National Missionary Baptist Convention of America

The National Missionary Baptist Convention of America (NMBCA), also known as the National Missionary Baptist Convention (NMBC), is a predominantly African American Baptist Christian denomination. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas,<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the National Missionary Baptists—claiming continuity as the convention of R.H. Boyd—were formed in 1988. The convention is currently led by Dr. Anthony Sharp, I as president.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

History

The National Missionary Baptist Convention of America was formed during a meeting attended by Dr. S. J. Gilbert, Sr. and Dr. S. M. Wright, along with several leaders and members from the National Baptist Convention of America.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref> The meeting was held between November 14–15, 1988 at the People's Missionary Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas primarily concerning the relationship with the National Baptist Publishing Board (now known as the R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Reverend S.M. Lockridge of San Diego was elected as the first president of the newly-formed denomination, and served until his retirement in 1994. After Lockridge's retirement, elections have been held, and he was succeeded by the following presidents since 2018: Dr. S.M. Wright, Dr. W.T. Snead, Sr., Dr. Melvin V. Wade, Dr. C.C. Robertson, Dr. Nehemiah Davis, and Dr. Anthony Sharp, I.

A party led by Dr. H. J. Johnson in Dallas withdrew and formed the Institutional Missionary Baptist Conference of America from 1998–1999. This followed Johnson's unsuccessful campaign for the presidency, which was won by Dr. W.T. Snead, Sr.

From January 24–28, 2005, the National Missionary Baptists collaborated with the National Baptist Convention, USA; the National Baptist Convention of America; and the Progressive National Baptist Convention on establishing a joint agenda.<ref name="bostonzoll">Template:Cite news</ref> From January 22–25, 2024, the NMBCA joined with the other three prominent Black Baptist denominations again as the National Baptist Joint Board Session.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Statistics

As of 2024, the convention claims more than 400,000 members spread throughout the United States of America.<ref name=":0" /> According to the Association of Religion Data Archives in 2020, the NMBCA maintains a large presence in California, Texas, the Southeast, and portions of the Midwest.<ref name=":1" />

The same Association of Religion Data Archives, in its 2010 report of US religions, stated that the NMBCA numbered 1,283 congregations and 213,275 members.<ref name="us-religion-census-2010" /> In the following survey, in 2020, it reported far larger numbers: 7,564 congregations and 2,428,820 members.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Christian denominations education channel Ready to Harvest disputes the 2020 numbers and suggests they are the result of a simple transcription error.<ref name="RtH-error-video">Template:Cite AV media</ref>

Organization

As a part of the Baptist Christian tradition, the National Missionary Baptists operate congregationally, while meeting during sessions throughout the year, similar to a presbytery. The convention is governed by the National Missionary Baptist Executive Committee, which consists of: the president; vice president-at-large, and the vice presidents of boards, auxiliaries, ecumenical affairs, financial affairs, state presidents and moderators; the general secretary; corresponding secretary; treasurer; director of communications and public relations; and the president and CEO of the National Baptist Publishing Board.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The boards of the convention include the Evangelical Board; Foreign Mission Board; Educational Board; Commission Board; and Home Mission Board.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Its auxiliaries include the Ministers Conference, Ministers' Wives and Widows, Senior Women, Junior Women, Nurses' Corps, Ushers', Brotherhood Union, Youth Convention, Intergenerational Women, and the Spirit of Timothy.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The convention also has several departments.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Sources

• Baptists Around the World, by Albert W. Wardin, Jr.
• Handbook of Denominations, 11th Edition, by Frank S. Mead, Samuel S. Hill, & Craig D. Atwood Template:ISBN

External links

• National Missionary Baptist Convention of America - official Web Site