Dr. Carroll A. Baltimore Sr. and members of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. (PNBC) will convene the 51st Progressive National Baptist Convention Annual Session at the Memphis Cook Convention Center Aug. 5-10, 2012. More than 4,000 delegates from around the world are expected to attend. The theme is “Securing Our Future: Prayer – A People of Progress.”
Some of the speakers include Baltimore, Church of God in Christ Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr., Dr. J. Alfred Smith Sr., Dr. Charles Goodman, Dr. Gina M. Stewart, Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood, Rev. Philip Pointer, Dr. A. McKinley Royal, Dr. Tony Evans, Dr. Gary Simpson, Dr. Charles Booth and Dr. David A. Bullock.
The Progressive National Baptist Convention was formed 50 years ago in Cincinnati, Ohio, as a “Christian Movement” to “redeem the Baptist initiative and restore a democratic thrust.” The mission then was to “transform the traditional African American Baptist Convention as well as society” through religious, social and political activism.
“We are embarking on the second half of our journey toward the century mark and look forward to a progressive experience in Memphis, Tenn.,” said Baltimore, president of the PNBC. “We will gather for a meaningful worship experience and pay tribute as well to the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the National Civil Rights Museum.”
There is a correlation between Dr. King and the PNBC, Baltimore said. “Dr. King was a human rights icon who was rejected by a prestigious black Baptist body, but embraced by the Progressive National Baptist Convention and extolled for his leadership and message of love, peace and justice. That’s why Memphis is a special place to gather.”
Since its formation, PNBC has grown as a transformative body of Baptist churches with a focus on Fellowship, Progress, Service and Peace. Several departments were formed under the PNBC. Five of them will celebrate their 50th anniversary during the week: Women, Men, Congress of Christian Education, Ushers and Moderators.
The Progressive National Baptist Convention
The PNBC will also debut its newly created Music Ministry led by nationally recognized recording artist Min. Isaiah D. Thomas. Thomas will lead the Convention in praise and worship, said Baltimore, who recently appointed the songwriter, producer and vocalist as the PNBC’s musical director.
About the Progressive National Baptist Convention
The Progressive National Baptist Convention is a Baptist church family of 2.5 million African-American members organized into five regions: the Southern Region, the Southwest Region, the Eastern Region, the Midwest Region and the International Region. Its headquarters are located at 601 – 50th Street, N.E. in Washington, DC.