From coast to coast, groups gathered during June to pay tribute to Stan Hastey for his excellent leadership and courageous stance in Baptist life during the 20 years he has lead the Alliance.

The receptions and accolades followed his announced retirement June 30, beginning with a banquet at the Alliance Convocation in Charlotte, N.C.

Another tribute was a reception at First Baptist Church, Washington, D.C., where interim pastor Randy Ashcraft spoke of Stan’s reputation as a inspiring and thoughtful leader. 

Robert Marus, First Baptist Church member and managing editor for Associated Baptist Press, spoke of his and Stan’s eight-year friendship as fellow members of First Baptist.

“Long before I met him in person, his reputation preceded him as one of the most courageous people in Baptist life in this country in the last 30 years. In the last several years I have seen viscerally how — while he has never compromised his call to speak prophetically to the powers and principalities of this world, whether they be denominational or governmental— Stan simultaneously has never compromised his demeanor as a gracious Christian gentleman (in the best sense of each of those words). He is a thinker, a writer, a speaker and — most importantly — a doer of the Word. I look forward to seeing how he will continue to use his keen gifts to serve Christ and others as he transitions into retirement,” Marus said.

The same week, the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty hosted a reception where appreciation for Stan was offered by Capitol Hill leaders in advocacy work. including, offered appreciation. “Stan is a wonderful friend, a thorough-going Baptist and a fierce advocate of religious liberty. They don't come any better than Stan,” said Brent Walker, Baptist Joint Committee executive director.

Others gathered to honor him on Capitol Hill included Alliance folks, long-time friends, Mavis Anderson of the Latin America Working Group, Sayyid M. Syeed, national director of the Islamic Society of North America, and Martin Shupack of Church World Service.
 
Shupack spoke of his work with Stan on their ecumenical efforts to end the restrictions on religious travel to Cuba. “Stan was present for most of our meetings with U.S. State Department officials and members of Congress, and he always presented a compelling picture of the damage being done to church relationships and mission by the harsh and self-defeating U.S. travel ban. I'll miss Stan's commitment and wisdom, and wish him the best in his new stage of life,” Shupack said.

Anderson also acknowledged how much she will miss Stan’s contribution: Stan has been — and will continue to be — a friend and colleague whose values direct his actions. The Alliance of Baptists' priorities are also Stan’s:  siding with the poor, pursuing justice with and for the oppressed, caring for the earth, and working for peace.  His work on Cuba policy has supported and advanced efforts to end the embargo on Cuba. He will be missed in day-to-day work, but we know we can still count on Stan to join efforts to promote peace and justice. 

At the end of June, Stan was honored in Pasadena, Calif., with The Randle R. Mixon Award for Christian Service that is given to an individual whose work has helped to increase the inclusion and affirmation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons within Baptist bodies and society as a whole. Receiving the award on behalf of Stan was Tom McKibbens, pastor of FBC, Worcester, Mass. “Stan, in his graciousness,” McKibbens said, “felt that the award was for the entire Alliance of Baptists, and in a broad sense it was.  But AWAB specifically wanted to honor Stan, who has unfailingly advocated for sexual minorities in articulate writing, moving addresses, and consistent action.  I congratulated AWAB on their wise choice of an honoree, and joined them in celebrating the work of Stan Hastey in this crucial area of ministry.”
   
You may join all those who have celebrated Stan Hastey coast-to-coast by becoming a member of the Hastey Society. The Society was established as a means to continue the life’s work and ministry of our dear friend and leader. Your contribution will sustain the continued vision of the Alliance to be the progressive voice of Baptist life in a rapidly changing world.