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Covenant Baptist Church to host the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Midwest Region, 54th Annual Session...










Covenant Baptist Church, in collaboration with the pastors and churches of the PNBC Ohio Pastors Fellowship is diligently preparing to host the PNBC Midwest Region, 54th Annual Session! The event will take place April 17-21, 2017 at the Cleveland Airport Marriott, W 150th Street, Cleveland, Ohio.  Under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. E.G. Shields, Jr., Vice President of the PNBC Midwest Region, delegates from Ohio, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky and Michigan will gather for a time of study, fellowship, worship, strategic planning and community service.  The process of planning this event began last November, 2016 when pastors and delegates came together at Covenant Baptist Church to lay the groundwork for the April 2017 event.  

During the Planning Session, Dr. Shields noted that the gathering was a historic moment for the PNBC Midwest Region since it was the first time that "a female pastor has hosted the region!" In addition to serving as Host Pastor, Pastor Chris will also teach a class during the PNBC Congress of Christian Education from her book, Beyond the Stained Glass Ceiling: Equipping and Encouraging Female Pastors. The class is entitled, "Women in Ministry Breaking Through the Stained Glass Ceiling." For more information about the Convention and to register for classes, visit PNBC Midwest Regional Conference  and click on "Congress Classes"


Pastor Chris selected to represent PNBC on the board of The Conference of National Black Churches...
Pastor Chris (PNBC/ABC) pictured here with Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III (National Baptist), Bishop Talbert Swan II (Church of God in Christ), Bishop Darin Moore (AME Zion), Rev. Dr. Calvin McKinney (National Baptist) and Bishop Lawrence Reddick (Christian Methodist Episcopal)

Mother Emanuel AME Church, Charleston, South Carolina, site of CNBC Ecumenical Service...


December 14-17, 2015, The Conference of National Black Churches Consultation was held in Charleston, South Carolina.  Members and participants from eight (8) historically African American Denominations as well as historically Euro denominations came together to focus upon the topic, "The Healing of Our Nation:  Race and Reconciliation." 

Charleston, South Carolina was chosen as the site for the Consultation because of the racial tensions magnified there by the massacre of nine (9) African Americans by a White young man during prayer meeting and Bible study at Mother Emanuel AME Church. 

Through workshops, panel discussions, presentations and worship services, participants wrestled with the role of the church in racial reconciliation and healing.  It was determined that first “conciliation” has to happen before “reconciliation” is possible.
Six representatives from the CNBC Board of Trustees were selected to prepare a Statement from the Conference on Race and Reconciliation (see picture below).  For more information about the Consultation and to read the Statement, visit http://www.thecnbc.org

Ecumenical worship service at Mother Emanuel Church...


Covenant Baptist Church joins the Progressive National Baptist Convention...


August 2 - 7th, 2015, The Progressive National Baptist Convention held its annual session in Dallas, Texas.  Five members of the Covenant Baptist Church served as 1st time delegates:  Pastor Chris Smith, Bro. Aristide Smith, Ministers Kathryn Johnson, Rhonda Lawrence and Tanya Wright.  The "PNBC" has a rich history of national and international mission efforts as well as a social justice focus.  Born out of a desire to be "progressive," Baptist churches originally aligned with the National Baptist Convention made a decision to form the PNBC after a controversy over the Civil Rights movement and support of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., erupted.  Since that time, the Convention has sought to empower churches and individuals regarding voting rights, economic empowerment, humanitarian efforts and civil rights.  To read more about the history of the PNBC, visit, http://www.pnbc.org/History

Through out the week, delegates were blessed to participate in Christian Education workshops, civil rights forums, panel discussions and worship services.  Pastor Chris was invited to have a book signing featuring her book, Beyond the Stained Glass Ceiling:  Equipping and Encouraging Female Pastors (Judson Press, 2013). Under the leadership of Pastor Smith, Covenant Baptist Church has become dually aligned with the PNBC and The American Baptist Churches USA. 

Pastor Chris and 1st Gentleman Represent Covenant at the ABC 2015 Biennial in Overland Park, KS...

June 26-28th, 2015, over 2,000 American Baptists gathered in Overland Park, Kansas for the American Baptist Biennial/Mission Summit.  Every two years, American Baptists from across the United States and Puerto Rico gather together for this denominational meeting. American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with over 5,200 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.  What an exciting time it was for Covenant's "1st Gentleman," Bro. Aristide Smith, Jr., and Pastor Chris to be in attendance! 


In addition to seeing old friends and meeting new ones, great fellowship, engaging "Mission Summit Conversations," and powerful prayer and worship services, we joined with other members of our denomination in examining critical issues facing our churches and our Nation.  Pastor Chris was honored to serve as a facilitator, leading a dialogue with men and women from across the country on the topic, "Women in Ministry."  She also was privileged to be featured as one of several female Judson Press authors during the Women in Ministry "After Party."   To read more about the Biennial, visit,  http://www.abc-usa.org/2015/06/25/american-baptists-gather-for-biennial-mission-summit/ To see pictures from the event, visit our Photo Gallery.