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OBJECTIVES, MISSIONS & BELIEFS

The GBSC has as its motto “Christian Education, Missions, Benevolence. It is these three overarching principles that has inspired and mobilized the men and women of our convention since 1867. This motto, developed into an action plan, has given form to the “Objectives” of the GBSC.

The “Objectives” represents the active engagement of GBSC in the missionary outreach for which it was formed.   On the four page links below you will find  the Objectives of the GBSC, they include: State Missions, Shaw, Central Children’s Home and  Lott Carey.

The above quote from the founders of the General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, represents the core purpose of our existence as a convention, as stated: “we were formed to support the Gospel ministry and to promote missions.”  This Is Who We Are.

This mandate of purpose charges us with spreading the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It also tasks us with responding to the needs of the indigent, the homeless, the sick and infirmed, the orphans, and the less fortunate. We are also compelled in spirit by our founders to create safe havens for spiritual development and the study of God’s word.

State Missions represents our response to the spiritual and physical needs of our state. Throughout our history this has taken the form of evangelism, Christian education, disaster relief, and providing shelter for those in need. This responsibility of State Missions is extensive because our response is to the needs of communities throughout all 100 counties in the state of North Carolina.

J. J. Johnson Baptist Assembly represents a major aspect of State Missions. Just as important is our response to the many incidents of disaster relief.

In Princeville, North Carolina, the GBSC played a major role in rebuilding housing stock after the devastation caused by the floods of 1999. Princeville, North Carolina was founded in 1865 on the banks of the Tar River by formerly enslaved Africans at the end of the Civil War. Chartered in 1885, it is the nation’s first independently governed African American community. In 1999, much of Princeville was lost when flooding from back-to-back hurricanes devastated the city. The city’s 2,100 residents, many of them descendants of the original settlers, found their homes submerged under water for two weeks. They lost virtually everything.

These unprecedented floods consumed all of Princeville and many surrounding communities. The General Baptist State Convention was there in Princeville, on the ground, as we have been in so many other communities, large and small, since 1867.

It is our fervent hope that you assist us in our ongoing State Missions activities. The GBSC has been successful in responding to the needs of the North Carolina communities because of your constant and faithful physical and financial support. We ask that you continue to support our State Missions with your donation.

 

The Lott Carey movement was founded in 1897 by African-American Baptists who were committed to a substantial foreign mission thrust – especially on the African continent. They believed that nothing should distract the church from executing its primary objective of advancing God’s mission throughout the world. Since the founding, Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention has single-mindedly invested in Christian missions around the world.

Lott Carey bears the name of the Rev. Lott Carey, who was one of the first American and Baptist missionaries to West Africa. Born enslaved in 1780 in Charles City County, Virginia, Lott Carey purchased his freedom in 1813. He led a pioneering missionary team to Liberia in 1821 that engaged in evangelism, education, and health care. Rev. Carey became a well-respected and gifted governmental leader as well as missionary until his death in 1928. He was also the organizing pastor for the first Baptist church in Liberia – the Providence Baptist Church in Monrovia.

 

 

The Lott Carey Missions organization believes that education is key for the security and well being of a community and a country. Preparing the minds and hearts of new generations of Liberians for leadership and citizenship is our goal. We have educated children in Liberia since 1908, and we will continue to do so effectively throughout the 21st Century. We are committed to the education of girls, to special literacy programs, and to education for children who have special needs. We have been a part of the best of the country in the past, and we intend to be part of a secure and prosperous future.

Lott Carey Mission School started in 1908.  Since then, the bright flame has continued to shine to dispel the darkness of ignorance and provide to generations the light of education.  We are now in our second century of providing light to pierce the dark clouds.  The light we are providing is high quality education in a nurturing, caring, and learning community.  Although we operate from two locations – Brewerville, Montserrado County, and in Bopolu, Gbarpolu County – the impact of this institution is felt far beyond the territorial boundaries of Liberia.  There are graduates of Lott Carey scattered throughout the world, making their marks, holding out the light for others to see and follow, and finding salvation for their souls, bodies and minds.  

The General Baptist State Convention is proud to partner and be a major sponsor of Lott Carey.   We ask that you assist us in supporting their ongoing missions work by donating now

 

WHAT WE BELIEVE

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us, and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried.

We believe the Scriptures teach that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is Jehovah, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.

We believe the Scriptures teach that Man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgressions fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.

We believe that the Scriptures teach that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God; who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and by his death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior.

We believe the Scriptures teach that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in him is justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood; by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.

We believe that the Scriptures teach that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own determined depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.

We believe that the Scriptures teach that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith, and newness of life.

We believe the Scriptures teach that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our prophet, priest and king, and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior.

We believe the Scriptures teach that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the Gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.

We believe the Scriptures teach that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means especially the word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.

We believe the Scriptures teach that such only are real believers as endure to the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

We believe the Scriptures teach that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government; that it is holy, just and good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts, arise entirely from their love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is one great end of the Gospel, and of the Means of Grace connected with the establishment of the visible church.

We believe the Scriptures teach that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by his laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its only scriptural officers are Pastors, and Deacons whose Qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.

We believe the Scriptures teach that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost; to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect, in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation; and to the Lord’s Supper, in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.

We believe the Scriptures teach that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day, or Christian Sabbath, and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreations, by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public, and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God.

We believe the Scriptures teach that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interest and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the Kings of the earth.

We believe the Scriptures teach that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in his esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death.

We believe the Scriptures teach that the end of the world is approaching; that at the last day, Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave for final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.

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