GCMB DISTRICT ASSOCIATION
History of the Gulf Coast Missionary Baptist District Association
The Gulf Coast Missionary Baptist District Association (GCMBDA) traces its origins to the post-Civil War era, beginning in 1877, a time of rebuilding and growth for African American communities. Its historical roots are deeply intertwined with the broader efforts to expand Baptist missionary work among Black Americans in the wake of the Civil War and the abolition of slavery.
Formation of the Baptist Missionary Movement
The movement that eventually led to the creation of the Gulf Coast Missionary Baptist District Association was part of a larger religious awakening within the Black Baptist community. In 1880, about 150 Baptist pastors gathered in Montgomery, Alabama, to form the Baptist Foreign Mission Convention, an event that marked a significant shift in the national landscape of Black Baptist organizations. This movement emerged in part due to the dissolution of the Consolidated American Baptist Convention, which had created a vacuum in mission work. William W. Colley, a missionary who had served in Nigeria under the Southern Baptist Convention, called the meeting in Montgomery to organize a national convention aimed at expanding foreign missionary work.
In 1886, William J. Simmons of Kentucky led the formation of the American National Baptist Convention, followed by the creation of the National Baptist Education Convention in 1893 under the leadership of W. Bishop Johnson of Washington, D.C. These three conventions eventually merged on September 24, 1895, at the Friendship Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, forming the National Baptist Convention of the United States of America (NBCUSA), with foreign missions, home missions, and education serving as the three foundational boards of the new convention.
Convention Splits and the Birth of the Gulf Coast Association
The early years of the NBCUSA were marked by tension and division. In 1897, a group of pastors left the convention under the leadership of Elias Camp Morris to form the Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention, motivated by disagreements over the location of the foreign mission board and its relationship with White Baptists. Another significant split occurred in 1915, triggered by disputes over the ownership and operation of the National Baptist Publishing Board, which was led by R. H. Boyd. This led to the formation of the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc., which became known as the Unincorporated Convention. In response to this, the NBCUSA amended its constitution in 1916, incorporating the convention as the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
These fractures within the larger Baptist body had profound effects at the local level, including the formation of the Gulf Coast Missionary Baptist District Association. The association was born out of the division within the larger National Baptist community and represented a continuation of the missionary work and vision laid out by earlier generations.
Early Growth and Development
The Gulf Coast Missionary Baptist District Association was established to serve Black Baptist congregations in the Mississippi Gulf Coast region, originally encompassing Harrison, Hancock, and Jackson Counties. Over time, the association expanded to include Stone County, Mississippi. The Gulf Coast Missionary Baptist District Association (GCMBDA) has been a significant force for church growth and development, with more than 28 churches currently under its purview across four counties.
The association has seen leadership from 18 Moderators throughout its history, although records do not reflect the names of the earliest Moderators. The Moderators who have served since the formation of the association include notable figures such as Rev. E.L. Fox, Dr. W.T. Guice, Rev. E.L. Hartwell, Dr. John H. Williams, Sr., Dr. S.V. Adolph, Rev. Larry G. Hawkins, Dr. James O. Harris, Rev. Allen Jenkins, and Dr. Eric E. Dickey.
Surviving Natural Disasters
Throughout its history, the Gulf Coast Missionary Baptist District Association has weathered numerous storms, both literal and figurative. One of the most significant events in its history was Hurricane Camille, which made landfall as a Category 5 storm in August 1969. More recently, the region was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which displaced thousands of homes and churches. In the aftermath of Katrina, the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc., the General Missionary Baptist State Convention, and various interfaith communities—including churches, synagogues, and mosques—came together to assist in the rebuilding efforts, helping the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast recover and rebuild its communities.
The Gulf Coast Missionary Baptist District Association is also responsible for birthing several prominent churches that continue to serve the community today, including Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Christian Missionary Baptist Church, Forrest Heights Missionary Baptist Church, Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church and St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, all based in Gulfport, Mississippi.
The Formation of the Gulf Coast Missionary Baptist Center Board
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, three local entities—the Gulf Coast Missionary Baptist District Association, the Shiloh Missionary Baptist District Association, and the Gulf Coast Congress—came together to establish what is now the Gulf Coast Missionary Baptist Center Board. The purpose of the center was to create a multi-purpose facility to accommodate the sessions of all three groups in a shared space, eliminating the need for attendees to travel to different churches. Additionally, the founders envisioned the center as a place to provide services such as childcare and a convalescent home. Today, the Gulf Coast Missionary Baptist Center Board is working toward fulfilling these plans, including seeking approval for a childcare facility to be housed in two twin structures, each 4,700 square feet.
A New Era: Merging and Resilience
On October 27-28, 2023, the GCMBDA and the Shiloh Missionary Baptist District Association began discussions about a potential merger. These meetings, hosted by the Mississippi Working Together Organization, were part of an ongoing effort to strengthen the impact of both associations in their communities. The two groups are planning to host their first joint annual session in September 2025, which marks a new chapter in the shared history and mission of the two associations.
At the end of 2019, the region faced the challenges of the global COVID-19 pandemic, which lasted for three years and caused widespread illness and death. During this time, many churches had to cease in-person worship services, relying instead on virtual platforms to maintain connections with their congregations. This shift allowed the Gulf Coast churches to reach a global audience, with millions of people participating in worship via cell phones, tablets, and other digital platforms. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the Gulf Coast Missionary Baptist District Association remains a strong and vibrant community of faith, building upon the legacy of the leaders who have shaped its history.
The Present and Future of the Gulf Coast Missionary Baptist District Association
Today, the Gulf Coast Missionary Baptist District Association holds three tri-annual sessions each year (fall, spring, and annual sessions) and hosts various activities that foster interaction among churches. One of the most notable events is the Moderator’s Banquet, which has raised over $150,000 in scholarships for local students and continues to grow.
The leadership of the Gulf Coast Missionary Baptist District Association includes the Moderator, who is elected by the Parent-Body to serve a one- to five-year term, with the possibility of serving a second consecutive term. Other key officers include the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Vice Moderators, Treasurer, Executive Recording Secretary, Financial Secretary, Field Missionary, and Parliamentarian.
The association also supports several auxiliary departments, each led by Executive Directors, Vice-Moderators, and Pastoral Advisors. These departments include the Council of Pastor Moderators, Pastor’s Conference, Congress of Christian Workers, Women’s Department, Minister’s Wives and Widows, Young People’s Department, Young Adult Department, Laymen’s Department, Music Ministry, and Usher Department.
Conclusion
The Gulf Coast Missionary Baptist District Association continues to thrive and expand its influence, ensuring that the work of ministry remains strong throughout the Mississippi Gulf Coast. As it builds on the legacy of its founders and leaders, the association remains dedicated to fulfilling the spiritual, social, and educational needs of its community, preserving the rich tradition of Black Baptist faith and commitment to service.