Helping Baptists celebrate 400 years, 1609-2009: Baptists have occupied a place in world history for almost four centuries, growing from one tiny congregation in Amsterdam in 1609 to hundreds of thousands of churches today.

Eager to help Baptists celebrate their 400th anniversary, the Baptist History and Heritage Society elected a planning committee in 2004. That committee met in early 2005 and developed a creative set of plans to be implemented in 2006-2009. The BH&HS unanimously adopted those plans in June 2005. A brief sketch of the plans follows.

PUBLICATIONS--In October 2006 the BH&HS will release seven pamphlets in The Baptist Origins Series. They will focus on the beginnings of Baptists in England and America; on the origins of the American Baptist Churches, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, and Southern Baptist Convention; and on the beginnings of African American Baptists and Hispanic Baptists (this last pamphlet will be published in English and Spanish editions).

In 2007-2009 the BH&HS will release reprints of several dissertations that focus on critical issues in Baptist history. A special reprints committee comprised of Carolyn D. Blevins (retired from Carson-Newman College), William H. Brackney (Acadia University and Divinity College), and Bill J. Leonard (Wake Forest University Divinity School) will recommend the dissertations to be reprinted.

In 2008 the society will publish a book on Baptist heroes for younger youth/older children. Julie Long, minister to children and families at First Baptist Church, Macon, Georgia, will be the writer.

In 2009 the society will publish two books, a capsule history of Baptists and a capsule history of Baptist principles. Respective writers will be William H. Brackney (Acadia University and Divinity College) and Bruce Gourley (The Center for Baptist Studies of Mercer University).

ANNUAL MEETINGS--The BH&HS will hold its annual meetings around themes important to Baptist development: "African Americans in Baptist History" (2007), "Baptists and First Amendment Issues" (2008), and "Events Shaping Baptist Heritage in America" (2009). Respectively, these three meetings will be hosted by Campbellsville University; The Center for Baptist Studies of Mercer University and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Georgia; and the First Baptist Church of Huntsville, Alabama.

WORKSHOPS--In 2006-2008 the BH&HS staff will conduct workshops that provide suggestions for churches on how to research, write, and publish a history; how to celebrate an anniversary; and how to celebrate Baptists' 400th anniversary.

SCHOLARSHIPS--In 2008-2009 the society will award a $1,000 scholarship each year to a student doing research in Baptist studies.

INTERNATIONAL TOUR OF BAPTIST SITES--In 2009 the BH&HS will coordinate a tour of Baptist historical sites in England and other European countries.

WEBSITE--In 2006-2009 the society will construct and maintain a new section on its website (www.baptisthistory.org) titled "Countdown to 2009."

ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN AND GRANT WRITING--In 2006-2009 the BH&HS will plan and launch an endowment campaign titled "$400,000 for 400 Years." The staff will also initiate the writing of grant proposals to raise funds for special projects.

YOUR PARTICIPATION IS IMPORTANT--I encourage every Baptist church, association, convention, fellowship, institution, and other organization to consider making special plans to conduct your own celebration of Baptists' 400th year. Please let the BH&HS know if we can provide resources and/or information that will help make your celebration a success.

Charles W. Deweese

Executive Director-Treasurer

Baptist History and Heritage Society