History of

Florida General Baptist Convention, Inc.

Records of the organization of a state convention in Florida began with a resolution by the Rev James Page of the Bethlehem Association during its 1873 Association meeting in March.  This resolution called for the formation of a convention five months later, and comprised of “two Associations instead of one.”
 
The records show that the convention was organized in March, 1874, in keeping with the above, and adopted the name “Florida Bethlehem Baptist State Convention.”  The elected officers were:  President, Elder John A. Potter, of Monticello; Secretary, Elder John N. Stokes, Sr. of Tallahassee, and Treasurer, Elder C. B. Simmons of Jacksonville.  At the March meeting a total of 56 churches were represented.
 
In 1875, at the session of the Convention held at the African Baptist Church, in Live Oak, February 12 – 13, the name was changed to the “Convention of the Missionary Baptist Churches of Florida.”  This was to help with distinguishing between the Bethlehem Association and the Convention.  
 
Several new associations were formed following the 1873 resolution calling for the formation of more associations.  Among these in 1874 was Jerusalem Baptist Association, covering chiefly Alachua County with Gainesville as the center, and Rev. Frank Dansey serving as its first moderator.  In 1875 the Second Bethlehem Baptist Association was formed, covering territory primarily of Marion County, with Ocala as the headquarters, and Rev. Samuel Small serving as its first moderator.
 
Other associations formed between 1874 and 1879 included the Nazarene Association, comprising a territory extending from Putnam County to as far South as Hillsborough County.  This Association later merged with the Second Bethlehem, and the name “Nazarene” was dropped.  The Central Association’s territory included Columbia, Hamilton, and Suwannee Counties with headquarters in Lake City.  The First West Florida Association was headed by Rev. Robert Ahrens and included the churches in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties, with Pensacola as headquarters.  The Second West Florida Association, formed in 1874, had its headquarters in Marianna and included churches in Jackson and Gadsden Counties.  The Rev. Richard Ellis of Greenwood served as its first moderator.  Each of these associations extended its territory as churches developed in adjacent counties.
 
At the 1880 session of the Convention, the name was changed again. This time the name became

“Baptist State Convention of Florida.”

In 1881, an invitation was sent Second Baptist, Nazarene, Jerusalem and East Florida Associations, asking them to meet at the State Convention convening at the Bethel Baptist Church in Jacksonville, on Thursday before the second Lord’s Day in February.  The purpose was to form a general Convention for the State of Florida to work for increased support of the newly established school, Florida Institute at Live Oak and also the work of extending the Master’s Kingdom.  This meeting was not to form a new Convention, but to revise the name and constitution of the Florida Baptist State Convention.
 
April 30, 1909, Certificate No. 21025 was filed and the Baptist General State Convention of Florida became Incorporation.  The name of the Corporation was the “Baptist General State Convention of Florida.”  The names on the application for the Corporation were: Frank W. Lancaster, Jacksonville; J. O. Brooks, Jacksonville; G. W. Brooks, Jacksonville; N. W. Collier, Jacksonville; and C. S. Daniels, Jacksonville.
 
On January 6, 1984 a name change amendment was filed and the “Baptist General State Convention of Florida,” became “The Florida General Baptist Convention, Inc.” during the presidency of Dr. Henry J. Lyons.

SERVING PRESIDENTS:

The Florida General Baptist Convention, Inc. purchased land in 1984 in Putnam County for a retreat site under the administration of Dr. Henry J. Lyons.  The retreat site is known as the Indian Lake Retreat.

The headquarters for the Florida General Baptist Convention is located in Daytona Beach, FL.  The building was purchased during the administration of Dr. James C. Wise.

Rev. Dr. C.P. Preston was elected the Convention’s 23^rd president during its Annual Session in April, 2018 in Jacksonville, FL.  Dr. Preston is the 4^th pastor from the city of Miami to serve as President of this great convention.