Jesus Says "I am the light of the world" John 8:12
Jesus also says "You are the light of the world." Matthew 5:14
ABCNYS 2026 Biennial October 9-10, 2026
Kenmore Baptist Church,
10 Wardman Rd, Kenmore, NY 14217
Kenmore Baptist Church,
10 Wardman Rd, Kenmore, NY 14217
AS OF OCTOBER 2nd, REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.
SEE YOU IN BUFFALO!
NOTE: Below are buttons you can click through for the Schedule, etc..
NOTE: The "MAP" of the area document is still being prepared! We will share the parking suggestions, etc., closer to the Biennial!
An invitation to you from the Planning Board of ABCNYS Biennial:
The ABCNYS 2026 Biennial Planning Committee extends this invitation to join us at the upcoming biennial gathering in Kenmore, NY. The theme is Shine the Light. It is based on texts found in Genesis, John, and Matthew. In Genesis God creates and establishes light that He finds to be good.
In Genesis 1:3-4, we read, "Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness." (NLT)
Later Jesus declares that He is the “light of the world” and that He makes it possible for us to have the light that leads to life.
John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to the people once more and said “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (NLT)
Last, we hear Jesus say to those (we) who follow Him that they (we) are the “light of the world” and to let their (our) good deeds, like light, shine for all to see so that they praise their (our) heavenly Father.
Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on its stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." (NLT)
Brothers and sisters, let’s gather and begin our journey of Shining the Light of our Lord Jesus Christ. We will Shine the Light for ourselves; Shine the Light for the world; Shine the Light individually and collectively. Finally, we will Shine the Light wherever we are – home, church, work, play. We will always Shine the Light of our Lord."
The ABCNYS 2026 Biennial Planning Committee extends this invitation to join us at the upcoming biennial gathering in Kenmore, NY. The theme is Shine the Light. It is based on texts found in Genesis, John, and Matthew. In Genesis God creates and establishes light that He finds to be good.
In Genesis 1:3-4, we read, "Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness." (NLT)
Later Jesus declares that He is the “light of the world” and that He makes it possible for us to have the light that leads to life.
John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to the people once more and said “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (NLT)
Last, we hear Jesus say to those (we) who follow Him that they (we) are the “light of the world” and to let their (our) good deeds, like light, shine for all to see so that they praise their (our) heavenly Father.
Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on its stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." (NLT)
Brothers and sisters, let’s gather and begin our journey of Shining the Light of our Lord Jesus Christ. We will Shine the Light for ourselves; Shine the Light for the world; Shine the Light individually and collectively. Finally, we will Shine the Light wherever we are – home, church, work, play. We will always Shine the Light of our Lord."
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED (10/2/26)
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Click here to download the schedule!
AGENDA FOR BUSINESS MEETING (10/10 at 1:15 PM)
Click here to download agenda!
PRE-BIENNIAL MISSION TEAM with Community Missions of Niagara Frontier Click here for information!
WORKSHOPS (Saturday morning and afternoon)
Click here for workshop descriptions to help you choose!
LODGING
Click here for lodging info!
MAP FOR THE AREA
Click here for area parking map and suggestions for best places to park!
Parking behind the church is RESERVED for those with accessibility needs. This includes not just those spaces ordinarily assigned for handicapped parking.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Click here to download the schedule!
AGENDA FOR BUSINESS MEETING (10/10 at 1:15 PM)
Click here to download agenda!
PRE-BIENNIAL MISSION TEAM with Community Missions of Niagara Frontier Click here for information!
WORKSHOPS (Saturday morning and afternoon)
Click here for workshop descriptions to help you choose!
LODGING
Click here for lodging info!
MAP FOR THE AREA
Click here for area parking map and suggestions for best places to park!
Parking behind the church is RESERVED for those with accessibility needs. This includes not just those spaces ordinarily assigned for handicapped parking.
NOTICE OF DELEGATE NUMBERS PER CONGREGATION:
Each member church exceeding thirteen (13) resident members as reported in the last ABC/NYS annual may have as delegates for ABC/NYS meetings the pastor and one (1) other person plus an additional delegate for each full one hundred (100) resident members, provided, however, that the congregation is also reported as contributing to the basic mission program of the American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A. (ABC/NYS Bylaws Article III. Section 3.6)
Each member church exceeding thirteen (13) resident members as reported in the last ABC/NYS annual may have as delegates for ABC/NYS meetings the pastor and one (1) other person plus an additional delegate for each full one hundred (100) resident members, provided, however, that the congregation is also reported as contributing to the basic mission program of the American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A. (ABC/NYS Bylaws Article III. Section 3.6)
2026 Biennial Planning Committee
Delma West, ABCNYS Vice President, Chairperson, Spencer Federated (Broome-Tioga)
Lydia Widbin, Bottskill Baptist and Lakeville Baptist (Adirondack)
Hector Mesa, Jr., FBC Hoosick Falls (Capital Area Baptist)
David L. Harris, ABCNYS Treasurer, Sennett Federated Church (Iroquois)
Paul Bailey, retired pastor (Iroquois)
Phil Pratt, Falconer Baptist Church (Chautauqua)
Mark Slomiski, The United Church of Canandaigua (Finger Lakes)
Marsha Bolton Rivers, Gaines Carlton and FBC Albion (WEGO)
Brian Wheeler, Host Pastor, Kenmore Baptist Church (NABA)
Jonathan David Lawrence, Faculty (Canisius College) and Niagara Area Baptist Association Moderator
Geri Daniels, Shiloh Baptist (Buffalo) and ABWM Niagara Erie
Jerrod Hugenot, Executive Minister, staff
Cheryl Frank, Associate Executive Minister, staff
Stephanie Schneider, ABY Program Director, staff, Pastor, Village Baptist, Ft Edward & FBC Glens Falls (Adirondacks)
Local Arrangements Committee: Jonathan David Lawrence, Brian Wheeler, Janice Glenn, and Geri Daniels
Delma West, ABCNYS Vice President, Chairperson, Spencer Federated (Broome-Tioga)
Lydia Widbin, Bottskill Baptist and Lakeville Baptist (Adirondack)
Hector Mesa, Jr., FBC Hoosick Falls (Capital Area Baptist)
David L. Harris, ABCNYS Treasurer, Sennett Federated Church (Iroquois)
Paul Bailey, retired pastor (Iroquois)
Phil Pratt, Falconer Baptist Church (Chautauqua)
Mark Slomiski, The United Church of Canandaigua (Finger Lakes)
Marsha Bolton Rivers, Gaines Carlton and FBC Albion (WEGO)
Brian Wheeler, Host Pastor, Kenmore Baptist Church (NABA)
Jonathan David Lawrence, Faculty (Canisius College) and Niagara Area Baptist Association Moderator
Geri Daniels, Shiloh Baptist (Buffalo) and ABWM Niagara Erie
Jerrod Hugenot, Executive Minister, staff
Cheryl Frank, Associate Executive Minister, staff
Stephanie Schneider, ABY Program Director, staff, Pastor, Village Baptist, Ft Edward & FBC Glens Falls (Adirondacks)
Local Arrangements Committee: Jonathan David Lawrence, Brian Wheeler, Janice Glenn, and Geri Daniels
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