Baptist Missionary and Education Convention of Texas

Baptist Missionary and Education Convention of Texas The Baptist Missionary And Education Convention’s purpose as stated in the constitution is to promote knowledge of the great needs of the Christian.

In 1873, it was thought that the time had come to combine The Lincoln Association (1867), Texas Louisiana Association (1869), The Cypress Association (1873), The Unity Association (1873), The Zion Association (1871) The Trinity Valley Association and Central Association, having being pioneers that organized Black Baptist. Therefore Black Baptists formed the Convention on December 12, 1873 at the F

riendship Baptist Church of Navasota under the name of Texas Freedmen’s Missionary Baptist Association. The tragedies of the early years of their freedom convinced them that a people just up from slavery with nothing, needed direction. They needed guidance in fulfilling the deepest human needs – food, clothing, shelter, family, education and a sense of worth and identity. In the face of growing hostilities toward their freedom, they needed faith and hope and love in order to possess their spirits and to face the future confident that they would anchor by and by. The name was changed in the early 1880’s to Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention of Texas. The name was corrected and changed in accordance to the Baptist Missionary and Education Convention of Texas Constitution in 2010 under the leadership of Dr. Stephen C. Nash, Sr., President. As was typical of Baptist state organizations, the Baptist Missionary And Education Convention promoted missionary and educational activity in the state. Because of the poverty of black Texans. The Baptist Missionary And Education depended for many years on assistance from the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York to support its missionaries and conduct institutes to train its preachers. The American Baptist Home Mission Society owned and operated Bishop College in Marshall (later Dallas), which it established to train black ministers. The Baptist Missionary And Education Convention supported schools of its own, Hearne Academy, Houston College, and Guadalupe College. By 1890 the convention represented more than 110,000 black Baptists. In the 1890s a plan put forth by the American Baptist Home Mission Society to consolidate black Baptist schools divided the Baptist Missionary And Education Convention. The plan called for making Bishop College the flagship school for educating black Baptists in Texas and subordinating Hearne Academy and Guadalupe College to it. The proposal drew strong objections from several ministers, who argued that the plan would lead to the demise of Guadalupe College. They resented the idea that a black-administered college was being sacrificed to the white-operated American Baptist Home Mission Society School. The Baptist Missionary And Education Convention accepted the plan in 1892, and in 1893 the dissident ministers organized the General Baptist Convention. Later disputes further divided the Baptist Missionary And Education Convention. In 1929 dissatisfaction over financial affairs led to the founding of the Texas Baptist Convention. In 1946 the Trinity Baptist State Convention was organized, and in 1981 the Central Baptist Convention was established.

The B.M. & E. pause to give honor and recognition to the life and legacy of Dr. William J. Shaw, a faithful servant of ...
03/08/2026

The B.M. & E. pause to give honor and recognition to the life and legacy of Dr. William J. Shaw, a faithful servant of God whose leadership, vision, and dedication to the Kingdom left a lasting impact on the church and the community. His commitment to ministry, his service to the National Baptist Convention, and his unwavering faith continue to inspire generations. We thank God for the life he lived and the legacy he leaves behind.

The Baptist Missionary and Education Convention of Texas pauses with deep reverence and gratitude as we reflect on the l...
12/12/2025

The Baptist Missionary and Education Convention of Texas pauses with deep reverence and gratitude as we reflect on the life and legacy of Women’s President Emeritus Dr. Hugh Dell Gatewood.

President Gatewood was more than a leader — she was a steadfast servant, a visionary, and a pillar of faith who gave tirelessly to the work of the Convention. Her journey through our organized ministry spanned every level of service, from the district to the state, and ultimately to the national stage. Wherever she served, she lifted others, strengthened the work, and modeled what it means to be devoted to Kingdom building.

Her leadership was marked by grace, wisdom, and an unwavering commitment to missions and education. She inspired generations of women to lead with excellence, to serve with humility, and to trust God wholeheartedly. President Gatewood carried the weight of responsibility with dignity and the warmth of a mother’s heart, making all who labored alongside her feel valued, seen, and encouraged.

Today, we honor her remarkable contributions and the countless lives she touched. Though her earthly journey has concluded, her influence continues to shine brightly in the ministries she shaped, the leaders she mentored, and the Convention she loved so dearly.

We thank God for the gift of Dr. Hugh Dell Gatewood—a faithful servant, a dedicated missionary, and a legendary woman of God whose legacy will endure for generations to come.

Humbly submitted,
The Baptist Missionary and Education Convention of Texas
Dr. Kirthell Roberts, President

Service information below:
Hugh Dell Gatewood, born on April 29, 1937, in Houston, Texas, passed away on December 3, 2025, at the age of 88.
Visitation will be held at Carl Barnes Funeral Home, Inc, located at 746 W 22nd Street, Houston, TX 77008, on December 12, 2025, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A second visitation will take place at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, 4200 Lockwood Drive, Houston, TX 77026, on December 13, 2025, from 9:00 am to 9:55 am.

The funeral service will follow at the same location, St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, on December 13, 2025, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.

The committal service is scheduled for December 13, 2025, from 12:45 pm to 1:00 pm, at Houston Memorial Gardens, 2426 Cullen Blvd, Pearland, TX 77581.

Please join us for week four of our 89th Annual Session of the B.M. & E. State Congress. Here is the lineup for the even...
07/16/2025

Please join us for week four of our 89th Annual Session of the B.M. & E. State Congress. Here is the lineup for the event.

89th Annual Session Musical coming soon...
07/01/2025

89th Annual Session Musical coming soon...

Message from B. M. & E. State Congress President Dr. Stanley T. Hillard.
07/01/2025

Message from B. M. & E. State Congress President Dr. Stanley T. Hillard.

Please see important message from President Kirthell Roberts.........Regarding the 89th Annual Session 2025..
07/01/2025

Please see important message from President Kirthell Roberts.........Regarding the 89th Annual Session 2025..

Special message from President Kirthell Roberts....
05/03/2025

Special message from President Kirthell Roberts....

04/10/2025
Please see the message from Congress President Dr. Stanley T. Hillard.....
04/10/2025

Please see the message from Congress President Dr. Stanley T. Hillard.....

Address

131 S. O'Tyson/Mailing Address PO Box 65
Mount Pleasant, TX
75455

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Baptist Missionary and Education Convention of Texas posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category