of the three Abrahamic faiths together to fight growing Islamophobia in the United States. His interfaith work also extended into North Africa and Southeast Asia.

According to the Rev. Dr. Jamie Washam, current ABHMS Board of Directors president, Medley led the denomination “with vision and humility.” Washam added, “In ‘retirement,’ he continues to work toward racial reconciliation and fosters respectful interfaith relationships with his characteristic gentle spirit and subtle wit.”

The award is named after Edwin T. Dahlberg, president of ABCUSA in the late 1940s who helped launch multiple Baptist peacemaking organizations. Dahlberg was the recipient of the Gandhi Peace Award. It will be presented to Medley in July at the 2025 ABCUSA Biennial Mission Summit, held in Omaha, Nebraska.

More information on American Baptist Home Mission Societies can be found here.

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