About

In the mid 1920’s, Dr. J. R. Burdett was sent from Northern Baptist National Convention (Northeast) down to the south to train the frontier preachers and ministers that were from the South and the Southwest. Dr. J. R. Burdett served as the 1^st President of our alliance and organism. Even Bishop College was a mission movement in the west because the west was in uneducated territory. Attending Bishop College caused for someone to recommend you and Dr. J. R. Burdett recommended many who have become extremely successful. Dr. J. R. Burdett was the Pastor of the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, in the Fourth Ward area.

In late 1937 or early 1938 (according to how it is viewed), Dr. L. H. Simpson became our second President which was then called The Colored Baptist Ministers Association. From the penned book of Dr. Simpson, he stated: “This organization has the membership of pastors and non-pastors preachers of more than three hundred, some of whom are very outstanding in their services and achievements. Many ministers are identified in an active way with every movement that tends towards promotion of human welfare and good citizenship.” Dr. Simpson adds, “It has been ,and is now, the policy of this organization to intelligently and courageously consider and deal with issues and problems as they appear to suggest importance and challenge. This organization is not self-centered, yet it is not and cannot be indifferent to its own preservation and security. Thus in all of its dealings it must be conscious of its need and responsibility. The aims and objectives of this organization are Christian and patriotic—they do not conflict with those principles taught by our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Neither are they contrary to the constituted authorities, fundamental laws, and basic customs which are consistent with Christian principles and pure Americanism under the United States Constitution.” Under Dr. Simpson’s leadership, the organization was changed from The Colored Baptist Ministers Association to the Baptist Ministers Association. Dr. Simpson led this organization until 1967. Dr. L. H. Simpson was the Pastor of the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, in the Third Ward area.

In 1968, Dr. N. S. Brown was voted in as The Baptist Ministers Association’s third President. Under his leadership, there was another name change. This time the name encompassed more pastors and preachers and became The Baptist Ministers Association of Houston & Vicinity. We were no longer just pastors and preachers from Houston but now we reached out to a larger vicinity. Dr. N. S. Brown continued what was already laid out in before him in the organization. Dr. Brown added to his legacy a team of pastors to get seriously involved in the civil rights movement. Also, a small policy was initiated to assist pastors’ families if they transitioned. Dr. N. S. Brown retired in 1992. Dr. N. S. Brown was the Pastor of the Progressive New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, also in the Third Ward area.

In 1993, our fourth President was elected in the person of Dr. J. J. Roberson. His inaugural banquet was May 28, 1993. Dr. J. J. Roberson continued to be successful ministerial work and added other extensions to The Baptist Ministers Association of Houston & Vicinity. A scholarship ministry was initiated under Dr. J. J. Roberson and is still alive today. A benevolent wing was added to The Baptist Ministers Association & Vicinity as well. The Baptist Ministers Wives & Widows commenced under Dr. Roberson’s leadership and the J. J. Roberson Institute came into being. Dr. J. J. Roberson established The Baptist Ministers PAC and was involved in major elections. Some of these elections were hard fought elections but with God’s guidance, we prevailed. Dr. J. J. Roberson was extremely instrumental in Houston getting and voting in its first Black Mayor in the person of Mayor Lee P. Brown. Dr. J. J. Roberson was one of the key representatives, along with his team of Pastors, in contracts, procurement, and concessions for blacks and minorities for Reliant Stadium, the Toyota Center, Enron Field, that is currently known as Minute Maid Park. In fact, the contract talks for the Toyota Center lasted over night to make sure minorities had a seat at the table as well as a measurable amount of contracts. In Reliant Stadium, now known as NRG Stadium, Dr. J. J. Roberson made sure that the churches were not forgotten. We had church night several months in the year whereas our church choirs would sing at various sporting events, including the Houston Livestock & Rodeo. Dr. J. J. Roberson was also the protagonist in getting several bond elections passed for inner city schools in HISD. Dr. J. J. Roberson lead this organization until 1992, when he retired. Dr. J. J. Roberson was the Pastor & the Founder of the Mount Hebron Missionary Baptist Church in the Sunnyside area.

Our current and fifth President is Dr. Max A. Miller Jr. Dr. Miller was voted in, in December 2012 and accepted the servant-leader position. Dr. Max A. Miller Jr. had his inaugural banquet on February 22, 2013. Dr. Miller has continued in the ways of his predecessors in leading The Baptist Ministers Association of Houston & Vicinity to even higher heights. Dr. Max A. Miller Jr’s vision is to one day start a seminary with and through The Baptist Ministers Association of Houston & Vicinity with full accreditation. Under Dr. Miller’s leadership, the scholarship ministry has been resurrected and the amount of individuals receiving these scholarships has increased as well as the financial amounts. An additional leg was added to our J. J. Roberson Institute. This leg is Church Growth, Sermon Prep, and Electronic Library. Specialty lecturers have also been instituted for divers selected topics. A publicity & advertisement extension has been added as well. Dr. Max A. Miller Jr. and The Baptist Ministers Association of Houston & Vicinity has been very instrumental in what is known as Home Mission work as well as Foreign Mission work. We have assisted Beaumont and the Triangle, Louisiana, the Carolinas, and others in need of benevolence for and from Home Mission. We have also been instrumental in aiding Belize for our Foreign Mission along with Haiti. This has been added to the resume of Dr. Max A. Miller Jr. As social media connections begin to rise, Dr. Max A. Miller Jr. saw a need to begin a Facebook Page for The Baptist Ministers Association of Houston & Vicinity. A Website is now another means of communicating with The Baptist Ministers Association of Houston & Vicinity. Acronyms has now be instituted as well “BMAH&V but aka “The BMA.” Dr. Miller has been extremely adamant in making sure all generations are addressed in their own genre with voters’ education. Dr. Miller and The Baptist Ministers Association has hosted Mayoral Forums and Many Town Hall Meetings. The BMA has increased precinct participation when voting and have sponsored several voter registration drives. Dr. Miller has stated that we are concerned with every vote that can vote. Dr. Max A. Miller Jr. and The BMA will stand for justice wherever it them. Dr. Miller is an advocate with Social Justice issues, Social Injustices, and Racial Injustices. Dr. Max A. Miller Jr. is the Pastor of the Mount Hebron Missionary Baptist in the Sunnyside area.