The Rev. Boise Kimber has been officially appointed as the president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., during the organization’s midwinter board meeting, where he expressed his vision of fostering inclusivity for women and younger leaders within the predominantly Black denomination.
A significant turnout at Birmingham, Alabama’s historic Sixteenth Street Baptist Church saw approximately 2,000 attendees come together for a three-hour service on January 13, marking the occasion. The event included a sold-out inauguration ball planned for the following day, with around 500 people expected to attend.
As pastor of a church in New Haven, Connecticut, Kimber received greetings from various officers representing other Black Christian organizations, such as the Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention and the Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship. His predecessor, the Rev. Jerry Young, conducted the installation, underscoring the necessity of maintaining a robust spiritual foundation as a leader.
Young, who concluded two consecutive five-year terms, advised Kimber, “You can’t lead Black Baptists without orders from Jehovah,” emphasizing the importance of spending time in communion with God.
The choice of Sixteenth Street Baptist Church as the site for Kimber’s installation carries deep historical significance, as it was the location of a tragic bombing by the Ku Klux Klan over 60 years ago, resulting in the loss of four young girls’ lives. Notably, Kimber also selected this church for his 2023 candidacy announcement.
In a recent interview prior to his official installation, Kimber articulated his primary goals for the convention, which include revitalizing the headquarters in Nashville, focusing on Christian education, strengthening connections with younger members, and incorporating women into administrative roles.
Attendees gathered at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex to conduct business, participate in worship sessions, and engage in a workshop on “trauma-informed ministry,” slated to close the event.
In a tense election held in September, Kimber emerged victorious, being the only candidate on the ballot after receiving the requisite 100 endorsements to qualify. Ultimately, he won 69% of the votes, despite 31% voting against him. Rev. Alvin Love, one of the other ministers who previously sought a spot on the ballot, expressed his issues with the election process rather than with Kimber himself, stating his support for Kimber’s approach to inclusivity.
Love voiced his hopes that the transition toward inclusivity occurs more swiftly and at a greater scale, adding, “But he’s doing much more than anybody before him ever did in that area.” Kimber, when addressing the absence of female vice presidents within the convention, assured that progress toward inclusivity is in motion.
The Rev. A. Michael Charles Durant, the newly appointed chairman of the NBCUSA board, noted that there has been growth in women’s roles within the organization, beyond traditional areas such as Christian education and missions.
The installation service included prayers from Rev. Valerie Thompson and the introduction of NBCUSA officers by the Rev. Nicole Guns, who expressed her enthusiasm about working with Kimber and fellow millennials.
Rev. Christopher Davis, the new general secretary of NBCUSA, highlighted efforts to provide younger clergy members opportunities to take on significant roles during meetings and workshops, emphasizing the need for intentionality in creating pathways for future leaders.
In addition to forming his administration, Kimber remarked on the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, whom he admired for embodying faith through action, and announced aid efforts following the California wildfires.
On the day of his installation, Kimber initiated an economic development committee aimed at engaging with corporations to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives directed at supporting Black communities.
Following a signed agreement with the Gamaliel National Network, Kimber expressed optimism regarding the diversity of attendees at the convention center and spoke on efforts to recover from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly impacted memberships within the organization.
He stated, “We are rebuilding what we’ve lost and bringing people back to our denomination and to our local churches,” noting that a diverse crowd of young people, women, and seniors present at the meetings provided a hopeful outlook for the future.
