Letter from the editor
Photograph by Glenn Carstens-Peters via Unsplash
Curtis Ramsey-Lucas
Dear Reader,
With gratitude, I write to share that I will be stepping down as editor of The Christian Citizen.
Over the years, this publication has been more than a magazine — it has been a space for dialogue, imagination, and hope. Together, we have explored how faith intersects with the urgent issues of our day, how discipleship shapes civic life, and how the gospel compels us to act for justice, mercy, and peace. It has been a blessing to walk this path with you.
One of the guiding convictions in my work has been the idea of creating “space for grace” — where stories can be told, questions asked, and truth spoken with humility and courage.
That conviction has animated our coverage and guided our writers as they offered reflections from their ministries and communities. Grace makes room for difference, reconciliation, and new beginnings. It is in that spirit of grace-filled transition that I now share the news of my successor.
I am delighted to announce that Rev. Dr. Anna Piela, who has served faithfully as associate editor, will become the new editor of The Christian Citizen. While I will continue to provide leadership and oversight for the publication in my capacity as Director of Marketing & Communications at ABHMS, Dr. Piela will be responsible for the editorial direction of the publication. Dr. Piela is a gifted scholar and writer whose voice and vision will carry this publication forward. She has already helped to shape our editorial direction, bringing insight, compassion, and a keen awareness of the challenges and opportunities facing faith communities today. I am confident that under her leadership, The Christian Citizen will continue to flourish and serve the church and the world.
Transitions remind us that while roles and responsibilities change, the work of the gospel continues. New voices emerge, new stories are told, and the Spirit moves among us in surprising ways.
As I step aside, my gratitude is deep — for the writers who have shared their wisdom, for the staff who have labored with dedication, and for you, our readers, whose engagement makes this work meaningful. Thank you for reading, sharing, and supporting this ministry of word and witness.
Looking ahead, I invite you to continue participating in this journey of creating space for grace. A unique opportunity awaits in 2026, when ABHMS Societies will convene the next Space for Grace and Spiritual Caregivers Conference in Cleveland, Ohio, April 21–23. This gathering will bring together faith leaders and spiritual caregivers to reflect on the power of storytelling and find renewal for their ministry work. It will be a time to rest in God’s grace, learn from one another, and return to our communities strengthened. I encourage you to mark your calendars and join us.
Transitions remind us that while roles and responsibilities change, the work of the gospel continues. New voices emerge, new stories are told, and the Spirit moves among us in surprising ways. My prayer is that The Christian Citizen will remain for you what it has been for me: a trusted companion on the journey of faith and public life, a space where grace is not only spoken about but lived into.
With gratitude,
Curtis
Curtis Ramsey-Lucas is director of Marketing & Communications, American Baptist Home Mission Societies.
The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of American Baptist Home Mission Societies.
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