Baptist Convention of Americas in works

AUSTIN, Texas — The foundation has been laid for a new convention of Baptists — to be based in Texas — to encompass churches in North, Central and South America, according to articles of incorporation filed in the Texas Secretary of State’s office by a group of individuals who have been critical of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Articles of incorporation for “The Baptist Convention of the Americas” were filed Oct. 16, 1998, by Herbert H. Reynolds, identified in state documents as the new convention’s registered agent. No media reports appeared about the filing at the time; Baptist Press received a copy Feb. 29 from the Texas Secretary of State’s office.

Also listed as members of the Baptist Convention of the Americas board of directors are John F. Baugh of Houston; W. Winfred Moore of Waco; and Paul W. Powell of Tyler.

Powell said the articles of incorporation were filed to “simply preserve a name. That’s all it was,” Powell told the Baptist Press. “Nothing has ever gone beyond that initial step. No plans, no schemes, just that the names has been preserved.”

The first public discussion about a new convention came during a speech delivered by Reynolds Nov. 10, 1998, one month after he filed the articles of incorporation.