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{{short description|Autonomous association of U.S. Baptist churches}} |
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The '''Alaska Baptist Convention''' (ABC) is an autonomous association of [[Baptist]] churches located in the state of [[Alaska]], USA. It is one of the [[List of state and other conventions associated with the Southern Baptist Convention|state conventions associated with the Southern Baptist Convention]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.sbc.net/stateconvention.asp?state=AK | publisher=Southern Baptist Convention | accessdate=2010-08-27 | title=State Conventions and Local Associations: Alaska| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20100826005555/http://www.sbc.net/stateconvention.asp?state=AK| archivedate= August 26, 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> |
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[[File:Alaska Baptist Convention headquarters.jpg|thumb|Alaska Baptist Convention headquarters in Anchorage viewed from O'Malley Road.]] |
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The first Southern Baptist church in Alaska was established in 1943, with just 17 members, and the ABC was formed in 1946. Today, Southern Baptists are the largest Protestant denomination in Alaska with over 20,000 members. |
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The '''Alaska Baptist Convention''' ('''ABC''') is an autonomous association of [[Baptist]] churches located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Alaska]]. It is one of the [[List of state and other conventions associated with the Southern Baptist Convention|state conventions associated with the Southern Baptist Convention]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.sbc.net/stateconvention.asp?state=AK | publisher=Southern Baptist Convention | access-date=2010-08-27 | title=State Conventions and Local Associations: Alaska| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100826005555/http://www.sbc.net/stateconvention.asp?state=AK| archive-date= August 26, 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> The first Southern Baptist church in Alaska was established in 1943, with just 17 members, and the ABC was formed in 1946. Today, Alaskan Southern Baptists are the largest Protestant denomination in Alaska with over 20,000 members. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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| Line 7: | Line 8: | ||
The first Southern Baptist church in Alaska was First Baptist Church, Anchorage, organized in September 1943. |
The first Southern Baptist church in Alaska was First Baptist Church, Anchorage, organized in September 1943. |
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The new church had 17 members, including two civilians and 15 soldiers.<ref>{{cite web |
The new church had 17 members, including two civilians and 15 soldiers.<ref>{{cite web |
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|url=http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/printerfriendly.asp?ID=5594 |
|url=http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/printerfriendly.asp?ID=5594 |
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|title=Cooperative Program giving boosts Alaska church's can-do attitude |
|title=Cooperative Program giving boosts Alaska church's can-do attitude |
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|author=Todd Starnes |
|author=Todd Starnes |
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|date=Apr 7, 2000 |
|date=Apr 7, 2000 |
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|work=[[Baptist Press]] |
|work=[[Baptist Press]] |
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| |
|access-date=2010-08-27 |
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|url-status=dead |
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The church was founded by soldiers at nearby [[Fort Richardson]], and later started a number of sister churches in Alaska.<ref>{{cite web |
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|url=http://www. |
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306034317/http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/printerfriendly.asp?ID=5594 |
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|archive-date=March 6, 2012 |
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|df=mdy |
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}}</ref> The church was founded by soldiers at nearby [[Fort Richardson (Alaska)|Fort Richardson]], and later started a number of sister churches in Alaska.<ref>{{cite web |
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|url=http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32253 |
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|title=NAMB commissions 30 during AK service |
|title=NAMB commissions 30 during AK service |
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|work=Baptist Press |
|work=Baptist Press |
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|date=Feb 9, 2010 |
|date=Feb 9, 2010 |
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|author=Mike Ebert |
|author=Mike Ebert |
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| |
|access-date=2010-08-27 |
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|url-status=dead |
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The ABC was formed in 1946 as the union of several Alaskan Baptist churches. Although it petitioned the [[Southern Baptist Convention]] (SBC) for recognition as a state convention in 1947, the SBC did not formally recognize the ABC until 1951, after the ABC had submitted a second petition for recognition in 1950.<ref name=Baker1980 /> |
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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100411115515/http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=32253 |
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An amendement to the SBC's constitution had been required in order to allow the ABC, and several other small state conventions, to become associated with the SBC. In the meantime, in 1948, the ABC had received assistance from the SBC's Home Mission Board.<ref name=Fletcher1994 /> |
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|archive-date=April 11, 2010 |
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|df=mdy |
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}}</ref> |
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The ABC was formed in 1946 as the union of several Alaskan Baptist churches. Although it petitioned the [[Southern Baptist Convention]] (SBC) for recognition as a state convention in 1947, the SBC did not formally recognize the ABC until 1951, after the ABC had submitted a second petition for recognition in 1950.<ref name=Baker1980 /> An amendment to the SBC's constitution had been required in order to allow the ABC, and several other small state conventions, to become associated with the SBC. In the meantime, in 1948, the ABC had received assistance from the SBC's Home Mission Board.<ref name=Fletcher1994 /> |
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In the first half of the 20th century most African American Baptists were members of churches unaffiliated with the SBC. |
In the first half of the 20th century, most African American Baptists were members of churches unaffiliated with the SBC. Greater Friendship Baptist Church in [[Anchorage]] was an exception, voting to affiliate with the SBC in 1951. In 1997, this church's 11th pastor, Leon D. May, was elected president of the Alaska Baptist Convention.<ref>{{cite web |
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|url=http://www.gofbw.com/News.asp?ID=422 |
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Greater Friendship Baptist Church in [[Anchorage]] was an exception, voting to affiliate with the SBC in 1951. |
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|title=After a century of separatism; four historic churches emerged in the SBC |
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In 1997, this church's 11th pastor, Leon D. May, was elected president of the Alaska Baptist Convention.<ref>{{cite web |
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|date=Jan 28, 2003 |
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|url=http://www.gofbw.com/News.asp?ID=422 |
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|work=Florida Baptist Witness |
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|title=After a century of separatism; four historic churches emerged in the SBC |
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|date= |
|access-date=2010-08-27 |
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|url-status=dead |
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|work=Florida Baptist Witness |
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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307100135/http://www.gofbw.com/News.asp?ID=422 |
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|accessdate=2010-08-27}}</ref> |
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|archive-date=March 7, 2012 |
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|df=mdy |
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}}</ref> |
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In January 1975 the ABC held a three-day Evangelistic conference with the theme of "Reconciliation Through Christ" in preparation for the annual Simultaneous Revivals scheduled for March of that year.<ref>{{cite web |
In January 1975, the ABC held a three-day Evangelistic conference with the theme of "Reconciliation Through Christ" in preparation for the annual Simultaneous Revivals scheduled for March of that year.<ref>{{cite web |
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|url= |
|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FRkfAAAAIBAJ&pg=2766,2291450&dq=alaska-baptist-convention&hl=en |
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|title=Baptists Meet Tuesday |
|title=Baptists Meet Tuesday |
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|work=Anchorage Daily News |
|work=Anchorage Daily News |
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|date=Jan 25, 1975 |
|date=Jan 25, 1975 |
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|access-date=2010-08-27}}</ref> 48 Baptist missions and churches participated in the "Proclamation 76" revivals in 1976.<ref>{{cite web |
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|accessdate=2010-08-27}}</ref> |
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|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XDgeAAAAIBAJ&pg=1224,2792909&dq=alaska-baptist-convention&hl=en |
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48 Baptist missions and churches participated in the "Proclamation 76" revivals in 1976.<ref>{{cite web |
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|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XDgeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=X8AEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1224,2792909&dq=alaska-baptist-convention&hl=en |
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|title=People and Events |
|title=People and Events |
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|work=Anchorage Daily News |
|work=Anchorage Daily News |
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|date=Mar 27, 1976 |
|date=Mar 27, 1976 |
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|access-date=2010-08-27}}</ref> The ABC's budget rose above $1 million for the first time in 1981.<ref>{{cite web |
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|accessdate=2010-08-27}}</ref> |
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|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NYM0AAAAIBAJ&pg=3457,7112245&dq=alaska-baptist-convention&hl=en |
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The ABC's budget rose above $1 million for the first time in 1981.<ref>{{cite web |
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|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NYM0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=TKcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3457,7112245&dq=alaska-baptist-convention&hl=en |
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|title=Baptist paper names editor |
|title=Baptist paper names editor |
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|work=Anchorage Daily News |
|work=Anchorage Daily News |
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|date=Aug 22, 1981 |
|date=Aug 22, 1981 |
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|access-date=2010-08-27}}</ref> In January 1982, the Convention elected John H. Allen as their new executive director to succeed Allen Meeks, who was retiring for health reasons.<ref>{{cite web |
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|accessdate=2010-08-27}}</ref> |
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|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bUEdAAAAIBAJ&pg=3510,1443976&dq=alaska-baptist-convention&hl=en |
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In January 1982 the Convention elected John H. Allen as their new executive director to succeed Allen Meeks, who was retiring for health reasons.<ref>{{cite web |
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|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bUEdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bacEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3510,1443976&dq=alaska-baptist-convention&hl=en |
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|title=Baptist Convention Elects New Director |
|title=Baptist Convention Elects New Director |
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|work=Anchorage Daily News |
|work=Anchorage Daily News |
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|access-date=2010-08-27}}</ref> Meeks had previously been education director of First Baptist Church, Anchorage and director of religious education for the Alaska Baptist Convention.<ref>{{cite web |
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|accessdate=2010-08-27}}</ref> |
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|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2c8hAAAAIBAJ&pg=3981,4209675&dq=alaska-baptist-convention&hl=en |
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Meeks had previously been education director of First Baptist Church, Anchorage and director of religious education for the Alaska Baptist Convention.<ref>{{cite web |
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|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2c8hAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vp4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=3981,4209675&dq=alaska-baptist-convention&hl=en |
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|title=Baptist Leader Steps Down |
|title=Baptist Leader Steps Down |
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|work=Anchorage Daily News |
|work=Anchorage Daily News |
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|date=Dec 12, 1981 |
|date=Dec 12, 1981 |
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| |
|access-date=2010-08-27}}</ref> |
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At their annual meeting in August 1997 the ABC endorsed a recent SBC resolution to boycott the [[Disney Company]] for moral stewardship reasons in light of what they called an anti-family direction taken by the entertainment conglomerate.<ref>{{cite web |
At their annual meeting in August 1997, the ABC endorsed a recent SBC resolution to boycott the [[Disney Company]] for moral stewardship reasons in light of what they called an anti-family direction taken by the entertainment conglomerate.<ref>{{cite web |
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|url=http://www.bpnews.net/printerfriendly.asp?ID=4777 |
|url=http://www.bpnews.net/printerfriendly.asp?ID=4777 |
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|title=Alaska Baptists begin partnership, endorse SBC's boycott of Disney |
|title=Alaska Baptists begin partnership, endorse SBC's boycott of Disney |
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|work=Baptist Press |
|work=Baptist Press |
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|date=Aug 13, 1997 |
|date=Aug 13, 1997 |
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| |
|access-date=2010-08-27 |
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|url-status=dead |
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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320032649/http://www.bpnews.net/printerfriendly.asp?ID=4777 |
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|archive-date=March 20, 2012 |
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|df=mdy |
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}}</ref> |
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[[Gennady Abramov]], superintendent of the [[Russian Baptist Federation]] in Far East Russia attended the 1998 annual meeting, where a three-year partnership between Baptists in Alaska and Far East Russia was inaugurated. |
[[Gennady Abramov]], superintendent of the [[Russian Baptist Federation]] in Far East Russia attended the 1998 annual meeting, where a three-year partnership between Baptists in Alaska and Far East Russia was inaugurated. The budget approved at the meeting was $1,723,226.<ref>{{cite web |
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|url=http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/printerfriendly.asp?ID=2826 |
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The budget approved at the meeting was $1,723,226.<ref>{{cite web |
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|url=http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/printerfriendly.asp?ID=2826 |
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|title=Alaskan Baptists undertake Far East Russian partnership |
|title=Alaskan Baptists undertake Far East Russian partnership |
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|date=Sep 1, 1998 |
|date=Sep 1, 1998 |
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|work=Baptist Press |
|work=Baptist Press |
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| |
|access-date=2010-08-27 |
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|url-status=dead |
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By 1999 total resident membership was 10,096. |
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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306034330/http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/printerfriendly.asp?ID=2826 |
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At the ABC's annual meeting in August 2000 the executive director Cloyd Sullins retired after five year in office, handing over to David Baldwin. |
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|archive-date=March 6, 2012 |
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In his retirement speech, Sullins said that evangelism and missions are major priorities for the ABC due to the partnership with Far East Russia.<ref>{{cite web |
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}}</ref> By 1999, total resident membership was 10,096. |
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|url=http://www.biblicalrecorder.org/news/8_18_2000/alaska.html |
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At the ABC's annual meeting in August 2000, the executive director Cloyd Sullins retired after five year in office, handing over to David Baldwin. In his retirement speech, Sullins said that evangelism and missions are major priorities for the ABC due to the partnership with Far East Russia.<ref>{{cite web |
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|date=Aug 18, 2000 |
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|url=http://www.biblicalrecorder.org/news/8_18_2000/alaska.html |
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|title=Alaska Baptists OK new leader, constitution |
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|date=Aug 18, 2000 |
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|author=Tony W. Cartledge |
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|title=Alaska Baptists OK new leader, constitution |
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|work=[[Biblical Recorder]] |
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|author=Tony W. Cartledge |
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|accessdate=2010-08-27}}</ref> |
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|work=[[Biblical Recorder]] |
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|access-date=2010-08-27 |
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|url-status=dead |
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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726114756/http://www.biblicalrecorder.org/news/8_18_2000/alaska.html |
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|archive-date=July 26, 2011 |
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|df=mdy |
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}}</ref> |
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As of 2000, there were 68 Southern Baptist congregations in Alaska with 22,959 adherents, making it the largest Protestant denomination and second largest Christian denomination after the Catholic Church which had 54,359 adherents.<ref>{{cite web |
As of 2000, there were 68 Southern Baptist congregations in Alaska with 22,959 adherents, making it the largest Protestant denomination and second largest Christian denomination after the Catholic Church which had 54,359 adherents.<ref>{{cite web |
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|title=State Membership Report – Alaska |
|title=State Membership Report – Alaska |
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|work=The Association of Religion Data Archives |
|work=The Association of Religion Data Archives |
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| |
|access-date=2010-08-27 |
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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303182409/http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/state/02_2000.asp |
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By November 2003 there were 73 Alaska Baptist churches and 28 missions.<ref>{{cite web |
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|archive-date=March 3, 2016 |
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|url=http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?ID=17000 |
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|url-status=dead |
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}}</ref> By November 2003, there were 73 Alaska Baptist churches and 28 missions.<ref>{{cite web |
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|url=http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?ID=17000 |
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|title=Alaska convention emphasizes prayer, missions, evangelism |
|title=Alaska convention emphasizes prayer, missions, evangelism |
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|work=Baptist Press |
|work=Baptist Press |
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|date=Nov 4, 2003 |
|date=Nov 4, 2003 |
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| |
|access-date=2010-08-27 |
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|url-status=dead |
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The ABC was assisted between 2000 and 2004 by the [[Baptist State Convention of North Carolina]], which sent 5,667 volunteers to assist in growth of the Alaska organization during that period. |
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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306034241/http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?ID=17000 |
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Total membership had risen to 16,506 in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |
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|archive-date=March 6, 2012 |
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|url=http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?ID=19328 |
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|df=mdy |
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}}</ref> The ABC was assisted between 2000 and 2004 by the [[Baptist State Convention of North Carolina]], which sent 5,667 volunteers to assist in growth of the Alaska organization during that period. Total membership had risen to 16,506 in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |
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|url=http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?ID=19328 |
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|title=Alaska Baptists report increases in Bible study, baptisms |
|title=Alaska Baptists report increases in Bible study, baptisms |
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|work=Baptist Press |
|work=Baptist Press |
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|date=Oct 11, 2004 |
|date=Oct 11, 2004 |
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|author=Tony W. Cartledge |
|author=Tony W. Cartledge |
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| |
|access-date=2010-08-27 |
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|url-status=dead |
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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306034303/http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?ID=19328 |
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|archive-date=March 6, 2012 |
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|df=mdy |
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}}</ref> |
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== |
==Organization== |
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The mission of the ABC is to assist, challenge, and encourage affiliated churches and associations to fulfill the [[Great Commission]], to spread the word of [[Jesus Christ]]. |
The mission of the ABC is to assist, challenge, and encourage affiliated churches and associations to fulfill the [[Great Commission]], to spread the word of [[Jesus Christ]]. The Chugach, Hatcher Pass, Tanana Valley and Tongass Baptist Associations are affiliated to the ABC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alaskabaptistconvention.com/AboutUs/aboutushome.html |title=About Us |publisher=Alaska Baptist Convention |access-date=2010-08-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316223204/http://www.alaskabaptistconvention.com/AboutUs/aboutushome.html |archive-date=March 16, 2010 }}</ref> The ABC's trust agency, the Alaska Baptist Foundation, raises and manages endowment funds, providing support to Alaska and Southern Baptist agencies, institutions and causes.<ref>{{cite web |
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The Chugach, Hatcher Pass, Tanana Valley and Tongass Baptist Associations are affiliated to the ABC.<ref>{{cite web |
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|url=http://www.alaskabaptistconvention.com/AboutUs/aboutushome.html |
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|title=About Us |
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|publisher=Alaska Baptist Convention |
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|accessdate=2010-08-27}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> |
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The ABC's trust agency, the Alaska Baptist Foundation, raises and manages endowment funds, providing support to Alaska and Southern Baptist agencies, institutions and causes.<ref>{{cite web |
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|url=http://www.alaskabaptistfoundation.com/AboutUs.html |
|url=http://www.alaskabaptistfoundation.com/AboutUs.html |
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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170308/http://www.alaskabaptistfoundation.com/AboutUs.html |
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|url-status=dead |
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|archive-date=2016-03-03 |
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|title=Welcome to the website of the Alaska Baptist Foundation |
|title=Welcome to the website of the Alaska Baptist Foundation |
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|publisher=Alaska Baptist Foundation |
|publisher=Alaska Baptist Foundation |
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|access-date=2010-08-27}} </ref> Alaska Baptist Family Services, an agency established by the ABC and three established Southern Baptist churches in 1946, operates an orphanage for children in need, including the severely mentally disturbed.<ref>{{cite web |
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|accessdate=2010-08-27}} {{Dead link|date=November 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> |
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|url=http://www.alaskabaptistfamilyservices.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=31 |
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Alaska Baptist Family Services, an agency established by the ABC and three established Southern Baptist churches in 1946, operates an orphanage for children in need, including the severely mentally disturbed.<ref>{{cite web |
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|url=http://www.alaskabaptistfamilyservices.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=31 |
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090721063850/http://www.alaskabaptistfamilyservices.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=31 |
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|url-status=dead |
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|title=History |
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|archive-date=July 21, 2009 |
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|publisher=Alaska Baptist Family Services |
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|title=History |
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|accessdate=2010-08-27}}</ref> |
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|publisher=Alaska Baptist Family Services |
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|access-date=2010-08-27 |
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}}</ref> |
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The [[Wayland Baptist University]] has an Anchorage campus that is affiliated with the ABC. Although it is a Christian, faith-based institution, it is open to people of all faiths.<ref>{{cite web |
The [[Wayland Baptist University]] has an Anchorage campus that is affiliated with the ABC. Although it is a Christian, faith-based institution, it is open to people of all faiths.<ref>{{cite web |
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|title=Dean's Message |
|title=Dean's Message |
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|publisher=Wayland Baptist University, Anchorage |
|publisher=Wayland Baptist University, Anchorage |
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| |
|access-date=2010-08-27| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100713115108/http://www.wbu.edu/anchorage/about_wbu_anchorage/deans_message/default.htm| archive-date= July 13, 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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<references> |
<references> |
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<ref name=Baker1980>{{cite book|title=Relations between Northern and Southern Baptists|series=Baptist tradition|author=Robert Andrew Baker|publisher=Ayer Publishing|year=1980 |
<ref name=Baker1980>{{cite book|title=Relations between Northern and Southern Baptists|series=Baptist tradition|author=Robert Andrew Baker|publisher=Ayer Publishing|year=1980|isbn=978-0-405-12457-0|pages=213}}</ref> |
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<ref name=Fletcher1994>{{cite book|title=The Southern Baptist Convention: a sesquicentennial history|author=Jesse C. Fletcher|publisher=[[B&H Publishing Group|Broadman & |
<ref name=Fletcher1994>{{cite book|title=The Southern Baptist Convention: a sesquicentennial history|author=Jesse C. Fletcher|publisher=[[B&H Publishing Group|Broadman & Holman]]|year=1994|isbn=978-0-8054-1167-6|pages=187}}</ref> |
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</references> |
</references> |
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{{Coord|61|07|21.8|N|149|50|55|W|display=title}} |
{{Coord|61|07|21.8|N|149|50|55|W|display=title}} |
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[[Category:Baptist |
[[Category:Baptist Christianity in Alaska]] |
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[[Category:Protestantism in Alaska]] |
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[[Category:Conventions associated with the Southern Baptist Convention]] |
[[Category:Conventions associated with the Southern Baptist Convention]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Christian organizations established in 1946]] |
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[[Category:Baptist denominations established in the 20th century]] |
[[Category:Baptist denominations established in the 20th century]] |
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[[Category:1946 establishments in Alaska]] |
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Latest revision as of 16:57, 14 October 2023
The Alaska Baptist Convention (ABC) is an autonomous association of Baptist churches located in the U.S. state of Alaska. It is one of the state conventions associated with the Southern Baptist Convention.[1] The first Southern Baptist church in Alaska was established in 1943, with just 17 members, and the ABC was formed in 1946. Today, Alaskan Southern Baptists are the largest Protestant denomination in Alaska with over 20,000 members.
History
[edit]The first Southern Baptist church in Alaska was First Baptist Church, Anchorage, organized in September 1943. The new church had 17 members, including two civilians and 15 soldiers.[2] The church was founded by soldiers at nearby Fort Richardson, and later started a number of sister churches in Alaska.[3] The ABC was formed in 1946 as the union of several Alaskan Baptist churches. Although it petitioned the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) for recognition as a state convention in 1947, the SBC did not formally recognize the ABC until 1951, after the ABC had submitted a second petition for recognition in 1950.[4] An amendment to the SBC's constitution had been required in order to allow the ABC, and several other small state conventions, to become associated with the SBC. In the meantime, in 1948, the ABC had received assistance from the SBC's Home Mission Board.[5]
In the first half of the 20th century, most African American Baptists were members of churches unaffiliated with the SBC. Greater Friendship Baptist Church in Anchorage was an exception, voting to affiliate with the SBC in 1951. In 1997, this church's 11th pastor, Leon D. May, was elected president of the Alaska Baptist Convention.[6]
In January 1975, the ABC held a three-day Evangelistic conference with the theme of "Reconciliation Through Christ" in preparation for the annual Simultaneous Revivals scheduled for March of that year.[7] 48 Baptist missions and churches participated in the "Proclamation 76" revivals in 1976.[8] The ABC's budget rose above $1 million for the first time in 1981.[9] In January 1982, the Convention elected John H. Allen as their new executive director to succeed Allen Meeks, who was retiring for health reasons.[10] Meeks had previously been education director of First Baptist Church, Anchorage and director of religious education for the Alaska Baptist Convention.[11] At their annual meeting in August 1997, the ABC endorsed a recent SBC resolution to boycott the Disney Company for moral stewardship reasons in light of what they called an anti-family direction taken by the entertainment conglomerate.[12]
Gennady Abramov, superintendent of the Russian Baptist Federation in Far East Russia attended the 1998 annual meeting, where a three-year partnership between Baptists in Alaska and Far East Russia was inaugurated. The budget approved at the meeting was $1,723,226.[13] By 1999, total resident membership was 10,096. At the ABC's annual meeting in August 2000, the executive director Cloyd Sullins retired after five year in office, handing over to David Baldwin. In his retirement speech, Sullins said that evangelism and missions are major priorities for the ABC due to the partnership with Far East Russia.[14]
As of 2000, there were 68 Southern Baptist congregations in Alaska with 22,959 adherents, making it the largest Protestant denomination and second largest Christian denomination after the Catholic Church which had 54,359 adherents.[15] By November 2003, there were 73 Alaska Baptist churches and 28 missions.[16] The ABC was assisted between 2000 and 2004 by the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, which sent 5,667 volunteers to assist in growth of the Alaska organization during that period. Total membership had risen to 16,506 in 2004.[17]
Organization
[edit]The mission of the ABC is to assist, challenge, and encourage affiliated churches and associations to fulfill the Great Commission, to spread the word of Jesus Christ. The Chugach, Hatcher Pass, Tanana Valley and Tongass Baptist Associations are affiliated to the ABC.[18] The ABC's trust agency, the Alaska Baptist Foundation, raises and manages endowment funds, providing support to Alaska and Southern Baptist agencies, institutions and causes.[19] Alaska Baptist Family Services, an agency established by the ABC and three established Southern Baptist churches in 1946, operates an orphanage for children in need, including the severely mentally disturbed.[20]
The Wayland Baptist University has an Anchorage campus that is affiliated with the ABC. Although it is a Christian, faith-based institution, it is open to people of all faiths.[21]
References
[edit]- ^ "State Conventions and Local Associations: Alaska". Southern Baptist Convention. Archived from the original on August 26, 2010. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- ^ Todd Starnes (April 7, 2000). "Cooperative Program giving boosts Alaska church's can-do attitude". Baptist Press. Archived from the original on March 6, 2012. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
- ^ Mike Ebert (February 9, 2010). "NAMB commissions 30 during AK service". Baptist Press. Archived from the original on April 11, 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
- ^ Robert Andrew Baker (1980). Relations between Northern and Southern Baptists. Baptist tradition. Ayer Publishing. p. 213. ISBN 978-0-405-12457-0.
- ^ Jesse C. Fletcher (1994). The Southern Baptist Convention: a sesquicentennial history. Broadman & Holman. p. 187. ISBN 978-0-8054-1167-6.
- ^ "After a century of separatism; four historic churches emerged in the SBC". Florida Baptist Witness. January 28, 2003. Archived from the original on March 7, 2012. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
- ^ "Baptists Meet Tuesday". Anchorage Daily News. January 25, 1975. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- ^ "People and Events". Anchorage Daily News. March 27, 1976. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- ^ "Baptist paper names editor". Anchorage Daily News. August 22, 1981. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- ^ "Baptist Convention Elects New Director". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- ^ "Baptist Leader Steps Down". Anchorage Daily News. December 12, 1981. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- ^ "Alaska Baptists begin partnership, endorse SBC's boycott of Disney". Baptist Press. August 13, 1997. Archived from the original on March 20, 2012. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
- ^ "Alaskan Baptists undertake Far East Russian partnership". Baptist Press. September 1, 1998. Archived from the original on March 6, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- ^ Tony W. Cartledge (August 18, 2000). "Alaska Baptists OK new leader, constitution". Biblical Recorder. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
- ^ "State Membership Report – Alaska". The Association of Religion Data Archives. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- ^ "Alaska convention emphasizes prayer, missions, evangelism". Baptist Press. November 4, 2003. Archived from the original on March 6, 2012. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
- ^ Tony W. Cartledge (October 11, 2004). "Alaska Baptists report increases in Bible study, baptisms". Baptist Press. Archived from the original on March 6, 2012. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
- ^ "About Us". Alaska Baptist Convention. Archived from the original on March 16, 2010. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- ^ "Welcome to the website of the Alaska Baptist Foundation". Alaska Baptist Foundation. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- ^ "History". Alaska Baptist Family Services. Archived from the original on July 21, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- ^ "Dean's Message". Wayland Baptist University, Anchorage. Archived from the original on July 13, 2010. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
Further reading
[edit]- Davis C. Wooley, ed. (1958). "Alaska Baptist Convention". Encyclopedia of Southern Baptists. Vol. 3. Broadman Press. pp. 1559–1561. ISBN 978-0-8054-6511-2.
- Alaska Baptist Convention: Baptist expansion in the last frontier: celebrating 40 years of Southern Baptist missions, 1946–1986. Anchorage: Alaska Baptist Convention. 1986.
- This Is the Work of God: Celebrating Our 50th Anniversary, 1946–1996. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Baptist Convention. 1996.