In 1906, Reverend Dr. Richard Henry Boyd, founder of the National Baptist Publishing Board, opened an educational center that published National Baptist Publishing Board literature, which targeted black Baptist missionaries, teachers, and leaders. This led to the launching of the first Congress, which was sponsored by the National Baptist Publishing Board and the National Baptist Young People’s Union. The mission of the Congress was to promote the Sunday school and Young People’s organization within Baptist churches.
In 1922, Dr. Henry Allen Boyd assumed the leadership of the Publishing Board and made significant changes to the Congress format. He focused on updating the curriculum to be relevant to society’s demands, and led Congress supporters through the Great Depression and two World Wars. His heroic leadership helped the Congress to endure some of history’s greatest tragedies and to become a pillar of Christian education for thousands today.
Following Dr. Henry Allen Boyd’s outstanding tenure, Dr. T. B. Boyd, Jr. assumed leadership of the Congress in 1959. The 1960s was a decade of generational conflict and turmoil. Throughout this transitional period, Dr. T. B. Boyd, Jr. maintained and refined the Congress structure. He supported African-American Baptist training for church leaders and their members by enhancing the literature produced by the Publishing Board’s Department of Christian Education. The new programs and the courses of study that resulted still stand strong today. In 1979, Reverend Dr. T. B. Boyd, Jr. went on to eternal glory but left behind a legacy that continues to grow.
In 1979, Dr. T. B. Boyd III was named president, becoming the youngest family member ever to assume leadership of the corporation. He is the current president/CEO of R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation/ National Baptist Publishing Board and has continued to strengthen the church community through the Congress program. Through Dr. Boyd’s vision, Congress attendance continues to grow at a phenomenal rate, and the National Baptist Congress, “A School of Methods for Christian Training,” is held in cities around the country. In the 1980s, Congress was incorporated as the National Baptist Sunday School and Baptist Training Union Congress. The National Baptist Congress maintains its mission to continue the discipline of Christian education and training for youth and adults.
