Blog 161: Dr. Clifford A. Jones, Sr.: A Candidate for President of NBC, USA, Inc.

By Vernon M. Herron

     Dr. Clifford A. Jones, Sr. the eminent pastor of the renowned Friendship Missionary Baptist Church of Charlotte, NC is a candidate for President  of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. The 134^th  annual session of the convention will convene next September 1-5, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana at at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

     Dr. Julius Richard Scruggs, Senior Pastor of First Missionary Baptist Church in Huntsville, Alabama since 1977 is the current President and has announced that he will not be running for reelection. The President’s term is 5 years.

     Candidate Jones has a vision for the convention; it is a Spiritual Pilgrimage. It is a calling from God because there was no intention of seeking this office. It is reported that God wrestled with him until he finally accepted the calling to seek this noble office.

     His campaign and his presidency will be one that is Progressive, Practical and Principled. He will expand on a foundation already established by former presidents. That expansion will “strategically address the concerns of many, i.e., young and established pastors, small and large churches, ministers’ wives and all women, youth and church leadership, with a plan which will unfold over the next 20 to 30 years.” An example of how this expansion could unfold is his passion. It centers around preparing young pastors to be leaders, establish a leadership institute that Pastors could be involved in for two to three years.

     It is also noted that Dr. Jones intends to set goals which will be addressed from the national level and down to the churches. He plans to challenge the Convention to deal with issues and concerns which are relevant in the lives of its Christian base and “true to the original constitution set forth when NBC was first established.” NBC—are you listening?

     The following is a supportive resolution of the Deacon Service Ministry, and is presented on behalf of the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, a Charlotte mega congregation.

RESOLUTION

Let it be known that Dr. Clifford A. Jones, Sr. has served as the senior pastor of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church since October of 1982;

Whereas, under the visionary leadership of Pastor Jones, the membership has grown to more than 8,000, therefore expanding mission and ministry of this Christian body;

Whereas, this work and facilities have grown to include: 110 additional acres of land and a new church complex; My Sister’s House, a facility for homeless women, operated by the Friendship Community Development Corporation; Central Children’s Home of North Carolina, Inc. for orphaned children located in Oxford; construction of 10 Habitat for Humanity homes at a cost of $500,000.00; mobilization for catastrophic relief efforts in Princeville, North Carolina from Hurricane Floyd, and in Pamplico County from Hurricane Irene, as well as disaster efforts in Mississippi and Alabama;

Whereas, global initiatives have expanded to include: Jamaica, Guyana, Zimbabwe, Haiti and South Africa through the Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention; and Friendship’s International Children’s Outreach Ministry (ICOM) which has brought over 200 student ambassadors from South Africa to the United States since 1998.

Whereas, the Spirit of Christmas has provided for hundreds of homeless children each Christmas season, and the Community Table offering has fed thousands throughout the Charlotte region, as a result of monthly food donations at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.

Furthermore, Dr. Jones has served as President of the General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, Inc., President of the Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention, Vice President of the Baptist World Alliance, and is currently serving as Chairman of the Governance Committee of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.

Now, this visionary servant of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church embarks on this calling from God and his spiritual pilgrimage, to become the President of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.

Be it resolved that today, October 27, 2013, I, Carl M. Flamer, chair of the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Deacon Service Ministry Council, on behalf of the entire membership of Friendship Missionary Church, offer our full-fledged support of Dr. Clifford A. Jones, our First Lady, Mrs. C. Brenda Jones and their entire family as he begins this monumental journey. To God be the Glory and may He offer you continued grace, peace and blessings.

Amen

Contact Information

C Jones NBC 2014

3301 Beatties Ford Road

Charlotte, NC 28216

Email: info@cjonesfornbcusainc.com

Phone: 704-391-6603