KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (ABNS 3/4/25)—American Baptist Churches USA is thrilled to announce that Dr. Raimundo Barreto has been named the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Luke Mowbray Ecumenical Award! This esteemed award honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to ecumenical work, fostering Christian unity at the local, state, national, or international level.

Rev. Dr. Gina C. Jacobs-Strain, general secretary of American Baptist Churches USA, said, “Dr Barreto passionately shares the love of Christ as he engages in ecumenism and strengthens  interfaith relationships. We are grateful for his ministry, advocacy, and scholarship. We are excited to honor him with the Luke Mowbray Ecumenical Award.

Throughout his career, Dr. Barreto has been deeply committed to building bridges among Christian traditions, advocating for justice, and promoting a vision of the church that is inclusive, just, and united in its mission to serve the world. His work has been instrumental in strengthening ecumenical relationships, fostering interfaith dialogue, and equipping others to engage in transformative ministry.

Currently serving as Associate Professor of World Christianity at Princeton Theological Seminary, Barreto has been a faculty member since 2014, shaping the next generation of Christian leaders through his teaching and scholarship. Prior to his academic tenure, he served as Director of the Division on Freedom and Justice for the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) from 2010 to 2014, where he worked to advance global religious freedom and social justice initiatives.

The Committee on Christian Unity and Interfaith Relations has chosen to recognize Barreto for his outstanding contributions to the cause of ecumenism. Established in 1974 by Edna Mowbray in memory of her late husband, Luke Mowbray, this award continues to uphold their shared commitment to Christian unity and collaboration. Since its inception, the Luke Mowbray Ecumenical Award has been presented to 26 distinguished individuals whose work has strengthened ecumenical relationships and promoted unity within the Christian faith.

Barreto’s passion for ecumenism extends beyond the classroom. A prolific writer, he has authored and contributed to numerous books, journal articles, and publications on ecumenism, furthering dialogue among Christian communities worldwide. He has also played a key role in three national Baptist-Muslim Dialogue events, working to combat Islamophobia in the United States and promote greater interfaith understanding.

His academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Religion and Society from Princeton Theological Seminary (2006), a Master of Divinity from McAfee School of Theology, Mercer University (1999), and a Bachelor of Theology from Seminário Teológico Batista do Norte do Brasil (1993). His extensive experience in theological education, advocacy, and ecumenical engagement has left a profound impact on the global church community.

The Luke Mowbray Ecumenical Award will be formally presented at the ABCUSA Committee on Christian Unity and Interfaith Relations Dinner on Thursday, July 3, 2025, during the American Baptist Churches USA 2025 Biennial Mission Summit in Omaha, Nebraska.

We invite all to join us in celebrating Dr. Raimundo Barreto’s remarkable achievements and his unwavering commitment to advancing Christian unity!

American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.