NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION, INC.

Based on interviews and conversations with past and current convention leaders and longtime members of the convention, this historical information was compiled by current Convention Historian, Rev. James E. Samuel, Associate Minister of the Stephen Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, in Columbus, Mississippi.

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The Northeast Mississippi Baptist State Convention, Inc. has a rich history, dating back pass 1924, when the first official records were established.  The Convention was founded between 1924 and 1926, under the leadership of Rev. W. M. Brown, pastor and founder of the Mount Moriah Baptist Church, in Louisville, Mississippi.  The original purpose for organizing the Convention was to create a state-wide faith-oriented organization, designed to meet the spiritual needs of the missionary Baptist within the state of Mississippi, and to foster a sense of unity among the churches.  Later, because of a significant and irreconcilable dispute among Convention leadership, a split occurred between 1968 and 1972.

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The Convention offers spiritual leadership and direction to pastors, preachers, and churches, from as far north as Guys, Tennessee and as far south as Shuqualak, Mississippi.  The Convention has at least three annual meetings, to include the Mid-Winter Board Meeting, the Congress of Christian Education Annual Session and the Convention Parent Body Annual Session.  During the Congress and Convention sessions, classes are offered on books of the Bible, “How to Study the Bible,” “Baptist Doctrine,” Youth & Children classes,” etc., to name a few.

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Over the years, the Convention has supported worthy causes throughout northeast Mississippi and the nation, to include support to churches and communities devastated by natural disasters (tornadoes, floods, etc.) and other calamities.  The Convention is also an avid supporter of Ministerial Institute & College, in West Point, Mississippi, contributing financially to its support.  The Convention is also a member and longtime supporter of the National Baptist Convention, U. S. A., Inc.

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Under the leadership of former Convention President, Rev., Dr. O. C. Brand (deceased), a Scholarship Fund was established, offering scholarships to deserving high school seniors, within the Convention.  During his tenure, former Convention President, Rev., Dr. James A. Boyd, who followed Dr. Brand as president, had the scholarship named in Dr. Brands honor.  It is now known as the “O. C. Brand Scholarship.”

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The Northeast Mississippi Baptist State Convention, Inc. has had several presidents since it was organized.  The following individuals have served as president:

• Rev. W. M. Brown

• Rev. Thomas L. (T. L.) Johnson

• Rev. R. L. Greenlaw

• Rev., Dr. O. C. Brand (elected in 1985; served 2 terms))

• Rev., Dr. James A. Boyd (elected in 1995; served 2 terms)

• Rev. Donald Anderson (elected in 2005; served 1 term)

• Rev. Joe L. Peoples (elected in 2010; served 1 term)

• Rev. Nathaniel D. Houston, Sr. (elected in 2015, re-elected in 2020, serving 2nd term)​