BISHOP CARROLL A. BALTIMORE
The Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. (PNBC) started as a movement which reflected the religious, social and political climate of its time. Its mission was to transform the traditional African American Baptist Convention as well as society. The formation of the convention was wrapped up in the Civil Rights movement and was begun by some of the same persons who were deeply involved in the freedom movement for African Americans in the United States. The need for a convention which would embrace tenure of office and leadership was a shared need among a cross section of Baptists.
From a religious perspective, churches from across the United States were suffering from an identity crisis fostered by racism, and conservative political policies and practices that supported segregation and U.S. apartheid. Theologians, seminary students and religious leaders were now openly questioning theological constructs and historical assumptions that were the basis for doctrinal practices that supported two societies in America: one White and the other Black.
From a sociological perspective, the United States during the 60s was undergoing a massive social transformation. Movements of freedom and justice led by clergy and churchpersons throughout the United States began to spring up at every level and strata in society. African Americans who at one time accepted the status quo were now propelled into a whirlwind of change from those systems and structures that oppressed them.
Greetings to our PNBC Family,
Welcome to New Orleans. We are so excited to be able to fellowship together. This 63rd Annual Session is designed to be a great one. I want to thank the Program chairs, Dr Jeffrey and Lady Smith. and team for all your hard work. We thank our Vice President Dr Byrd and Lady Byrd, our 2nd Vice Dr Thompson, and our General Secretary Dr Curry, and Lady Curry, for your support, prayers, and leadership. We are grateful for the new edition to the team, Dr Teal, the PNBC Finance Director, for his expertise and diligent work to make sure PNBC is Financially accurate.
Thanks RevYounger for your faithfulness and dedication in being the Treasurer. Thank you to Sis Diggs, Sis Hatton, Sis Frances, Sis Adams, Peter, Bro Chambers, and many others who help PNBC and this President every single day to carry
Friends, my wife and I thank you for allowing us to serve you. We hope you enjoy the city and the convention. Enjoy the teaching and preaching. Enjoy the singing and sharing. Enjoy the departmental meetings and Congress classes.
Enjoy the youth and young adults.
Enjoy the Social Justice presentations. Enjoy this time together. When this week is over, we pray you were glad to be part of this session and the Progressive National Baptist Convention. To God Be The Glory.
Because of Calvary,
Rev. Dr. David R. Peoples, President
My Progressive Family:
It is with great joy and humility that I greet you on the occasion of the 63rd Annual Session of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Incorporated being held in the beautiful city of New Orleans, Louisiana. We are looking forward to an awesome session of information and inspiration. As we gather this week, we are reminded of the reason we exist. Perhaps like never before our prophetic witness is needed to call our nation to account and to sound the trumpet with certainty that people might be ready for action. Nearly 3 months until the election, we need to rally our people together to exercise their sacred duty of casting their ballots, a right earned by the blood of our elders. Everything that our foremothers and forefathers fought and died for is at stake. Not only is democracy on the ballot but decency itself is on the ballot. Therefore, let us make the best of our time this week that we might be equipped to go home and get to work. As President Peoples has prophetically articulated,
"It Is Time!" It is time to speak up and step up for the cause of Peace, Progress, and Prosperity for all of God's people.
Finally, I want to thank our host as well as all our departmental leaders for their faithfulness in making this week a reality. In particular, I would like to thank our Interim General Secretary, Dr.
Kendrick Curry and the headquarters office staff for continuing to serve in a spirit of excellence. It has been my great pleasure to serve you as First Vice President alongside President Peoples and our very capable 2nd Vice President Dr. Jacqueline Thompson. Looking forward to sharing with each of you this week.
Still Proud to Be Progressive,
Keith W. Byrd, Sr.
Rev. Dr. Keith W. Byrd, Sr.
First Vice President
Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc
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