United American Free Will Baptist Conference
Template:Infobox Christian denomination The United American Free Will Baptist Conference (UAFWBC) is a predominantly African-American, Free Will Baptist denomination founded in the United States.
History
Prior to emancipation, black slaves and free blacks were members of predominantly white, Free Will Baptist congregations in the United States. The first black Free Will Baptist minister was Robert Tash, ordained in 1827.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> African-Americans organized their first separate congregation in 1867 at Snow Hill in Greene County, North Carolina, the first annual conference in 1870, and the first association in 1887.<ref name=":0" /> The General Conference of United Free Will Baptists was formed in 1901. The United American Free Will Baptist Conference, was created in 1968 under the leadership of O. L. Williams of Lakeland, Florida, resulting from a division in the parent United American Free Will Baptist Church.<ref>The Twelve Tribe of Baptists in the USA, Wardin, p. 85</ref><ref>Dictionary of Baptists in America, Leonard, p. 273</ref>
In 2007 the United American Free Will Baptist Conference had seventy-five congregations with approximately 11,200 members, mostly in Florida, but also in South Carolina, Louisiana, and Arkansas.<ref>The Twelve Tribe of Baptists in the USA, Wardin, p. 85</ref> In addition to the annual meeting of the general conference, there are six regional conferences that meet annually: South Carolina Annual Conference, Louisiana/Arkansas Annual Conference, East Florida Annual Conference, West Florida Annual Conference, the South Florida "A" Annual Conference, and South Florida "B" Annual Conference.
Organization
The United American Free Will Baptist Conference is led by its general bishop,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> an executive board, and college of bishops.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Doctrine
The United American Free Will Baptists have an affirmation of faith, based upon the Nicene and Apostles' creeds; the denomination also adopts a church covenant.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Additionally, the UAFWBC contains an extensive doctrinal statement.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> While congregationalist, the denomination's offices are structured as bishops or elders, and deacons; and the denomination has female pastors.
References
Further reading
- Baptists Around the World, by Albert W. Wardin, Jr., 1995
- Dictionary of Baptists in America, Bill J. Leonard, editor, 1994
- International Circle of Faith Colleges and Seminaries
- The Twelve Tribe of Baptists in the USA, by Albert W. Wardin, Jr., 2007