A Pastor’s Perspective
New Leadership For Such A Time As This By Susie Jones An Interview with Dr. Boise Kimber, President The National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc It is evident that a great paradigm shift has taken place in our country especially in regards to leadership. There are groundbreaking models that are rising up and look nothing like what we are accustomed to seeing. I recently had the opportunity to interview Rev. Dr. Boise Kimber, the newly elected President of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc, the largest Black Protestant Denomination in the United States. The convention has an estimated membership of over 3.5 million. Since his installment in January he is already making historical moves within the Convention; such as revitalizing old and outdated standards, embracing a new generation with new ideas, as well as addressing the current social injustices that are affecting our African American Communities. These are just a few questions I was able to ask and Dr. Kimber was gracious enough to respond. GI - Dr. Kimber, what is the Mission and Vision of the NBCUSA under your leadership? Kimber - My vision is to carry out Mission, Evangelism, Christian Education, and Social Justice. That's what our Forefathers and Mothers built this Convention on. GI - How will the NBCUSA play a pivotal role for Civil Rights and Social Justice in the 21st Century, with this current climate of bigotry in our nation? Kimber - I have been a Community Activist. I did my Doctor of Ministry on Social Justice Conscious in my local congregation. I've had all of the Civil Rights Leaders except Dr. Martin Luther King to speak at my church, and so I bring that experience to the NBCUSA. You do know that there was a split in the NBCUSA when Dr. Joseph Jackson was President, and it was because under his leadership NBC did not want to take a stand on the issue of Social Justice in 1960's. Dr. Gardner Taylor and Dr. Martin L. King took a stand on what was happening in our country, and they left the NBC.
April 2025
