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Dean of Baptist Congress puts faith in group’s youth
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BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Rounds of hallelujahs filled the 1st Mariner Arena as a choir lifted their voices and moved the crowd to their feet in honor of the Rev. George W. Waddles, keynote speaker for the National Baptist Convention, in town Tuesday.
The Rev. Waddles, Dean of the Congress of Christian Education, compiled the extensive curriculum for the Baptist convention Tuesday that filled 1st Mariner Arena and attracted 50,000 to Baltimore for a week of classes focusing on what he called “becoming better Bible students.”
“We know when you have stronger families and churches, it makes communities better. It increases camaraderie across the world,” said Waddles, who has taken up that cause.
He suggested changing the curriculum schedule so that convention attendees can take more than one class and learn more efficiently. He also suggested conferences for Sunday school pastors and superintendents to strengthen youth “Bible education to train them and retain them.”
Waddles was well-received by the attendees some of traveled great distances to take classes in all areas of Christian education from complicated subjects like the history of human existence to classes about hospitality and understanding the bible.
Gerald Adams, a minister at Greater True Friendship Baptist Church, came from Los Angeles to attend classes and hear Waddles speak.
“It’s a time of renewal for me,” Adams said, “As you preach Sunday after Sunday, it’s nice to hear fresh ideas and talk with other preachers.”
Waddles said he appreciates the state of Maryland and the City of Baltimore, where he feels major contributions have been made by black leaders. The audience nodded their heads and cheered on his enthusiasm for the convention.
“We’re fulfilling the task of Christian education to develop better teachers, strengthen leaders and support communities and these classes help people function in the context of the church,” Waddles explained, “We are becoming equipped disciples under the banner of national Baptists.”
cpeirce@baltimoreexaminer.com
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11:33 AM MST on Thu., Apr. 17, 2008 re: "National Baptist Convention will boost Baltimore economy"
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Examiner Reader said:
If the national Baptist Congress of Christian Leaders can sink an estimated $40,000,000 into the Baltimore economy couldn't they invest that money into building their own educational complex to house that and other conventions and keep the money in the black community and leave a legacy to future generations?
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robroy said:
It is sad that the love of Christ as what binds the church together has been replaced by the threat of lawsuits. As Paul said, "The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?" Win or lose, the Episcopal church is COMPLETELY DEFEATED.
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