National Baptist Convention of America International, Inc.

The National Baptist Convention of America International, Inc. (NBCA Intl or NBCA) is a predominantly African American Baptist denomination in the United States. It is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, and has members across the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Africa.

History

The NBCA Intl was formed in 1915 following a schism within the National Baptist Convention (NBC USA) over the control and ownership of the National Baptist Publishing Board. The dispute began because the publishing board, founded and led by Rev. R.H. Boyd, was seen as independent and not fully accountable to the NBC USA. This led to a separation, with supporters of Rev. Boyd forming the National Baptist Convention of America, which later became known internationally[3].

Founder

Rev. R.H. Boyd is considered the founder of the NBCA Intl. He initiated the National Baptist Publishing Board to provide religious materials to Black Baptists, including periodicals and Sunday School materials. This publishing house played a significant role in African American religious and racial identity, publishing notable works like hymnals and songbooks[3].

Structure and Governance

The convention operates under a congregationalist polity, giving member churches significant autonomy while maintaining a network for cooperation and shared mission. Dr. Samuel C. Tolbert Jr. serves as the current president, and Rev. Shelton C. Dixon as the general secretary[3].

Association and Presence

The NBCA Intl is associated with the World Council of Churches and the Baptist World Alliance. The denomination maintains a presence across North America and beyond, offering spiritual leadership and community support to its members[3].

Membership

As of recent data, the National Baptist Convention of America International, Inc., has approximately 225,776 members. Despite a smaller footprint compared to other Baptist denominations in the United States, the NBCA Intl remains a significant voice within the African American community[3].

Separations

In 1988, a further controversy over the publishing board led to the formation of the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America, marking another division within the broader Baptist movement[3].