National Missionary Baptist Convention of America - an association serving as a medium of cooperation and fellowship for African-American missionary Baptist churches.
On November 15, 1988, 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 Sunday School congress brought about the division. The new body gained the support of existing state conventions in California, 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 president of the Convention and served until his retirement in 1994. Ensuing elections led to frustration, and a party led by Dr. H. J. Johnson of Dallas, Texas withdrew and formed the Institutional Missionary Baptist Conference of America in 1998/1999.
The Convention meets annually. Headquarters are in Los Angeles, California. 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. Membership is an estimated 80,000. Work is carried on through numerous auxiliaries and boards, including benevolent, educational, evangelical and mission boards. The President in 2002-2003 is Melvin Von Wade, Sr.
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