The Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. (PNBC) will celebrate its 55th annual session in New Orleans from August 7-14.
PNBC President Dr. James C. Perkins will lead the organization, representing over 2,000 churches, with week-long events.
The PNBC was founded in 1961 out of the Civil Rights Movement and their fight for human and civil rights remains a key mandate. With the upcoming presidential election, a focus of the annual session will include the importance of the vote.
The convention is expected to host one or more of the presidential candidates; and while in New Orleans, the group will focus on informational and education campaigns with an aim of assuring that people of color across the country are registered to vote.
Dr. Perkins’ views on voter registration were the basis of a recent op-ed article for BlackAmericaWeb.com, where he wrote: “The resurgence of racism, the future of the Supreme Court, the dismantling of the Voting Rights Act, the future of the Affordable Health Care Act, police brutality, and a biased criminal justice system, all make it imperative that we wake up and sound the alarm to stir our people to participate in this year’s election.”
Dr. Perkins has also called on PNBC churches to hold voter registration drives in their congregations.
In addition to the voting registration agenda, the annual session will provide the expected 5,000 attendees with ministry workshops, Christian Education classes, a pastoral division, and preaching. The Congress of Christian Education features nearly thirty classes with topics from Bible studies to church ministries.
A highlight of the annual session is the passionate preaching, and the scheduled pastors should continue the tradition. The following celebrated pastors are featured speakers: Bishop J. D. Wiley Taylor, Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III, Dr. Kevin Cosby (Education Night), Dr. Charles E. Booth, and Dr. Ralph W. West. Dr. Perkins will provide a highly anticipated sermon address during the President’s Night event. Adding to the illustrious roster of pastors are Bishop Walter Scott Thomas, Dr. Robert C. Scott, Dr. Jacqueline Thompson, Dr. Michael T. Scott, Dr. James Victor, and Dr. Howard-John Wesley who will offer stirring morning and afternoon messages.