Baptist Leader Roy Medley Receives Award for Interfaith Dialogue and Advocacy

Rev. A. Roy Medley, a former leader of the American Baptist Churches of the United States, has been honored with the denomination’s Edwin T. Dahlberg Award for his lifelong commitment to racial reconciliation, interfaith dialogue, and religious liberty. The award, which recognizes individuals who defend people of all faiths and stand in solidarity with the oppressed, was presented in a context marked by significant historical events. Days before the announcement, former President Jimmy Carter had passed away, and the award ceremony coincided with the anniversary of the birth of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., just days before the inauguration of Donald Trump for a second term.

Medley, who retired in 2016 after 40 years of leading Baptist congregations in southern New Jersey, has spent his career bridging divides within and beyond his denomination. His advocacy extends to both Christians and Rohingya Muslims facing persecution in Myanmar, where extremist Buddhist groups and the military have targeted Muslim communities. In 2010, Medley co-founded the Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign, a group of 40 faith leaders working to combat Islamophobia in the United States.

The American Baptist Churches of the United States has a complex history in Myanmar, dating back to the 19th century when missionaries established schools and hospitals. However, Indigenous Burmese scholars have criticized this legacy for undermining traditional values and promoting Western imperialism. Medley has sought to address this history by aligning the denomination’s efforts with the suffering of local communities.

Medley’s commitment to interfaith dialogue has earned him respect among Muslim scholars. Mohamed Elsanousi, executive director of the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers, noted that Medley is “very much loved by Muslim scholars” for his advocacy of religious freedom and his support for the Rohingya Muslims.

Following the 9/11 attacks, Medley became general secretary of ABCUSA, feeling a call to reconcile American Baptists with Muslims both domestically and internationally. His work reflects a broader effort to address religious persecution and promote solidarity across faiths.

Source: Read the original report