July 21-24, 2025
From the President
Greetings to each of you, and Welcome to the 51st Annual Session of the Progressive Missionary and Educational Baptist State Convention of Florida, Incorporated, Congress of Christian Education!
It is with a grateful heart and thanksgiving to the Almighty God, that we have been allowed to gather as a congress one more time in the city of Tampa, known as “the next great city,” the “Cigar City,” as well as the home of the “Buccaneers football team!”
Our Congress of Christian Education is the teaching arm of our convention, and we look forward each year for what God has given to our Congress Director, Dean, and instructors, for our time of study during the week of our congress. I want to personally thank our Director, Reverend Riley Henderson, our Dean, Dr. Jimmie Downing, and all of our instructors for your diligent planning, preparation, and study in order that every student who attends will benefit from having been a student in the classes being offered.
I also want to give special appreciation to our Youth and Children’s Director, Elder Paul Buster, along with his officers and staff of instructors, for their labor of love in preparation for a successful session with our youth and children. We are looking forward with great anticipation for what God has given you for this year’s session, as we continue to keep our children close to God and away from what the world offers them.
Finally, special thanks to the Saint John Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, where I am privileged to serve as pastor, for hosting this year, and to Reverend Dr. W. J. Haynes, and the host association, Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Association for this congress session. I pray that we have met the high standards set by our previous host and that you will find everything that we have done to be of great assistance to you as you spend time in Tampa this week.
Please enjoy your stay and I pray you will have a safe trip back to your homes.
Reverend Dr. Bartholomew Banks, Sr., President
