MOBaptist Laymen: National Laymen Year In Review

Year In Review

July - September

David Bozeman, Shiloh, IL. passed away in his sleep on Saturday, July 6, 2013. He was recuperating and convalescing from a stroke he suffered in early March. He was president of the laymen of the Baptist General State Convention of Illinois and served in the evangelism ministry of the National Laymen as the Follow-up Chairman.

While the National Congress of Christian Education was convening in St. Louis the week of June 17 - 2. David attended the Mission in Education and Evangelism Luncheon and Street Service on Wednesday afternoon and attended the address of Dr. George Waddles, Sr. in the main hall of the convention center.

The Walter Cade, Jr. Southwest Workshop, (Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi) convened in Jackson, MS the weekend, July 26 - 28, 2013 at the Hilton Jackson Hotel.

The state conventions of Mississippi working under the banner of Mississippi Baptist Fellowship served as hosts.

The theme for the workshop was "Solidarity with the Savior".

Alabama won the attendance trophy for the most paid delegates.

Charlie Richmond, the National Laymen Foreign Mission chairman appointed Leonard Dixon of Las Vegas, NV as the coordinator of foreign mission work for the Western-Farwest Region.

Dixon is the state laymen president for the Nevada & California Interstate Baptist Convention. He also serves on the National Devotion Team in the Worship Ministry. At his home church, Second Baptist, he is chairman of the deacon's ministry, director of the male chorus and bible study instructor.

On the of weekend, August 23 - 25th, the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church of San Bernardino, CA held their annual Men's Day Weekend. The weekend is comprised of fellowship, workshop and worship.

National Recording Secretary Willie Luvert, a member of New Hope, was named Man-of-the-Year. Luvert has been serving as Recording Secretary for all of president Harold Simmons' administration. Simmons made a special trip to California.

The laymen announced in August that they will be offering a new class at the September Annual Session, a Marriage Enrichment Seminar. It would be taught by Stephen and Lynn Perry of Buffalo, NY. Their topics that Perry's will addressed were:

1. The Definition of Marriage

2. The Essential Nature of Marriage

3. Marital Commitments

4. Practice Patience & Kindness Required

5. Keeping the Line of Communication Open

6. Resolving Conflict

7. Extending Forgiveness

8. God's Response to Divorce

There were many highlights at the laymen's 90th Annual Session in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 2 - 6, 2013. It was the convention's 133rd Annual Session.

Mary Reeves, the wife of Asst. Vice President I.V. Reeves was the keynote speaker for the 23rd Annual Melinda J. Cade Laymen Wives & Women Supporters Prayer Service.

The theme was, "Biblical Women in solidarity with the Savior, Watching and Warning Through the Word".

President Harold Simmons delivered his 13th address at the Charlotte Convention Center during the laymen's 90th session and the NBCUSA, Inc. 133rd session.

His theme was, "The Voice of a Biblical Man" Acts 4:18-20.

Simmons introduced ten recommendations during his address for the movement to consider and climb to a higher height.

The annual Evening with the Royal Court was held on Thursday, September 5th at 6:00 p.m. at the Blake Sheraton Hotel. The King contest was won by Alabama and the king representing Alabama was Ozell Dickerson of Jacksonville, AL.

The top three places were: 1st - Ozell Dickerson, Jacksonville, AL

2nd - Leo Hartfield, Jackson, MS

3rd - Claude Underwood, Jr., Newark, NJ

Following the King Contest was the John L. Webb Awards and Recognition Banquet. Dr. George Waddles, Sr., pastor of the Zion Hill Baptist Church, Chicago, Illinois was the keynote speaker. The title of his message was, Fulfilling the Divine Destiny".

At the John L. Webb Banquet, Michael Washington of Auburn Hills, MI. was named the 2013 John L. Webb Award recipient as Layman-of-the-year.

Washington is Vice President of the National Baptist Laymen's Movement giving leadership to the Evangelism Ministry. He is a member of the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in the city of Pontiac, Michigan, under the leadership of Rev. Jerry Love, pastor.

The News Flash is designed to inform members, friends and supporters of late breaking news and events regarding the organization and the men and women who drive the movement. Thad Jones is the publisher. tskm@swbell.net