National Missionary Baptist Convention of America Information
The National Missionary Baptist Convention of America is an African-American Baptist convention which combined the efforts of Missionary Baptist churches and organizations throughout the country with the goal of unity for capable and efficient ministry. The NMBCA also seeks to propagate Baptist beliefs, doctrines, practices and distinct moral principles. The convention consists of four boards (education, evangelical, home mission, foreign mission) and 10 auxiliaries (Ministers, Ministers' Wives & Widows, Brotherhood, Brotherhood II, Women's Missionary Union, Women's Missionary Union # 2, Junior Women, Ushers, and Nurses Corp). In addition the Convention has a Benevolence Board and Praise Team.
On November 14-15, 1988, in a meeting held at the People's Missionary Baptist Church, Incorporated, in Dallas, Texas with Dr. S. J. Gilbert, Sr. as the convenor and Dr. S. M. Wright, as the host pastor, several leaders and members from the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. formed the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America (NMBCA). They separated over differences of opinion over the relationship of the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. and the National Baptist Publishing Board (now known as the R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation); the National Baptist Sunday School; and the Baptist Training Union Congress, brought about the division. The new body gained the support of existing state conventions in California, Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma and Indiana, and has formed others. The NMBCA traces its origins to the formation of the black Foreign Mission Baptist Convention in 1880. (This united with two other conventions to become the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. in 1895.) It considers the 1988 organization a "restoration".
The Rev. S.M. Lockridge of San Diego was elected as the first president of the newly formed convention and served until his retirement in 1994. After Dr. Lockridge's retirement, elections were held. Succeeding Presidents in the NMBCA were: Dr. S. M. Wright of Dallas, Texas, who died shortly after his election prior to his installation; Dr. W. T. Snead, Sr. of Los Angeles, California; and Dr. Melvin Von Wade, Sr., also of Los Angeles.
A party led by Dr. H. J. Johnson of Dallas, Texas withdrew and formed the Institutional Missionary Baptist Conference of America in 1998/1999. This followed Johnson's unsuccessful campaign for the presidency, which was won by Dr. W.T. Snead, Sr.
The Convention meets three times a year - a Winter Board Meeting, generally held the week after the fourth Sunday in February; the Summer Board Meeting, a one-day session held during the week of the National Baptist Sunday Church School and Baptist Training Union Congress, sponsored by the R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation of Nashville, TN, and in September. The September five-day meeting is considered the Annual Session, held the week after the first Sunday.
Headquarters are generally considered to travel with the President. Currently it is in Dallas, Texas, which is the home base of the president, Dr. C.C. Robertson, pastor of the Bexar Street Missionary Baptist Church, who was elected in September 2006. The greatest strength in membership of the convention is in California and Texas. According to the 2007 National Missionary Baptist Convention of America Journal, there were 14 state conventions (Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Northwest - Oregon & Washington, Tennessee, Texas (2), and Washington), 39 district associations, and over 500 churches as members.
Churches in a geographical area (e.g., southern California) or a political subdivision (e.g., city/county) organize a district-level association as a means of cooperation. Churches within a state may also organize for state-level cooperation. Both the state and district associations relate to and work with the National Convention to carry on related ministries.
Church membership is an estimated 1,000,000.
Current leadership
Currently the convention is led by Dr. C.C. Robertson, President. Dr. Robertson is the pastor of the Bexar Street Baptist Church in Dallas, TX, who is completing his second term as President. Dr. Nehemiah Davis of Fort Worth, TX is the Vice President at Large. Presidents are selected every four years.
External links
- National Missionary Baptist Convention of America - official Web Site
References
- Baptists Around the World, by Albert W. Wardin, Jr.
- Handbook of Denominations, 11th Edition, by Frank S. Mead, Samuel S. Hill, & Craig D. Atwood ISBN 0-687-06983-1
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Categories:
- Predominantly African American Christian denominations
- Religious organizations established in 1988
- Baptist denominations in North America
- Baptist denominations and unions established in the 20th century
- Members of the National Council of Churches
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