In her new role, Rash will help make strategic decisions about the ministry of Alabama Baptists' state paper as well as provide executive leadership in implementing those decisions.
Since 2002, Rash has served as managing editor for the weekly publication, which has the largest circulation of Southern Baptist state papers and one of the largest circulations in Alabama. In that role, Rash has provided direction for the weekly production of the paper as well as overseeing the four-member editorial staff and a 50-plus-member correspondent network across the state.
Rash also is responsible for The Alabama Baptist Online and the social media aspects of the Baptist paper.
"Jennifer is one of the outstanding Christian journalists among Southern Baptists," Terry said in the paper's July 21 edition. "It is with great expectation for her continued contribution to the cause of Christ through Christian communications that she is appointed to this position."
Rash has served with the state Baptist paper since Jan. 1, 1996. After three years as a newswriter, she was promoted to news editor and then to managing editor. Prior to that, she served two and a half years with the International Mission Board as a short-term missionary assigned to Caribbean Christian Publications.
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Terry related that Rash recently had been offered the editorship of another major state Baptist paper. After much prayer, she decided that the Lord's will for her life was to continue her ministry in Alabama. Terry said the sister paper's invitation only confirmed Rash's abilities and the high regard in which she is held by others.
"The board of directors and I are grateful for her decision," Terry said, "and want to do all we can to help Jennifer continue to develop her leadership skills by providing opportunities for her to grow personally and professionally as a leader in Christian communications."
Rash has distinguished herself among Baptist communicators and beyond. She is a past president of Baptist Communicators Association, a Southern Baptist-related organization of media professionals. She also served on the planning committee for RCCongress 2010, a once-a-decade professional development and inspirational event that brings together communicators from scores of faith-based denominations and organizations.
Locally Rash is a member of the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama Roundtable and treasurer of the Birmingham chapter of Religion Communicators Council. She also is a member of Evangelical Press Association and Associated Church Press.
Among her many honors are awards for investigative reporting and news and feature writing as well as online and broadcasting work. She also has helped The Alabama Baptist win honors for outstanding regional Christian newspaper for more than 10 consecutive years.
Rash is an honors graduate of the University of Alabama, where she received the outstanding journalism student award both her junior and senior years. She also played in the Million Dollar Band and worked on the yearbook staff.
In 2007, Rash received a master of theological studies degree from Samford University's Beeson Divinity School.
She and her husband Jason, an elementary physical education teacher in Jefferson County, are members of NorthPark Baptist Church in Trussville where she serves on the personnel committee, among other responsibilities.
This article first appeared in The Alabama Baptist (www.thealabamabaptist.org).
Copyright (c) 2011 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press www.BPNews.net
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