Covenant of the Alliance of Baptists
In a time when historic Baptist principles, freedoms, and traditions need a clear voice, and in our personal and
corporate response to the call of God in Jesus Christ to be disciples and servants in the world, we commit
ourselves to:
•The freedom of the individual, led by God’s Spirit within the family of faith, to read and interpret the
Scriptures, relying on the historical understanding by the church and on the best methods of modern
biblical study;
•The freedom of the local church under the authority of Jesus Christ to shape its own life and mission,
call its own leadership, and ordain whom it perceives as gifted for ministry, male or female;
•The larger body of Jesus Christ, expressed in various Christian traditions, and to a cooperation with
believers everywhere in giving full expression to the Gospel;
•The servant role of leadership within the church, following the model of our Servant Lord, and to full
partnership of all of God’s people in mission and ministry;
•Theological education in congregations, colleges, and seminaries characterized by reverence for
biblical authority and respect for open inquiry and responsible scholarship;
•The proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ and the calling of God to all peoples to repentance
and faith, reconciliation and hope, social and economic justice;
•The principle of a free church in a free state and the opposition to any effort either by church or state to
use the other for its own purposes.
To keep faith with our Covenant, we
•Make the worship of God primary in all our gatherings;
•Foster relationships within the Alliance and with other people of faith;
•Create places of refuge and renewal for those who are wounded or ignored by the church;
•Side with those who are poor;
•Pursue justice with and for those who are oppressed;
•Care for the earth;
•Work for peace;
•Honor wisdom and lifelong learning;
•Hold ourselves accountable for equity, collegiality, and diversity.
ALLIANCE OF BAPTISTS
Annual Meeting
First Baptist Church, Greenville, S.C., April 6, 2013
The Alliance of Baptists was called to order by Carol Blythe, president, at 10:49 a.m. and April Baker, vice
president, explained the consensus model.
Minutes - The minutes of the 2012 Annual Meeting were adopted.
Report from the Board of Directors - Steve Jolly, secretary, reported the actions of the Board of Directors
in their meetings over the year.
Report of the Treasurer - Paul Richardson, treasurer, reported on the status of our finances (Treasurer’s
report attached to official minutes). Additionally, he noted the audit for 2012 has been completed and we had a
good report. Paul reported there are two new items in the 2013 budget: 1) Mission and Ministry Partners and
2) Councils.
Reports of the Clergy Recognition Council and the Endorsement Council
Brian Dixon reported on the Clergy Recognition Council. This year, 64 clergy were endorsed and there are now
a total of 125 recognized Alliance of Baptists clergy.
Jeff Sims reported on the Endorsement Council. Ann CharlesCraft and Karen Ballard led us in a litany
celebrating 15 years of endorsement. Jeff recognized those Alliance members who were endorsed this year:
Curtis Michael Brown, Chaplain, Novato, Calif.; Martin Ho-Joan Chang, Chaplain, U.S. Army, Fort Jackson,
S.C.; Benjamin Curry, Chaplain/SES, Roseville, Calif.; Donald Fulton, Chaplain, U.S. Army, Birmingham, Ala.;
Greg Griffey, Spiritual Care Provider, Tucson, Ariz.; Jo Ellen Holmes, Pastoral Counselor, Decatur, Ga.; Allison
Jackson Hager, Chaplain, Lynchburg, Va.; Susan Gay Morris, Chaplain, Winston-Salem, N.C.; Yhanco Monet
Rodriguez, Chaplain, Greenwood, S.C.; and Jonathan Spencer, Chaplain, Atlanta. Nancy Hastings-Sehested
shared a blessing for all the Alliance of Baptists endorsed chaplains and pastoral counselors.
Chris Copeland, minister for leadership formation, encouraged us to continue to build connections and
intimacy and to offer radical hospitality. Chris also encouraged us to consider how our organization can claim
authority and identity but without denominational oppression.
Presentation of Statements (copies attached to official minutes)




Carol Blythe encouraged the membership to support the Statement on Food Justice. This statement is
based largely on work done at Ecumenical Advocacy Days. It encourages Congress to support programs
in the Farm Bill, which help hungry people. It also encourages Congress to support programs for small
farmers, farmer’s markets and non-traditional farmers.
G.J. Tarazi encouraged support of a statement of response to Kairos Palestine 2009. The Community
on Justice in Palestine & Israel brought forward this statement. The initial draft of this statement has
been amended several times to incorporate ideas from a variety of people. The statement was amended
again by the Board to reflect that the commitments noted in the statement will be carried out by the
Community. Carol Blythe pointed out the actual text of Kairos Palestine 2009 was included in the
packets of all members.
Lindsay Comstock encouraged support of a statement on Drone Strikes. The statement encourages
Alliance members to sign the petition at www.droneswatch.org. Lindsay noted that drones have moved
from the role of surveillance to dropping bombs in places where we are not at war.
Stan Hastey encouraged support of a statement on Cuba. The statement expresses gratitude for our
partnership with the Fraternity of Baptists in Cuba. In addition, it supports efforts by our partners at
the Latin American Working Group to remove Cuba from the list as a state sponsor of terror. Members
are encouraged to sign a petition to that effect at www.lawg.org.
Reports from the Leadership Team
Paula Clayton Dempsey, minister for partner relations, talked about the Alliance’s involvement in various
issues of justice, noting our early support of women in ministry, marriage equality and statements against
racism. Paula also talked about the Alliance of Baptists’ new way of doing missions by empowering ministry
partners. She presented Karen Smith Moore, one of our founders, with an Alliance pin.
Carole Collins, director of finance reported we have 360 individuals in attendance this year. She thanked Claire
McKeever-Burgett who chaired the Annual Gathering Planning Group as well as other members of the
planning group and the great staff at First Baptist Church Greenville, S.C. Carole noted that in 2013 we are now
operating under a Unified Budget with 20%+ designated for missions.
Mary Andreolli, minister for outreach and communication, stated that her “words” are often images. So, she
chose to show a video that shares the story of AllianceConnect as her report. Mary also recognized those who
were vital to the forming of AllianceConnect , including the employees of Mad Monk Interactive.
The meeting was adjourned for lunch at 12:34 p.m.
April Baker called the meeting back together at 1:55 p.m.
Reports from Communities:
 Sheila Sholes-Ross, Jann Aldredge-Clanton and Craig Henry reported on the Community for Equity
for Women in the Church. The community is planning a conference at Wake Forest University
School of Divinity on October 25-26, 2013.
 G.J. Tarazi reported on the Community for Peace and Justice for Palestine & Israel. The
Community has put together a bibliography and resource list. In addition, they are planning a gathering
for November 8 – 10, 2013 at Calvary Baptist Church, Washington, D.C., titled, “Waging Peace in
Palestine and Israel.”
 Greg Cochran reported for the Spirituality Gathering Community that last year’s meeting was
excellent. The next meeting will be in Sharpsburg, Md., Feb. 20-23, 2014 with the theme “Standing at
the Threshold with People in Transition.” Marjorie Z. Bankston, connected to Church of the Savior and
who helped found Faith and Work Magazine, will be the leader.
 Stan Dotson gave a report on Cuba Partnership Community. Stan stated that mutuality is vital in
the partnership with the Fraternity. Sustainability has been a focus of projects among the
congregations. The community is currently collecting musical instruments to send to Cuba.
 Connie Gates and Peter Carman reported for the Brazil Partnership Community. Peter talked quite
movingly about his life-changing visit to Brazil and meeting people in the five congregations of the
Aliança in Brazil who reflect a gospel of liberation and resurrection of hope. Connie reported there are
efforts to establish local partnerships. Portuguese language help is needed and those with Brazilian
connections are called to connect with the Community. Pastor Joel Zeferino from Brazil is with us and
will be speaking at the afternoon worship.
 Michael-Ray Mathews and Cody Sanders reported from the Racial Justice and Multiculturalism
Community. They reported this group pays close attention to issues of racial justice and look at ways
we can constructively challenge structural systems of racism. They hope to pursue future gatherings
around the theme of racial justice. Finally, they desire to be collaborative with other Communities as
race and culture intersect with many of the issues around which Communities have formed. Anyone is
welcome to be engaged in the life of the Community.
 Terry-Thomas Primer reported she has accepted the role of convener for the Spiritual Life
Community.
Decision on statements:
 Food Justice – The members had no questions or comments and the statement was adopted by
consensus.

Response to Kairos Palestine 2009 – Martha Wood of Winston-Salem stated she was glad to see this
topic in a statement and she gives total support on the statement. There was one “stand aside.” The
membership adopted the statement by consensus.
 Drone Strikes –Maria Palma of Oakhurst Baptist Church in Decatur, Ga. stated she supports this
statement, but wishes the statement was broader and more encompassing in its call for peace. There
was one “stand aside.” The membership adopted the statement by consensus.
 Cuba – A member asked, “Who puts a nation on the terrorist list?” The answer is the U.S. State
Department. The membership adopted the statement by consensus.
April reminded members that our statement policy has been amended. Members should submit a statement to
the Alliance office at least 45 days before the next gathering for it to be considered.
Nominating Committee Report – Peggy Sanderford Ponder thanked the Nominating Committee for its
good work. Six persons are recommended positions on the Board of Directors: Julie Barnett (L); John
Ballenger (C ); Lisa Davis Brownlee (L); Shelby Haggray (C ); Karrie Oertli (C and liaison to Endorsement
Council); and Terry-Thomas Primer (C and liaison to Clergy Recognition Council ). These nominees were
elected by consensus of the membership.
Sharing the Good News of the Alliance







Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth – Cody Sanders spoke as the editor of the update of this
resource. He noted that while this book was a cutting edge item at its initial publication 10 years ago, it
was in need of an update. The new edition is now available and includes articles on hate crimes,
transgender issues and suicide as well as the stories of congregations who have wrestled with the issue.
The revision project was supported equally by the Alliance, Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America
and the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists. The book is available for $25 in hardcopy or
$10 as a download.
Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America– LeDayne Polaski reported on the “Baptist Fair
Trade Project” with Equal Exchange. She stated it is a great way to support poor farmers in
democratically organized cooperatives. Second, LeDayne invited everyone to attend the annual
gathering of the BPFNA.
Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists - Robin Lunn reported AWAB is celebrating
their 20th year as an organization this year. Robin introduced Oscar Wakenage of the Central Baptist
Association (20 congregations) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rev. Wakenage reported his
group works for inclusion of all persons (gay or straight, multi-ethnic and various religions). He
challenged the Alliance of Baptists to join them in their struggle for freedom and reminded us we are
not alone in this struggle for freedom.
Raffle Drawing - Ann CharlesCraft came to the podium for the raffle drawing for the artwork painted
by Angela Yarber during Friday worship services. Walter Coleman won the drawing. The raffle raised
$770 for the Alliance budget.
Blessing of Outgoing Board Members -- Mandy England Cole blessed and honored the service of
Bob Beckerle, D.H. Clark, Anne Garner, Laura Mayo and G.J. Tarazi.
Benediction - Deborah Davis-Johnson, pastor at Williston-Immanuel United Church in Portland,
Maine, encouraged us to attend next year’s Annual Gathering May 2-4, 2014. Deborah said she and her
congregation will be glad to welcome the Alliance to New England and in particular to Portland with its
wonderful restaurants and Friday Night Arts Walk. Ashlee Wiest-Laird, chair of the Planning
Committee for the 2014 Annual Gathering, then led us in a benediction.
The meeting adjourned at 3:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Stephen Jolly, secretary
APropheticCallto:
DismantleMassIncarceration&theCriminalizationofRace
AllianceofBaptists—AnnualMeeting
Portland,Maine•May3,2014
The Alliance of Baptists is committed to the larger body of Jesus Christ, expressed in various Christian
traditions, and to cooperation with believers everywhere in giving full expression to the Gospel; the
proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ and the calling of God to all peoples to repentance and faith,
reconciliation and hope, social and economic justice; and the pursuit of justice with and for those who are
oppressed. 1
Furthermore, the Alliance Racial Justice and Multiculturalism Community is committed to cultivating leaders
to shepherd the work of building a multicultural organization committed to racial justice and reconciliation in
our congregations, ministries and the broader society.2
It is with these commitments in mind that we sound the call to join the broader Christian and interfaith
community in speaking out against the system of mass incarceration and the negative impact it has had on
communities of color and poor people. We commit to take action to dismantle this system and advocate for
more restorative forms of justice.
As Michelle Alexander, author of The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration In the Age of Colorblindness, has
observed, contemporary mass incarceration is a form of racialized social control that creates “a lower caste of
individuals who are permanently barred by law and custom from mainstream society.”3 It is a symptom of
systematized oppression within our systems of criminal justice that produce racialized outcomes.
Christian Churches Together recently released a statement outlining the impact of mass incarceration:
● With only 5 percent of the world’s population, the U.S has 25 percent of the world’s imprisoned
people. (The Sentencing Project)
● Incarceration rates have increased from 500,000 inmates in jail and prison in 1980 to more than
2.2 million in 2010. (The Sentencing Project)
● Forprofit prison companies commonly demand 90 percent occupancy from the states that
contract with them. (6 Shocking Revelations about how private prisons make money, by April M.
Short on Salon.com)
● CCA and Geo Group, the nation’s two major private prison companies, “have had a hand in
shaping and pushing for criminal justice policies such as mandatory minimum sentences that
favor
increased incarceration.” (In the Public Interest Report, September 2013)
● The “War on Drugs” dramatically increased the U.S. prison population from 41,000 drug
offenders in 1980 to half a million in 2010. (The Sentencing Project)
● African Americans make up 13 percent of the U.S. population and use drugs at the same rates as
people of other races, but represent 45 percent of those imprisoned for drug violations. (Drug
Policy
Alliance Report)
● Criminal prosecutions of immigration suspects in federal court districts along the U.S. southern
border have increased by 1,475 percent over the last 20 years resulting in increased demand for prisons
and detention centers to hold inmates (War on Undocumented Immigrants Threatens to Swell U.S. Prison
Population, by Chris Kirkham on Huffington Post and TRAC Reports)
1AllianceofBaptists.CovenantandMission.Web.13March2014http://allianceofbaptists.org/OurAlliance/covenant_and_mission
Alexander,Michelle.TheNewJimCrow:MassIncarcerationintheAgeofColorblindness.NewYork:TheNewPress,2010,p.13
2AllianceofBaptists.People,CommunitiesandPartners.Web.13March2014http://allianceofbaptists.org/PCP/communities
3
● 1 in 3 Black men and 1 in 6 Latino men are likely to be imprisoned in their lifetime. Only 1in 17
white men will experience the inside of a jail or prison in his lifetime. 4
Fueled by — and creating — greed and racial anxiety, mass incarceration has had a dehumanizing and
detrimental impact on US society. It traumatizes and destroys families and communities, reinforces racial and
economic disparities, and incentivizes the creation of a permanent underclass.
We call upon congregations, clergy, members and partners of the Alliance of Baptists to invest in the formation
of prophetic congregations and communities in the movement to end mass incarceration and restore the dignity
of individuals, families and communities. Such action would include — but is not limited to:
● Education and training on the intersections of faith, race, class and mass incarceration, by way of
Bible studies, book studies, community forums and experiences with those most impacted by
mass
incarceration.
● Participation and prophetic leadership in local, state and national campaigns that seek to
dismantle and heal the detrimental impacts of mass incarceration:
 Re-entry support for those formerly incarcerated, to gain access to jobs, housing,
healthcare, food, etc.
 Sentencing laws and practices that are fair across race and class and that seek restorative
versus punitive outcomes.
 Deincentivization to build and enlarge prisons both public and private for the sake of
cheap labor and profit.
 Voting rights restoration for those who have paid their debt to society.
● Support to ecumenical and interfaith groups fighting to dismantle mass incarceration and the
criminalization of race.
● Authorization of and cooperation with Alliance leadership in their participation in the
end mass incarceration and the criminalization of race.
movement to
Ending mass incarceration is critical for the healing of individuals and communities, for achieving racial
and economic inclusion in our nation, and for building the Beloved Community in our world. We are
called not only to visit those in prison (Matthew 25), but also to seek the healing and restoration of those
impacted by this system of social control. It is with this healing in mind that we sound the call to the
Alliance of Baptists to lead in the struggle to dismantle mass incarceration and the criminalization of
race.
— Submitted March 13, 2014 to Alliance of Baptists Board of Directors
by the Racial Justice & Multiculturalism Community of the Alliance of Baptists
***************************************
A Statement on Justice for Farmworkers
Alliance of Baptists — Annual Meeting
Portland, Maine • May 3, 2014
FormanyyearstheAllianceofBaptistshassupportedtheworkoftheNationalFarmWorkerMinistry.
TheAlliancesupportofNFWMisconsistentwiththeAllianceCovenantandMission,whichstates:
InatimewhenhistoricBaptistprinciples,freedoms,andtraditionsneedaclearvoice,andinour
personalandcorporateresponsetothecallofGodinJesusChristtobedisciplesandservantsinthe
4ChristianChurchesTogether“2014MassIncarcerationPressRelease.”7February2014.Web.6March2014.
<http://christianchurchestogether.org/2014‐mass‐incarceration‐press‐release/>
world,wecommitourselvesto…theproclamationoftheGoodNewsofJesusChristandthecallingof
Godtoallpeoplestorepentanceandfaith,reconciliationandhope,socialandeconomicjustice.…
TokeepfaithwithourCovenant…wesidewiththosewhoarepoor(and)pursuejusticewithandfor
thosewhoareoppressed.
TherearetwotothreemillionfarmworkersintheUnitedStates.Immigrantfarmworkersoftenleave
theirhomecountriestoseekabetterlifefortheirfamiliesandimmigrationtotheU.S.hasincreased
notablysincethe1994signingofNAFTA,afreetradeagreementthathasdrivenmorethantwomillion
Mexicanfarmersoutofbusiness5.
Farmworkers’averageannualincomeis$11,000;forafamilyitisapproximately$16,000.Despitetheir
poverty,farmworkersarenoteligibleforsocialservices.Migrantchildrenmayattendasmanyasthree
differentschoolsinoneyear,andmorethan50percentofthemdropoutbeforecompletinghighschool6.
FarmworkerswereoriginallyexcludedfromtheFairLaborStandardsActof1938andwereonlyincluded
ina1978amendmentthatmandatedminimumwageforworkersonlargefarms.TheFLSAhasnever
beenamendedtoprovideovertimeforfarmworkers.TheFLSAallowschildrenasyoungas10toworkin
farmworkundercertainconditionsandwiththeirparents’consent.Underbothfederalandstatelaw,
childrenmustbeatleast14toperformmostothertypesofwork7.
Forseveralyears,NFWMhassupportedtheFarmLaborOrganizingCommitteeanditsworkinNorth
Carolina.FLOCisafarmworkerunionfoundedinthemid‐1960s.FLOCsuccessfullymobilizedfarm
workersandthegeneralpublictoputpressureonthepowerfulcorporationsthatbuyfromthegrowers,
insteadoftheless‐powerfulgrowerswhosourcetheirproductstocorporations.Utilizingnon‐violent
tacticslikemarchesandpublicboycotts,FLOCwasthefirstgrouptouseacorporatecampaigntowina
seatforfarmworkersatthebargainingtablealongwithgrowersandcorporations8.
FLOChastwocriticalgoals:
1. Changethestructureofsocietytobenefitfarmworkers.Inparticular,thelaborunionprocess
placesworkersasequalsatthebargainingtable,andprovidesaneffectivestructureforself‐
determination.
2. Buildastrongpopularbaseofsupportersforjustice.Corporationshavetremendouseconomic
andpoliticalpower,butifconsumersworktogethertoholdthesecorporationsaccountable,they
cancollectivelytipthebalanceofpowertobringjusticetofarmworkers.Forexample,millionsof
peopleboycottingcertainproductscantipthebalanceofpower.
FLOC’smostrecentcampaigntargetstheR.J.ReynoldsTobaccoCorporationonbehalfoffarmworkers
whoworkintobaccofields.BasedinNorthCarolina,R.J.ReynoldsTobaccoCompany,isthesecond‐
largesttobaccocompanyintheUnitedStates,manufacturingaboutoneofeverythreecigarettessold
here.Whilebigtobaccocorporationsmakebillions,tobaccofarmworkersliveinpoverty,faceracism,
harassment,nicotinepoisoning,lethalpesticides,miserablehousinginlaborcampsanddenialofbasic
humanrightsandlaborprotections.Forinstance,becauseofthelackofmandatorywaterbreaksforfarm
workersandthefactthatnicotineincreasesbodytemperature,tobaccofarmworkersareatgreatriskof
heatstroke9.FLOChascontinuouslycalledonR.J.Reynoldstomeetwithrepresentativesofthefarm
workersitreliesontomakeitsproducts.AfteryearsofstrugglebytheFarmLaborOrganizing
Committeeandallies,Reynoldspledgedatitsannualshareholder’smeetinginMay2011:
 Touseanindependentthirdpartytomonitorworkingconditionsintobaccofieldsthatsupplyto
Reynolds.
 Tosupportacounciloftobaccoindustrymembers,growers,farmworkersandotherstakeholders.
http://www.ncfarmworkers.org/2012/06/united‐states‐farmworker‐factsheet/
Ibid.
7Ibid.
8http://nfwm.org/campaigns/floc‐campaign/
9Ibid.
5
6
Afteryearsofadvocacybyreligiousandstudentcommunities,laborandcivilrightsorganizations,and
concernedconsumers,ReynoldsmanagementandFLOCbeganmeetingdirectlyinJuneof2012.An
abundanceofsupportandencouragementforfarmworkers’voicesresultedintheachievementofthese
meetings.InSeptember2012,morethan200religiousleaderssignedalettersenttotheReynoldsCEO
anddirectorsonbehalfoftobaccofarmworkers.ThelettercallsonReynoldstoworkwithFLOCto
developawrittenagreementestablishingaprocessguaranteeingfreedomofassociationandcollective
bargainingfortobaccofarmworkersintheReynoldssupplychain10.
BecauseofourcommitmenttoGod’sjustice,we—theAllianceofBaptists—reaffirmoursupport
andcommitmenttotheecumenicalworkforjusticeforfarmworkersbytheNationalFarm
WorkerMinistry.Wewillrememberthiscommitmenteverytimeweeataswerememberthe
peoplewhopickedandpreparedthefoodweenjoy.
BecauseofourcommitmenttoGod’sjustice,we—theAllianceofBaptists—joinotherfaith
leadersandcommunitiesincallingonReynoldsAmericantoworkwithFLOCtodevelopawritten
agreementestablishingaprocessguaranteeingfreedomofassociationandcollectivebargaining
fortobaccofarmworkersintheReynoldssupplychain.Inthisway,ReynoldsAmericanwillaffirm
theauthenticvoicesofthetobaccofarmworkers,addresscommonconcerns,identifyandwork
towardeliminatingabusesinthesupplychain,andultimatelyimprovethelivingandworking
conditionsoftobaccofarmworkers.
Furthermore,wepledgetoraiseourvoicesinadvocacyforfarmworkers:forsafeanddecent
workingconditions;forfairpayfortheirlabor;fortherighttoorganizeandtobargain
collectively;andforadequatehousing,healthcare,schooling,andothersocialservices.
WecallonourAllianceofBaptistsCongregationsandMembersto:
 Leadinprayer,teaching,andpreachingaboutthebiblical,spiritualandmoralbasisfor
justiceforfarmworkers.
 JoinwiththeNationalFarmWorkerMinistry,otherfaithleadersandotherfaith
communitiesincallingonReynoldsAmericantoworkwiththeFarmLaborOrganizing
Committeetodevelopawrittenagreementestablishingaprocessguaranteeingfreedom
ofassociationandcollectivebargainingfortobaccofarmworkersintheReynolds
supplychain.
Submitted by Carol Blythe, with thanks to National Farm Worker Ministry and the NC Farmworkers Institute for
educational materials and advocacy information included in this statement.
See www.nfwm.org; www. http://www.ncfarmworkers.org/
***************************************
A Statement on the ‘Cuban Five”
Alliance of Baptists — Annual Meeting
Portland, Maine • May 3, 2014
More than 20 years ago the Alliance of Baptists entered into a relationship with a partner organization of
churches in Cuba (Fraternidad de Iglesias Bautistas de Cuba) that has yielded a sense of mutuality and respect
transcending economic and political barriers initiated by the United States against our Caribbean neighbor in
1962. More than a half century into this strategy of isolation, its futility and moral bankruptcy are ever more
Ibid.
10
apparent. Many of our members have observed the effects of the economic embargo and rupture of diplomatic
relations in repeated travel to an island nation only 90 miles south of the Florida straits.
Throughout the half-century of our nation’s misguided policies toward Cuba, few examples are more
egregious than that of the wrongful prosecution, conviction, and incarceration of a group of intelligence agents
from Cuba sent to Miami by the government of Cuba. The sole mission of the ‘Cuban Five’ was to gather
intelligence on Cuban-American groups in south Florida whose aim was to engage in provocative and
sometimes violent actions inside Cuba. These have included the placing of bombs in hotel lobbies in Havana,
which in one instance resulted in the death of an Italian merchant in Cuba on business for his company.
Following their arrest in September 1998, the five were tried in the United States District Court for the
Southern District of Florida in Miami, a trial that lasted seven months. They were convicted in June 2001 on all
26 counts brought against them, including a charge of first-degree murder against the group’s leader, Gerardo
Hernandez, accused of conspiracy in the shooting down over international waters of a small plane belonging to
the Miami-based group Brothers to the Rescue in 1996. Hernandez was sentenced to two consecutive life
sentences plus 50 years.
Two of the others – Antonio Guerrero and Ramón Labaniño -- were given life sentences. In October
2009 Guerrero’s sentence was reduced to 22 years; in December 2009, Labaniño’s was lowered to 30 years.
Fernando Gonzalez received a sentence of 19 years, later reduced to 18; he was released on February 27, 2014,
after serving nearly 15 years. René Gonzalez, sentenced to a 15-year term, was released on October 7, 2011,
having served more than 13 years. These last two since have been returned to Cuba.
In August 2005 a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in
Atlanta unanimously overturned the convictions and sentences, ordering a new trial outside Miami. Following
arguments against this action by the Department of Justice, the full Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals reversed
the three-judge panel in August 2006. On appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, the nation’s highest court denied
review of that ruling on June 15, 2009.
Shortly thereafter, in October 2009, Antonio Guerrero’s life sentence was reduced to 22 years, and in
December of that year, Ramón Labaniño’s life sentence was reduced to 30 years.
Many objections to these proceedings have been raised in international settings. In May 2005 the United
Nations Commission on Human Rights adopted a report by its Working Group on Arbitrary Detention that the
facts and circumstances in the case, including the nature of the charges and harsh sentences, amounted to an
unfair trial as defined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the United States is a
party.
Amnesty International has criticized the treatment of the Cuban Five as “unnecessarily punitive and
contrary both to standards for the humane treatment of prisoners and to states’ obligation to protect family life,”
given that the wives of Gerardo Hernandez and Rene Gonzalez repeatedly have been denied travel visas by the
United States to visit their husbands in prison.
Numerous Nobel Prize recipients, including President Jimmy Carter and Archbishop Desmond Tutu,
have called for the release of these prisoners.
Meeting on May 3, 2014, in the city of Portland, Maine, we of the Alliance of Baptists lift our
collective voice once again to protest these convictions and sentences. We call upon President Obama to
issue a full pardon to each of the Cuban Five, as this is the last remaining legal mechanism available to
wipe away the stain of this abject miscarriage of justice.
(Submitted by Stan Hastey, former executive director)
A Statement on Resisting Violence
Alliance of Baptists — Annual Meeting
Portland, Maine • May 3, 2014
In2012,theAllianceofBaptistsadoptedastatementagainstgunviolence.Atthattime,wecommitted
ourselvestoliveoutourMissionStatementto“workforpeace”byaddingourorganizationalvoicein
supportofeffortstoreducegunviolence.Sadly,sinceweadoptedthatstatementmorepeoplehavebeen
killedorinjuredbygunviolence.
InDecember2012,20studentsandsixadultswerekilledinNewtown,Conn.,inthespaceoflessthan
fiveminuteswhen156shotswerefired.InananalysisissuedinFebruary2014,MomsDemandActionfor
GunSenseinAmericanotedthatinthe14monthsaftertheshootingsatNewtown,therewereatleast44
schoolshootingsincludingfatalandnonfatalassaults,suicides,andunintentionalshootings—an
averageofmorethanthreeeachmonth.Theseschoolshootingsresultedin28deathsand37nonfatal
gunshotinjuries11.
EachdayintheU.S.morethan100Americansdieofgunshotbyaccident,suicideormurder.TheU.S.
experiences20timesthegunhomicidesthancountriesthatareourinternationalpeers.Dataindicate
thatitis22timesmorelikelythatgunsinhomesareusedindomesticviolence,suicide,orunintentional
shootingthaninself‐defense.Domesticviolenceincidentsaresignificantlymorelikelytoturnlethal
whenagunispresent12.
Inthe16stateswithrequiredbackgroundchecksforallhandgunsales,fewerwomenareshottodeath
bytheirintimatepartner,fewerpeoplekillthemselveswithguns,andfewerlawenforcementofficersare
killedbyhandguns.Instateswherefingerprint‐basedbackgroundchecksarerequired,evenmorelives
aresaved13.
ParticipantsattheannualEcumenicalAdvocacyDays,anadvocacypartneroftheAllianceofBaptists,
askedtheirmembersofCongresstoreducetheacquisitionanduseofgunsforpurposesthatcauseharm.
EAD2014literaturenotedthatthemediahashelpedustoseethetragediesofkillingsandinjuriesin
schools,theatersandshoppingcenters.Butthemediaclarifieslessthatpeoplearekilledormaimedeach
daybygunsonourstreetsandleftcarelesslyaroundourhomes,orusedinsuicide.EADdoesnot
advocatethatallgunsbebanned.RatherEADsupportslegislationthatwillmakeitharderforpeople
withhostileintentionstobuygunsandeasierforthecommunitystakeholderstoadequatelyprevent
themfromdoingharm14.
Aspeopleoffaith,werecognizetheneedtocurtailtheescalationofviolenceduetothewidespread
possessionanduseofguns.
Todaywe—theAllianceofBaptists—joinwithotherfaithcommunitiesthatarepartof
EcumenicalAdvocacyDaysandencourageCongresstoadoptlegislationthatreducesthe
acquisitionanduseofgunsforpurposesthatcauseharm.Specifically,wesupportlegislationthat
includesprovisionsthat:
1. Closeloopholesingunsalesandtraffickinglaws;
2. Limittheammunitioncapacityandpublicsaleofsemi‐automaticfirearmswithdetachable
magazines;
11https://momsdemandaction.org/in‐the‐news/new‐analysis‐breaks‐44‐school‐shootings‐since‐sandy‐hook‐tragedy‐moms‐ask‐congress‐
heal‐broken‐hearts‐urge‐action‐safer‐gun‐laws/
12http://advocacydays.org/wp‐content/uploads/2013/08/EAD‐2014‐ASK.pdf
13Ibid.
14Ibid.
3. Limittheacquisitionofgunsbypersonswithadocumentedhistoryofviolenceor
diagnosedwithseverementalillnessesanddemonstratedviolentbehavior;
4. CollectdataonthenumberofdeathsandinjuriesbygunsintheU.S.(whetheraccident,
suicideorviolentintent);
5. Mandatekeepinggunssecuredinlockboxes,safes,orthelike;and
6. Supportevidence‐basednonviolentmethodsforpreventionandinterventioninyouth
violence.
ThereisnoshortageofproposedlegislationinCongressthatcanreducegunviolence.Wesupport
legislationsuchas15:
a. GunShowLoopholeClosingActof2013(H.R.141)andtheGunTraffickingPreventionAct(H.R.
452/S.179);
b. AssaultWeaponsBanof2013(H.R.437/S.150);
c. FixGunChecksActof2013(H.R.37/S.374);
d. FirearmsSafetyandPublicHealthResearchActof2013(H.R.452)andToRequiretheSurgeon
GeneralofthePublicHealthServicetosubmittoCongressandAnnualReportontheEffectsofGun
ViolenceonPublicHealth(H.R.2465);
e. SecureFirearmsActof2013(H.R.1883);YouthPromiseAct(H.R.1318)orYouthPrison
ReductionthroughOpportunities,Mentoring,Intervention,SupportandEducationAct(S.1307);
f. PublicSafetyandSecondAmendmentRightsProtectionActof2013(Toomey‐Manchin)(S.649).
Todaywe—theAllianceofBaptists—recommitourselvesinourcongregationsandasindividual
memberstoeducateourselvesongunviolenceandtoadvocateforlegislationthatwillreduce
deathandinjuryfromgunviolence.
Submitted by Carol Blythe with thanks for the information included in this statement obtained from:
Ecumenical Advocacy Days (www.advocacydays.org); Moms Demand Action (https://momsdemandaction.org/); Faiths
United To Prevent Gun Violence (http://faithsagainstgunviolence.org/) More information can also be found at:
Heeding God’s Call: http://heedinggodscall.org/; Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence: http://bradycampaign.org/
***************************************
A Statement on Military Spending
Alliance of Baptists — Annual Meeting
Portland, Maine • May 3, 2014
In2012,theAllianceofBaptistsendorsedtheFaithfulBudgetpresentedatEcumenicalAdvocacyDays,
2012.Thatdocumentstated,inpart:
Afaithfulbudgetmustpromoteacompassionateandcomprehensivevisionforthefuture.As
communitiesoffaith,wecallonourelectedleaderstocraftafederalbudgetthatfulfillsourshared
dutytoeachotherinallsegmentsofsocietytothosewhoarestrugglingtoovercomepovertyorare
especiallyvulnerable.
EcumenicalAdvocacyDays2014literaturenotes:
Pentagonandwarspendingcurrentlyaccountfor57percentofthefederaldiscretionarybudget;thatis
allthespendingthatisnewlyappropriatedeachyearthroughCongress’annualappropriationprocess.
15Ibid.http://faithsagainstgunviolence.org/legislation/
Thatmeansthateveryotherpriorityincludedinthediscretionarypartofthebudget—including
education,veteran’sbenefits,housingandcommunityneeds,discretionaryhealthprograms,
internationalaffairsanddiplomacy,energyandenvironment,science,transportation,foodsecurity,and
manyothers—mustviefortinypiecesoftheremaining43percent16.
U.S.militaryspendingaccountsfornearlyhalfofallglobalmilitaryspending—thePentagonbudget
dwarfsthemilitarybudgetsofthenext29biggestspendersintheworld17.Researchhasindicatedthat
investinginconflictpreventionis60timesmorecosteffectivethaninterveningafterviolencehasbegun.
Yetconflictpreventionisfundedatabysmallylowlevels,yearlyspendingforconflictpreventionis
approximatelytheequivalentofthecostoverrunforoneF‐35airplane18.
Significantshiftsfrommilitaryspendingtootherareasofthebudgetaredesperatelyneeded.InMay
2012,UNICEFreportedthattheU.S.hasthesecondhighestchildpovertyrateamongdeveloped
nations19.Accordingtoa2011studydonebytheUniversityofMassachusettsatAmherst,Pentagon
spendingistheleasteffectivefederalspendingtoolforjobcreation.Forevery100jobscreatedby
Pentagonspending,thesameinvestmentwouldcreate238jobsineducation,154jobsinhealthcare,or
150jobsincleanenergy20.
Todaywe,theAllianceofBaptists,proclaimthataspeopleoffaith,ourmessagetoournational
leaders—rootedinoursacredtexts—isthis:Actwithmercyandjusticebyservingthecommon
good,robustlyfundingsupportforpoorandvulnerablepeople,bothathomeandabroad.Wejoin
withotherfaithcommunitiesandourpartnersatEcumenicalAdvocacyDaysandencourage
Congresstoadoptabudgetthatprovidesfortruehumansecurityoverdisproportionatemilitary
spending.
Todaywe,theAllianceofBaptists,recommitourselvestotheproclamationoftheGoodNewsof
JesusChristandthecallingofGodtoallpeoplestorepentanceandfaith,reconciliationandhope,
socialandeconomicjustice.Insidingwiththosewhoarepoorandinpursuingjusticewithandfor
thosewhoareoppressedwecallonCongresstorebalancefundingprioritiesawayfromour
outsizedmilitaryspendingandinsteadtofocusmoreresourcesonpreventingviolenceand
enhancinghumansecurity.
Submitted by Carol Blythe with thanks for the information included in this statement obtained from:
Ecumenical Advocacy Days (www.advocacydays.org); and the campaign for a Fiathful Budget
(http://advocacydays.org/advocacy/faithful-budget-campaign/).
16http://advocacydays.org/wp‐content/uploads/2013/08/EAD‐2014‐ASK.pdf
17Withonly5%oftheworld’spopulation,theUSaccountsfor45%oftheworld’smilitaryexpenditures.
18http://advocacydays.org/wp‐content/uploads/2013/08/EAD‐2014‐ASK.pdf
19http://www.unicef‐irc.org/publications/pdf/rc10_eng.pdf
20http://www.peri.umass.edu/fileadmin/pdf/published_study/PERI_military_spending_2011.pdf
A Statement on Public Education
Alliance of Baptists — Annual Meeting
Portland, Maine • May 3, 2014
With gratitude for God’s radical hospitality that invites all persons to participate in the building of
God’s commonwealth of love and justice, we express our support for public education in the United
States.
In these days our public educational institutions are increasingly challenged by reductions in funding
and political support. Yet our public schools are the primary avenue for most children – especially
those living in poverty – to become participants in our nation’s economic, political and community
life as educated and informed citizens. Although private education makes important contributions to
our common welfare as the appropriate choice for some students, strong, effective public educational
institutions are vital to the health of our democracy and the building of a just society.
Therefore, as people of faith gathered as the Alliance of Baptists, we commit ourselves
to finding ways to support public schools in our communities and in our society as a
whole. We will develop creative strategies for expressing our gratitude to those who are
called to educate our children through public institutions and we will advocate for
adequate local, state and federal funding and support for public education.
Acknowledging that some of our schools fail to meet the needs of their students, we
commit ourselves to becoming engaged in strengthening our public schools so that all
children, regardless of their life circumstances, can develop the skills and qualities they
need to become the healthy, capable persons God has called them to be.
- Submitted by Cathy Tamsberg
2014 Nominating Committee Report
The Nominating Committee recommends the following individuals:
To a two year term as Officers on the Board of Directors:
President - Michael Castle (C), Dayton, Ohio
Treasurer – Leslie Withers (L), Decatur, Ga.
To a second, two year term as Officers on the Board of Directors:
Vice President – April Baker (C), Nashville, Tenn.
Secretary – Steve Jolly (C), Norfolk, Va.
To a three year term on the Board of Directors:
Benjamin Boswell (C), Cary, N.C.
Lisa Darak-Druck (L), Westbrook, Maine
Amparo Palacios Lopez (L), Washington, D.C.
To a second, three year term on the Board of Directors:
Paul Hayes (C), Groton, Conn.
David Massengill (L), New York
Ned Allyn Parker (C), Seattle, Wash.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas Connor, Nashville, Tenn.
Paula Clayton Dempsey (Staff Liaison)
Donna Goddard, Decatur, Ga.
Warren Hammonds, Richmond, Va.
Craig Henry, Monroe, La.
Carolyn Piper, Worthington, Ohio
Brooks Wicker, Raleigh, N.C. (Chair)
Profiles of the first time Nominees as Officers and Directors:
Benjamin Boswell is currently the pastor of Greenwood Forest Baptist Church, an Alliance partner
congregation in Cary, N.C. Ben earned a bachelor's degree from Campbell University and a Master of Divinity
degree from Duke Divinity School. After earning his M.Div., Ben answered a call to serve as pastor at
Commonwealth Baptist Church an Alliance partner congregation in Alexandria, Va. While serving as pastor at
Commonwealth, Ben did post-graduate work toward a Ph.D. at the Catholic University of America in
Washington, D.C., served on the board of directors for the Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry, and was the
adjunct professor of theology and ethics at the John Leland Center for Theological Studies, in Arlington, Va.
Ben has been serving at Greenwood Forest since 2011 and is currently in his tenth year of ministry. In his spare
time Ben enjoys running and hanging out with his two daughters Katelyn and Lucy Joy.
Michael Castle is Senior Pastor of the Harmony Creek Church: A United Church of Christ and Alliance of
Baptists Community in Dayton, Ohio (the newly merged church of Cross Creek Community Church and Oak
Creek UCC). He has been involved in the Alliance of Baptists since 1996, having served on the Board of
Directors, as vice president, as well as hosting the Alliance annual meeting in 2004 in Dayton and chairing the
Annual Meeting Planning Team for Louisville in 2011. Mike has a Bachelor of Music Education (1985) degree
from Samford University in Birmingham, Ala., Ky., a Master of Divinity (1991) degree from Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. and a Doctor of Ministry (2001) degree, focusing on historical Jesus
studies, from Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis. He and his partner, Dan Carl, have two children: Gideon,
age 11 and Adin, age 6.
Lisa Darak-Druck lives in Westbrook, Maine with her wife Jani (pronounced Yah-nee), their puppy Princess
Peanut, and their 3 cats Tigger, Tawny & Pookie. Lisa was raised in Connecticut as a third-generation United
Methodist, but first discovered a loving American Baptist church while an undergrad at Middlebury College in
Vermont. When she and Jani moved to Maine, they found kindred spirits and a church home at Immanuel
Baptist Church, now merged with a UCC congregation as Williston-Immanuel United Church, an Alliance
Partner congregation. In her daily life, Lisa is an IT Business Analyst for IDEXX Laboratories, where she works
closely with the Human Resources and Finance teams regarding their information technology needs.
Amparo Palacios Lopez began her life as the daughter of two Baptist pastors and is, needless to say, deeply
committed to the life of her Baptist congregation. She will be elected to the Board the same spring that she
finishes her Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Maryland. Amparo is currently
employed by the World Bank in Washington D.C. She is married to Michael Settels and they have two
daughters, Sarah and Anna, who are growing up trilingual (Spanish, German and English). Amparo is a lay
leader at Calvary Baptist Church, an Alliance Partner congregation, where she has served on the Church
Council and is currently on the Diaconate.
Leslie Withers serves as Church Administrator at Oakhurst Baptist Church, Decatur, Ga., but plans to retire
this summer. She is also an active member of the church, where she has been a deacon and chaired several
committees. Her work with nonprofits includes founding Atlanta Clergy and Laity Concerned (CALC) and then
serving as Program director for national CALC. She was Director of Education for SEEDS Magazine, ran a night
shelter for homeless men, was National Volunteer Coordinator for Heifer International, and coordinated the
interfaith pilgrimage project for The Friendship Force. She has a degree in music from Duke University and
continues to play flute and sing in the choir at Oakhurst. She lives in Decatur, Ga. with husband Mark Reeve
and their three cats.