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JULY 20, 2013

A NEW COMMITMENT IN 2013
///FROM THE
PRESIDENT'S DESK
 
"Justice for Trayvon Martin 
and the Need to Uplift Detroit"
Dr. Carroll A. Baltimore, Sr.
 

 

The struggle for equality and justice for all continues. I am currently in Asia, and have heard the not-guilty verdict for George Zimmerman on charges of killing an innocent and unarmed youth named Trayvon Martin, an individual that Zimmerman pursued against police orders.  

I experienced shock and disbelief that Zimmerman was found not guilty on all counts against him. I also feel anger as many of you do.

 

We often march in protest against injustice and other ills of society. But, we also need to be actively advocating and voting at the local, state and national levels. The "Stand Your Ground" law is not a national law, but a state law.  Indeed, much of the legislation that has been enacted in the past decade that has been detrimental to people of color has been enacted at the state and local levels and this is one place where we can fight back. 

 

We stand with the family of Trayvon Martin as they pursue other avenues of justice,  We pray for all families whose pain is felt daily due to the loss of a loved one as a result of senseless murders.

 

As we seek to continue securing our future, join me in Detroit, MI for the PNBC 52nd Annual Session. We will address many of the injustices our people have experienced and how to systematically tackle them. We have special guests specializing in civil and human rights issues; Dr. Otis Moss, Jr, Dr. Frederick Haynes, III, Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Rabbi David Saperstein, and others.


I
have also heard about the unfortunate news of the City of Detroit's bankruptcy filing. My heartfelt prayers go out to the Pastors and people of Detroit. 

 

I believe that this is another attempt to disenfranchise a city that is home to so many people of color. The Unites States has made so many incredible strides in the area of justice post emancipation. However, our nation appears to be moving backward in all of the laws enacted to provide life, liberty and justice for all. 

 

Now we are in the 21st century and injustice abounds in all areas of our daily lives. While the United States promotes justice around the world, injustices remain right at home in our own soicety. I believe that God has divinely ordered the steps of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. (PNBC) to come to Detroit, MI for our 52 Annual Session for such a historical time as this. We are ready to come, and are focused with a Prophetic Agenda from "The Almighty" to lift not only PNBC, but also Detroit to new heights.

  

We pray for life, liberty and justice for all as we move to action.

 

Yours for Justice,

Dr. Carroll A. Baltimore, Sr.

19th President

 

PNBC's Resolution on Stand Your Ground Laws and Honoring the Life Trayvon Benjamin Martin (Adopted August 9, 2012, Memphis, TN)

 

WHEREAS, on October 1, 2005, Florida became the first state to pass the "Personal Protection Bill" eliminating the requirement to retreat (duty to retreat) first in case of self-defense, defending ones house against intruders and became known as the "Stand Your Ground" law and in some instances "Shoot To Kill"; AND

 

WHEREAS, Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law includes an "immunity provision" that protects the shooter from arrest unless police can determine that the force used was indeed unlawful; AND

 

Click Here for More

 

PROGRESSIVE NEWS 

PNBC ANNUAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

 

The 52nd Annual Session of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. will convene in Detroit, Michigan, August 4-9, 2013.

Special Session on Voting Rights

The PNBC will be in session on August 6, 2013, the 48th Anniversary of the signing of the "Voting Rights Acts of 1965." On Tuesday, at 10:30 am, we have a special opening session celebrating the Civil Rights Era and the signing of the "Voting Rights Act." Dr. Otis Moss, Jr., a civil rights icon in his own right, will be our preacher to share insight and wisdom as only he can. 

 

Dr. Otis Moss, Jr.

The "Voting Rights Act" has been perhaps the single most important tool to protect the right to vote for all of God's children, and its protections are needed just as much today as they were 50 years ago. We know that on June 25, 2013 the US Supreme Court ruled against critical portions of the bill. The Supreme Court's decision is a slap in the face to African Americans, people of color, and the legacy of Dr. King. 

 

But, it is also a wake-up call for Progressive Baptists and for people who love justice to rise to action. Immediately following the Tuesday morning session, there will be a press conference urging our nation's legislators to enact and implement justice.

 

Another issue that we will tackle is human trafficking and sex slavery. The recent rescue of Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus, and Michelle Knight in Cleveland has highlighted this issue. 

 

Rev. Brook Parker-Bello

Our special guest, Rev. Brook Parker-Bello founder of More Too Life, Inc. and a survivor of this evil will discuss with the Youth Department on Tuesday, and with Others on Wednesday the very present reality that African Americans children are often exploited and affected the most. She will share the critical role that the church must assume in preventing and stopping this tragedy. 

 

Following is a list of key presenters

  • Monday, August 5, 2013
    • o   Laymen Evangelistic Outreach:  Street witnessing, visitation, and more
    • o   Missions & Evangelism Service:  Bishop Charles H Ellis, III, Presiding Bishop, Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (P.A.W.), and Senior Pastor, Greater Grace Temple in Detroit, MI. 
bishop ellis
Bishop Charles Ellis, III
  • Tuesday, August 6, 2013
    • o   Harold A. Carter, Sr. "Hour of Prayer"
    • o   52nd Opening Session:  Special Civil Rights Celebration,

48th Anniversary of the signing of the "Civil Rights Voting Act of 1965",

Dr. Otis Moss, Jr., Keynote Preacher

  • o   Minister's Seminar:  Rev. Romal Tune, Presenter
  • o   Prison Ministry & Laymen Department Luncheon:  Dr. Freddie Haynes, Keynote Preacher
  • o   Youth Department Presentation:  Rev. Brook Parker-Bello, Presenter
  • o   PNBC Youth 50th Anniversary Celebration:  Judge Greg Mathis, Keynote Speaker
Judge Greg Mathis
  • Wednesday, August 7, 2013
    • o   Parent Body Session: Gardner C. Taylor Hour, Dr. Reginald Porter, Sr., Keynote Preacher
    • o   Peterson/Daniels Education Banquet:  Rabbi David Saperstein, Keynote Speaker
Rabbi David Saperstein
  • Thursday, August 8, 2013
    • o   Parent Body Session:  Dr. Delores James Cain, Keynote Preacher
    • o   Prison Ministry & Laymen Department Luncheon:  Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Keynote Preacher
    • o   Ministers' Seminar:  Rev. Brook Parker-Bello, Presenter
  • Thursday, August 8, 2013 
    • o   PNBC President's Night:  Dr. Carroll A. Baltimore, Sr.

19th President, Annual Address

  • Friday, August 9, 2013
    • o   PNBC Closing Session & Communion: 

Rev. Edward C. Turner, Keynote Preacher

 

We will also hear from representatives from the Departments of Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, Department of Education, and the NAACP on important subjects. Representatives from the White House Faith-based Offices will also discuss psychological health, the Affordable Health Care Act, the Million Hearts Initiative, and several educational programs specifically for youth.

 

These are just a few of the highlights from our annual session. We also have a vast array of Congress classes to keep us equipped as we seek to "Secure Our Future" as a people of service, and late night preaching. 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE ANNUAL MEETING CLASS AND RESERVATION FORMS 



Telephone Reservations may be made by calling (877) 901-6632 

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO REGISTER!
 
PNBC MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
 
PNBC Member Named Virginia "Usher of the Year"
 
PNBC member Phil Chambers a member of the Mount Zion Baptist Church, Arlington, Virginia and Co-Chair of the PNBC Property and Finance Committee has been named the "Virginia Usher of the Year."
 
                          Click Here for More
 
PROGRESSIVELY 
HOT BLOGS...

"Too 
Many Trayvons" 
by Kip Banks, Sr.
  

Many of us can't get the story about Trayvon Martin and the recent court verdict on his homicide out of our heads.  It is a story about the senseless killing of a young man who was shot dead as he made his way home in the rain, with a bag of skittles and a bottle of ice tea in his hands.  

 

What is so painful is that Trayvon was a teenager who "majored in cheerfulness" but because of racial profiling, that didn't prevent him from being preyed upon.  

 

Adding insult to injury is the way in which the justice system handled the case, ultimately resulting in a verdict which declared that George Zimmerman, Trayvon's killer, was innocent of committing a crime.  However, the real and disturbing message issued in the Trayvon Martin Case is that the lives of young African American boys are worthless in the eyes of our justice system and in the eyes of many in the American public.

 

Click Here for More

  

   

 


"Skittle and Ice Tea Communion"
by Robert Houston

Recently I was made aware of a "movement" by some ministers following the tragic miscarriage of justice in the George Zimmerman case. 

 

Believe me, I am outraged, angered, shocked, as is most (not all) Americans. However, the stage and platform for the protest honestly has me scratching my head.

 




 

 

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