The Alabama Baptist State Convention was founded on October 28, 1823, as the third permanent state convention organized in the South. … The Baptists, though the largest religious group in the state, were weak and widely scattered. They numbered about 5,000 and had about 125 churches and 75 ministers.” (Baptists in Alabama: Their Organization and Witness, by A. Hamilton Reid. Montgomery, Ala.: Paragon Press, 1967).

Today, the State Convention has grown to more than 3,200 churches with approximately one million members. Each November, the Alabama Baptist State Convention convenes as a two-day meeting of messengers elected by affiliated churches. Messengers and invited guests hear reports about Great Commission ministries.

Between annual meetings, Convention bylaws provide that the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions will be the “executive, administrative, fiduciary, and promotional agency of the Convention.”

Both the State Convention and State Board of Missions support the missional efforts of a family of Alabama Baptist entities and auxiliary, including:

• Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries
• Alabama Baptist Historical Commission
• Alabama Baptist Retirement Centers
• Alabama Woman’s Missionary Union (auxiliary)
• Board of Aid to Students in Church Related Vocations
• Christian Life Commission
• Education Commission
• Shocco Springs Conference Center
• The Alabama Baptist newspaper
• The Baptist Foundation of Alabama
• University of Mobile

The Convention also provides primary support for ALCAP (Alabama Citizens Actions Program), “Alabama’s moral compass” regarding biblical and moral concerns.

In addition the Convention continues to honor the historic relationship with Samford University dating back to 1841.