Marching with a full agenda, the Fellowship hosted the Midwest Region of the Progressive National Baptist Convention (PNBC) in April, 1965. Several members represented Michigan at the PNBC in Los Angeles, California in September, 1965.
Growth rapidly increased the status of this fellowship. In early 1967, at a Fellowship meeting held at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, the members upon a motion made Rev. Cornell Talley, pastor of the New Light Missionary Baptist Church and seconded by the Rev. H.H. Coleman, pastor of the Greater Macedonia Baptist Church that the Fellowship become a state convention. The motion was carried and the Michigan Progressive Baptist Convention (MPBC) was established. The MPBC is affiliated with the Progressive National Baptist Convention.
The first order of business was to draft a constitution. Rev. Louis Johnson, pastor of the Friendship Baptist Church was appointed chairman. The first constitution was approved on April 28, 1967. It was short and succinct. The goal of this Convention is to have a structure of government which is inclusive, and to have programs growing out of the structure. This would represent a new application of Christian religion in the Black Baptist experience. The laity, including women, would have the same rights and privilege as clergy to hold office. This new organization would carry out its goal through various divisions.
The First Annual Session of the State Convention convened June 27-30, 1967 at the New Grace Baptist Church, pastored by the Rev. W.D. McClung. The first officers of MPBC were elected as follows:
| Rev. John H. Gatlin | President |
| Rev. Cornell Talley | Vice President |
| Rev. R.P. Moore | Recording Secretary |
| Rev. James A. Lewis | Financial Secretary |
| Rev. Homer Thurman | Treasurer |
The first divisions and chairpersons included:
| Christian Education | Mrs. Marian H. Jones |
| Christian Social Concerns | Rev. James Lewis |
| Evangelism | Rev. W. D. McClung |
| Laymen | Deacon Robert Horton |
| Mission | Rev. Louis Johnson |
| Stewardship | Rev. L. Juan Burt |
| Women's Work | Mrs. Hazel Tate |
The Michigan Progressive Baptist Convention is a convention of churches not individuals. Individuals do not hold membership in the convention except through their churches. All members of a constituent church are thereby admitted to the convention. At a business meeting in 1968, it was decided that the financial obligation of membership in the State Convention was $0.50 per member to be paid by the churches.
The Second Annual Session of the Michigan Progressive Baptist Convention, June 25-28, 1968 was held at the Greater Macedonia Baptist Church, pastored by Rev. H.H. Coleman. Rev. Jeff Green was elected president. During his presidency, he dealt with the issue of tenure. It was determined that elected officers would serve a maximum of two consecutive years.
The Third Annual Session was held July 15-17, 1969 at the Greater Christ Baptist Church, pastored by Rev. Jacob Olgesby. Because it was truly “Michigan” Progressive Baptist Convention with members across the state, under the leadership of President Green, the 4th Annual Session was held in Grand Rapids, hosted by the True Light Baptist Church, Rev. William L. Patterson, pastor.
In 1970, Rev. James A. Lewis became the third president. During his tenure, the convention was incorporated under the Non-Profit Act of Michigan, effective, July 9, 1971. Rev. Lewis later became the first Executive Secretary and served faithfully for twenty years. Our second executive secretary was Attorney Sharon Smith followed by Rev. Dr. John Peoples, Rev. Dr. Alfred Nicholson, Sis. Cheryl Haskett and currently Rev. Dr. Samuel Bullock.
Communications became an important concern of the Convention. News of our member churches’ activities needed to be shared. The “Progressive Newsletter” first publication was in 1971. Its editor was Mrs. Muriel Andrews. The next publication was “The Baptist Star” established by the Women’s Division under the fourth president, Mrs. Emma Travis.
The Women’s division to inform constituents of upcoming events established our Program Guide. Later the Program Guide would become an instrument for all divisions of the Convention. In recent years, the Convention has established a website and uses e-mail to communicate news and information.
Under the leadership of the Christian Social Concerns division, the Convention began a drug abuse counseling program at the Hebron Baptist Church, chaired by Rev. John W. Marks now pastor of the First Community Baptist Church.
The first MPBC Scholarship award was given in memory of Mrs. Marian H. Jones who served as the first Christian Education chairperson. The scholarship awards began in July, 1980 under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Charles W. Butler. Since its inception, the scholarship committee has granted several thousand dollars in scholarships to well deserving students. The State Choir Annual Concert supports the scholarship fund.
On February 20, 1992 the Michigan Progressive Baptist Convention became recognized as a tax exempt organization under section 501 (c ) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The Charles A. Hill Award was established in 1993 to recognize outstanding service and leadership. The first recipient was Mr. Joseph Walker Williams. Other recipients include: Mr. Calvin E. Davis, Rev. Dr. Charles W. Butler, Rev. Dr. Charles E. Morton, Rev. Dr. Charles Adams, Rev. Dr. Samuel Bullock, Jr., Rev. Dr. James C. Perkins, Rev. Clarence Crews, Rev. Dr. Louis Johnson, Rev. Dr. John W. Peoples, Rev. Johnnie Saulsberry, and Rev. James Lewis
. In 1994, Mrs. Alice Bailey and Attorney Sharon Smith established the Archives of MPBC at the Detroit Public Library. This was the first time a black state convention had submitted material and established an archive at the library.
In 1997, the Michigan Progressive Baptist Convention joined with the American Baptist Churches of Southeast Michigan and jointly sponsored the Black Family forum, a three day conference to enhance the ministry of the black church as it responds to the issues of today.
To meet the increasing needs of the Convention, a headquarters office was established in 2002. The headquarters is currently located at the Samaritan Center, 5555 Conner, Suite 3215 in Detroit.
Most of the Convention work is done through its divisions. Each division has its respective vice presidents. The specific expectations of each division is set forth in the Constitution and By-Laws. Currently, the Michigan Progressive Baptist Convention has ten divisions:
| Christian Education | Established in 1967 |
| Christian Social Concerns | Established in 1967 |
| Economic Development | Established in 1993 |
| Evangelism | Established in 1967 |
| Health Ministries | Established in 1994 |
| Men's Work (formerly Laymen) | Established in 1967 |
| Missions | Established in 1967 |
| Stewardship | Established in 1967 |
| Ushers | Established in 1967 |
| Women's Work | Established in 1967 |
Currently, Rev. Dr. Sandra A. Fox serves as the twenty-first President of the MPBC. Under her leadership, in 2006, the Minister’s Council was established. The Council has ordained Deacons and Ministers, and has licensed Ministers. It is the Council’s responsibility to work with churches/pastors when undergoing problems. To provide welcome packages to new pastors of the MPBC. To reach out to those in prison. To develop and implement recruitment process for churches seeking pastors. To provide educational events such as lectures, conferences, workshops, etc.
Dr. Fox appointed Rev. Jerome Warfield to chair the Internal Audit Committee to assure that our MPBC records are being handled according to government regulations. Dr. Fox is in the process of finalizing the video conferencing ministry that will allow the Convention to invite churches/pastors in areas outside of Detroit to join the Convention and to conduct their meetings at an assigned church on the same day and time as the meetings being held in Detroit. Phase one of this ministry is at the Galilee Baptist Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where the Rev. Dr. J. Louis Felton serves as pastor. Dr. Fox has recruited churches that are members of the National Baptist Convention, and a total of nine churches have aligned their membership with our Convention. We are re-establishing the design of a Website so that the names of the MPBC officers and the calendar of events by the Divisions can be publish, and fundraising events can be established. Dr. Fox continues to travel to a different MPBC churches and potential member churches on a weekly basis.
We thank God that the majority of our past presidents and officers are still active in the work of our Convention.
