OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - The Winter Board Meeting of the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America was held here February 23-26, 2009 in the midst of celebrating "Change in America." Dr. C.C. Robertson heralded the session as the first held in a time that many people thought they would not live long enough to see under the adminstration of U.S. President Barack Obama.

The session was held at the convenient Hilton Hotel at the Airport and hosted by Dr. Ray W. Williams and the St. John Missionary Baptist Association of which Dr. Williams serves as Moderator.

Session highlights:

- Dr. C.C. Robertson delivered his annual message on Wednesday evening. His message was postponed from the cancelled Annual Session in 2008.

Thanking God for delivering him from recent illness, Dr. Robertson preached a powerful message that brought the delegates to their feet.

He encouraged the delegates to be faithful to their fields of labor - both at home and in the convention.

- Dr. T.B. Boyd, III, President and CEO of R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation, Nashville, TN, gave his 30th Report to the Convention and invited the delegates to be in attendance and support the National Baptist Congress which will be held in June in Houston, TX and hosted by Dr. Samuel H. Smith, Sr. and the pastors and congregations of Houston.

- A standing room only crowd was present for the Convention Musical, coordinated by Dr. Gregory Payton of the historic Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church.  The Choir under the direction of Bro. Jamal Churchill featured nine outstanding selections and Dr. Julian E. Spencer, pastor of the Main Street Baptist Church in Aurora, IL served as Presiding Pastor.

- Powerful Theme Presentations and Sermons were given by Dr. T. Lynn Robinson (LA), Dr. Mose A. Jones (TX), Dr. Samuel H. Smith, Sr. (TX), Dr. David L. Punch (TX), Dr. Matthew J. Thornton (WA) and Dr. Scottie Williams (IL). 

- The Executive Committee Report was received by the Convention. Dr. A. Wayne Johnson, General Secretary read the recommendations:  (1) In order to be eligible to vote in the 2010 Presidential Election, you must enroll with the official enrollment amounts in the 2009 and 2010 Annual Sessions. The amounts are: Churches - $250; Districts - $300; General Associations - $400; and State Conventions - $400.  (2) The Convention will receive a special offering for the Gulf Coast churches that suffered in Hurricane Gustav and other hurricanes and difficult situations in the region.  (3) That the theme for the 2009 year of the convention through the Summer Board of 2010 will be "YES WE CAN, BY FAITH WE WILL" - Philippians 4:13.  (4) Effective February 2010 there will be an adjustment to our convention meeting schedules:  (a) Winter Board Meeting - will now be hotel check in on Monday, Check out on Thursday; (b) Summer Board Meeting - hotel check in Monday, Check out on Tuesday; (c) Annual Session - Hotel check in Monday, Check out on Thursday.  The propose changes will offer both the convention and delegates a substantial savings.

- The Pastor's Conference led by Dr. Robert Castle was one of the most memorable in recent memory.

Dr. Jim Holley, back in the pulpit of Historic Little Rock Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit, after a lengthy illness, returned to the pulpit of NMBCA and shared insights as only he can! Praise God for God's miraculous healing touch! 

In the afternoon, newly retired Senior Pastor of the Allen Temple Baptist Church of Oakland, CA and past president of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Dr. J. Alfred Smith, challenged every pastor and layperson by his words of wisdom!

To View PHOTOS by Dr. Robert Earl Houston, Sr., NMBCA Webmaster, Please Click here now - These are photos from the ENTIRE board meeting, including the President's Address, Dr. Boyd's Report, the Musical, and the Pastor's Conference.