Christianity: Details about 'National Missionary Baptist Convention Of America'
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The National Missionary Baptist Convention of America is an African-American Baptist association that serves as a means of fellowship and cooperation in missionary, benevolent and educational enterprises for its churches. On November 15, 1988, in a meeting held in Dallas, Texas with Dr. S. J. Gilbert, Sr. as the convenor and Dr. S. M. Wright, as the host pastor, several members from the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. formed the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America (NMBCA). Differences of opinion over the governance and structure of the National Baptist Publishing Board and National Baptist Sunday Church School and 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 Foreign Mission Baptist Convention in 1880, and considers the 1988 organization a "restoration". Dr. S. M. Lockridge of San Diego, California was elected first president of the Convention and served until his retirement in 1994. After Lockridge's retirement, ensuing elections were contested and became heated. A party led by Dr. H. J. Johnson of Dallas, Texas withdrew and formed the Institutional Missionary Baptist Conference of America in 1998/1999. Succeeding Presidents in the NMBCA were: Dr. S. M. Wright of Dallas, Texas, who died shortly after his election, prior to his installation, and Dr. W. T. Snead, Sr. of Los Angeles, California. The Convention meets three times a year. The September meeting is considered the "Annual Session". Headquarters are in Los Angeles, California, which is the home base of the current president, Dr. Melvin Von Wade, Sr. The greatest strength is in California and Texas. According to the 2002 National Missionary Baptist Convention of America Journal, there were 14 state conventions, 39 district associations, and 260 churches. Churches in a geographical area (e.g., southern California) or a political subdivision (e.g., 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 80,000. Work is carried on through numerous auxiliaries and boards, including benevolent, educational, foreign mission, evangelical and mission boards. President Wade was elected in 2002-2003 in Chicago, Illinois. References
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