Solomons Baptist Association
Encyclopedia
The Solomons Baptist Association is a regional/national association of churches affiliated with and cooperating in the American Baptist Association
.
Neil Morley, a missionary sent by Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Lynwood, California
, entered the Solomon Islands
in 1969. At that time the country was a protectorate of Great Britain
, but gained its independence in 1978. This area consists of 10 larger islands and 4 groups of smaller islands. The native peoples of the Solomons are Melanesian.
From its beginning in 1969 until 2002, the work of the American Baptist Association in the Solomons had grown to 56 churches, consisting of one congregation on Bellona
, eight congregations on Guadalcanal
, 42 congregations on Malaita
, three congregations on Rennell, one congregation on Russell
, and one congregation in Western Province. Solomons Baptist Association represents about 95% of the Baptist work existing on the Solomon Islands, which in turn makes up about 10% of the mostly Christian
religions in the country. The work is largely self-supporting, with the churches being pastored by native Solomon Islanders.
The faith and practice of the churches of the Solomons Baptist Association is the same as other churches of the American Baptist Association, which can be described as conservative, evangelical
, and landmark.
American Baptist Association
The American Baptist Association , formed in 1924, is an association of nearly 2,000 theologically conservative churches that are Landmark Baptist in their missions and teachings...
.
Neil Morley, a missionary sent by Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Lynwood, California
Lynwood, California
Lynwood is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States of America. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 69,772, down from 69,845 at the 2000 census. Lynwood is located near South Gate and Compton in the southern portion of the Los Angeles Basin. Incorporated in...
, entered the Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
in 1969. At that time the country was a protectorate of Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, but gained its independence in 1978. This area consists of 10 larger islands and 4 groups of smaller islands. The native peoples of the Solomons are Melanesian.
From its beginning in 1969 until 2002, the work of the American Baptist Association in the Solomons had grown to 56 churches, consisting of one congregation on Bellona
Rennell and Bellona
In 1793 Bellona Island was named after a passing British ship, the Bellona. Rennell Island may have been named for the oceanographer James Rennell, FRS . In 1799 according to a chart both islands were named Bellonas Island. In 1816 the islands were referred to as Rennell’s Isles.The names the...
, eight congregations on Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal is a tropical island in the South-Western Pacific. The largest island in the Solomons, it was discovered by the Spanish expedition of Alvaro de Mendaña in 1568...
, 42 congregations on Malaita
Malaita
Malaita is the largest island of the Malaita Province in the Solomon Islands. A tropical and mountainous island, Malaita's pristine river systems and tropical forests have not been exploited. Malaita is the most populous island of the Solomon Islands, with 140,000 people or more than a third of the...
, three congregations on Rennell, one congregation on Russell
Russell Islands
The Russell Islands are two small islands, as well as several islets, of volcanic origin, in the Central Province of the Solomon Islands. They are located approximately 48 km northwest from Guadalcanal. The islands are partially covered in coconut plantations, and have a copra and oil factory at...
, and one congregation in Western Province. Solomons Baptist Association represents about 95% of the Baptist work existing on the Solomon Islands, which in turn makes up about 10% of the mostly Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
religions in the country. The work is largely self-supporting, with the churches being pastored by native Solomon Islanders.
The faith and practice of the churches of the Solomons Baptist Association is the same as other churches of the American Baptist Association, which can be described as conservative, evangelical
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
, and landmark.
Sources
- 2002 Yearbook, American Baptist Association
- American Baptist Association: A Survey and Census of its Churches and Associations, by R. L. Vaughn
- Baptists Around the World, by Albert W. Wardin, Jr.