In this issue of Glorious Hope

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2 Convention Mission Statement The Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada exists 1) to assist in extending the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in lands of central and eastern Europe, particularly the Czech and Slovak Republics; 2) to support the work of Baptists and other evangelical churches in North America that minister to persons of Czech and Slovak descent, and 3) to provide a Christian context for worship, fellowship, teaching, and appreciation of heritage among those in the United States and Canada who bear interest in the nationalities we represent. Misijní poslání konvence Československá baptistická konvence Spojených států a Kanady byla ustanovena za účelem: 1) napomáhat v šíření evangelia našeho Pána Ježíše Krista v zemích střední a východní Evropy, zvláště v České a Slovenské republice; 2) podporovat práci baptistů a jiných evangelikálních církví v severní Americe, které slouží českým a slovenským potomkům; 3) předkládat formu bohoslužby, obecenství a učení, vážit si dědictví těch, ve Spojených státech a v Kanadě, kterým leží na srdci národy, které reprezentujeme. Contents: From the President Robert Dvorak... 2 Prezident konvence Robert Dvorak... 3 From the First Vice President Joza Novak... 4 From the Executive Secretary Darko Siracki... 5 George Sommer Executive Secretary Glimpse into the History Natasha Laurinc... 6 Pohled do historie Nataša Laurincová... 8 It Happened Last 100 Years Ruby Mikulencak Greetings and Congratulatory Letters Pastor Dan Widlicka Remembers - Dan Widlicka The Missionary Work Natasha Laurinc Misijní práce Nataša Laurincová Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of the USA and Canada: Timeline History to 101 st Year Timeline Magazine Timeline The Czechoslovak Baptist Women s Mission Union Glorious Hope/Slavná nadìje Volume 37, N o 3, 2011 (USPS ), ISSN Published Bi-Monthly by The Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada. Periodical postage paid in Philippi, WV. Editor-in-Chief: Natasha Laurinc natasha.laurinc@sympatico.ca You may send articles to above address. Desktop publishing and art: Vit Malek Assistant Editors: Janice Cermak, Ondrej Laurinc, Ph.D. Production Manager: George Sommer Editorial Staff: George Sommer, Joseph Novak POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Publication Office: Glorious Hope / Slavná nadìje Rt. 4, Box 58D, Philippi, WV USA. george.sommer@ab.edu From the President Our Story In this issue of Glorious Hope you will be seeing and reading a lot about 100 years of Czechoslovak Baptist Convention existence and operation. We have such a wonderful story to tell. It is about the grace of God to our forebears and all that we loved and respected about them. It is also about the central, invigorating presence of the Holy Spirit in our mission down through the years to the present time. Ultimately this is not about us as a convention, but about the Lord at work in the world, bringing the gospel of salvation to nations and groups, among them Slovaks and Czechs who came to live in countries other than their native lands. God seems initially to have raised up the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention in order that the life, work, and ministry of congregations filled with immigrants to North America might flourish in the new world. July 3, 1909, saw some faithful Baptist pastors and churches of east central European extraction gather in Chicago to explore ways in which they might work together and help one another. Their English wasn t so good, but they could speak beautifully the languages of their homelands, which everyone present seemed to have been able to understand. Those who attended loved the fellowship. They quickly saw great potential in coordinating some aspects of their respective congregational experiences. Certainly they comprehended the words of Jesus in Matthew 18:19, and may even have quoted them to one another: Truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. So they were inclined to trust one another, share insights about the challenges and opportunities they were facing, maybe quarrel a little bit (gently and in the Spirit, one hopes), express opinions candidly, and begin to tackle problems common to the day. They dreamed of ways the young persons in their congregations might meet together, women organize into denomination-like mission focuses, congregations find help in securing new or replacement pastors through the reservoir of candidates available among the ministers. Most of all those who came together knew that effective evangelism and outreach the heartbeat of Continues on page 15 Covers: Vit Malek used photos from convention archive Convention historic photos were scanned and re-touched by Eric Shereda Convention photos Darko Siracki, Dusko Pilic, John Jeren Jr., Vlast Pojman, George Sommer, Maja Siracki, Eva Rehakova, David Wiseman 2 Vol 37 N o 3, 11 History of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada

3 Prezident konvence Náš příběh V tomto čísle Slavné naděje uvidíte a dočtete se mnoho o stoleté existenci a činnosti Československé konvence baptistů. Chceme se podělit o obdivuhodný příběh. Týká se Boží milosti projevené našim předkům a všeho toho, co jsme na nich milovali a vážili si. Týká se to také toho nejdůležitějšího, a to oživující přítomnosti Ducha Svatého při našem poslání v průběhu let až do současnosti. Nakonec se to netýká jen nás jako konvence, ale Boží práce ve světě, nesoucí zvěst o spasení národům a skupinám, mezi nimi Slovákům a Čechům, kteří přišli do zemí, jenž nebyly jejich rodnou zemí. Zdá se, že Bůh původně vybudoval Československou konvenci baptistů za účelem toho, aby život, práce a služba ve shromážděních, které tvořili emigranti v Severní Americe, v novém světě plně prosperovali. V Chicagu byl 3. červenec 1909 svědkem sejití několika věrných baptistických kazatelů a sborů, původem ze středovýchodní Evropy, kteří zkoumali způsoby, jak si vzájemně pomoci. Anglicky moc neuměli, ale dohovořili se svými překrásnými mateřskými jazyky, kterým všichni přítomní, zdá se, rozuměli. Zúčastnění milovali obecenství. Okamžitě pochopili ohromnou možnost v koordinování některých aspektů ze zkušeností vlastního společenství. Rozhodně pochopili Ježíšova slova v Matoušově evangeliu 18;19, možná si je dokonce i citovali: Říkám vám také, že pokud se dva z vás na zemi shodnou ohledně čehokoli, za co by prosili, stane se jim to od mého nebeského Otce. Vzájemně si důvěřovali, sdíleli porozumění při výzvách i příležitostech, kterým čelili, možná se i trochu dohadovali (mírně a v Duchu, doufejme), vyjadřujíce názory laskavě a řešíce tehdejší problémy. Toužili po tom, aby se v jejich shromážděních měli mladí lidé možnost setkat, aby se sestry mohly spojit v misijních zájmech a aby společenství našla pomoc při výměně nebo zajištění nových pastorů z dostatečného množství kandidátů v řadách kazatelů. Většina z nich si byla vědoma toho, že úspěšná evangelizace a její dosah srdce každé křesťanské věřící komunity dokázaly významné věci ze společných zdrojů a že jedno společenství, které zkouší jít na vlastní pěst, čelí mnohým nedostatkům, ale spojí-li se s dalšími, mohou mnohé docílit. Společně lépe mohlo být výstižným heslem pro to, co přicházelo. A tak to začalo. Tři roky na zkoušku, v roce1912, společenství, které se setkalo v Poundu, Wisconsin, se oddělilo od polské části a stanovilo si vlastní program. Nato bylo přijato jméno Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of America (Československá baptistická americká konvence) a shromáždění zvolilo výbor stávajíci ze čtyř členů, kterými byli: kazatel Matthias Steuček, prezident; kazatel August Meereis, viceprezident; kazatel Václav Hlad, tajemník; Ján Valaštiak, pokladník. Bezprostředně byla vykonána sbírka; výtěžek byl $7.00. A to do začátku stačilo! O století později Československá baptistická konvence USA a Kanady má docela jiný vzhled, než měla při svém ustanovení v roce Na několik let se kolébkou konvence stalo Philippi, Západní Virginie, ne Chicago, Illinois. Každé léto se na čtyři dny sejdeme na univerzitě Alderson-Broaddus College. V současné době se delegáti konvence skládají z členů, kteří se stotožňují s dlouholetým misijním zaměřením a posláním konvence. Pochopitelně se mnohé v struktuře a stylu konvence změnilo, ale oddanost Kristu, věrnost evangeliu, závazek zvěstování Krista národům a soudržnost, zvláště s baptistickými bratry a sestrami ve vlasti Slováků a Čechů, je stálá. Chcete odhalit více z našeho příběhu na stránkách časopisu? Věříme, že to, co zde najdete, se vám bude líbit. A nadto nadevšecko doufáme, že Pán schvaluje zápis naší konvence. Náším prvořadým úkolem je, abychom se Mu ve všem zalíbili. Díky za čtení a zvláště díky našim editorům a spolupracovníkům za zpracování tohoto materiálu. Robert Dvorak, prezident Československé baptistické konvence Přeložila Nataša Laurincová Banquet, November 1927 History of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada Vol 37 N o 3, 11 3

4 From the First Vice President I am very happy to write down my impressions of the Czechoslovak Baptist Centennial Convention. I attended the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention for the first time in 1954, in Toronto, Canada. In April I had just graduated from Winnipeg Bible College. I was asked to speak about Joshua. Next year we met in Chicago, and I was asked to address the Ladies Missionary Union. This is still very fresh in my mind, because just before I was to start my message, I had a telephone call from my sister-in-law, who told me that my wife Rose had given birth that morning to our son David. Because I was so excited and nervous, in my introduction, instead of saying that on the twelfth of July the Lord had blessed us with a son, I proudly declared that the Lord had blessed us with our twelfth son. As the years went by I became a member of the General Board. In 1960 I was elected vice president, and in 1963, president. From 1970 until 1980 I served as executive secretary. Since then I have held the office of president for Canada and first vice president of the Convention. In 1973 I served as editor of Glorious Hope. Now let me come back to our Centennial Convention. Throughout the years I have seen many changes. At times I was afraid that our Czechoslovak Baptist Convention had no future, and no purpose to continue. Then, under the leadership of Rev. Henry Boubelik, our Convention was rejuvenated. After the collapse of communism in Czechoslovakia, a new door was open for mission ministry. Our Convention seized that new opportunity for mission and started to support the Baptist Unions in the Czech and Slovak Republics. Now new and younger people have taken over the leadership, and our Convention is alive and active. This was especially evident at our Centennial gathering from July 9 to12, My wife Rose and I thoroughly enjoyed those days. It was very encouraging to see so many young people and children. Congregational singing, combined choir and other musical numbers were uplifting and inspiring. Messages by Dr. Denton Lotz and by Canadian evangelist Dr. Barry Moore were challenging and heart-searching. Bible studies in Slovak and English languages were educational, instructive and uplifting. I also appreciated the combined choir from the Toronto area (most of them were members of the Czechoslovak Baptist church when I was their pastor, between 1955 and 1978). We all enjoyed those old Czech pieces from the hymn book called Chvalozpěvy. I believe that the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention has a purpose and reason to continue, and I pray that we will continue to serve the Lord for many more years. Rev. Joza Novak It Happened Last 100 Years Continues from page 11 often stopping in Cleveland for a We have a wonderful heritage visit with Esther and Bill Widlicka. that we should never forget. I am In the latter years my sister Ruth proud to be of Czech descent and Whitlow joined us as well. am so grateful to the Lord for the The involvement with the Convention Convention and to you who make these past 20 years have up the Convention. been such an honor and blessing I close with reminding us of to me. I count it such a privilege to some of the things that I found know many of you and also many Uncle Henry constantly passionate who have already gone to our heavenly about all through his ministry on home. I am grateful too for the earth: Czech congregations, mis- times I have shared at the women s sions, radio, young people, good missionary gathering, as well as Dr. Robert Mobley and Dr. Denton Lotz food and of course fishing!! the times I was able to share with I look forward to one day seeing the whole convention about the him and countless others of Czech work in Ghana, West Africa. I fondly remember Brother and Slovak origin when we meet up there in heaven. Praise Mobley as president, and of course our present president, the Lord for the future and the hope we have of being one Brother Bob, has always made me feel so much a part of big family of God in our eternal home. the Convention. 4 Vol 37 N o 3, 11 History of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada

5 From the Executive Secretary The first Convention I attended was in I moved to Canada in 1991, and shortly afterwards I met the youth of the Slovak Baptist Church in Kingsville and started attending all the conferences and conventions with them. We would travel regularly to the spring conference of the Toronto church as well as to all three conferences of the South Slavic Evangelical Mission. In the spring of 2004, I was asked to join the General Board of the Convention and help with the youth. In 2008 Brian Dors and I were asked to help in coordination and preparation of our Centennial Celebration, held in July That same year I was asked to consider the position of executive secretary upon the retirement of George Sommer. It is an honor and a great responsibility to be entrusted with this position. I deeply appreciate your prayers as well as the encouragement shown to me and my wife Maja. I am looking forward to all the challenges as executive secretary, not only during the annual convention but throughout the entire year. One of my favorite and most encouraging Bible verses is Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. I hope it will be encouragement not only to you but to the entire Czechoslovak Baptist Convention. The Lord had a plan for our Convention. And it is clear to many of us that this plan is not fully completed. The Lord blessed the Convention and He made it prosper in many ways, and only He knows the future of the Convention. I encourage you to be part of it. In His service, Darko Siracki Your talk talks, and your walk talks, but your walk talks louder than your talk talks. I, therefore beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called. (Ephesians 4:1) George Sommer Executive Secretary Our First Convention We arrived in the USA in late August We knew of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of the USA and Canada, but we did not have any contact. Later on we got the address of Mr. & Mrs. Piroch, editor of Pravda a Slavna nadeje, and they sent us the magazine, where we learned about the convention. We wanted to attend the next annual convention, but unfortunately, the convention was held in Toronto and then in Minitonas, both in Canada, and as we did not have a green card, we could not leave the USA. We learned that the 1972 convention would be held at a church in Campbell, Ohio. At that time, the pastor of the church was Rev. John Karenko. We sent the registration and a letter that I would like to lead the convention choir, same as we did back in Czechoslovakia during our annual conferences. When we arrived, I asked Rev. Joza Novak if they had received my letter. He was laughing and said that Rev. John Karenko did not know the Czech language, so Joza had to translate for him. We were very surprised the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention, how come they do not speak Czech? Well, eventually we organized the convention choir that sang during the convention. With God s help I led the convention choir until George and Marija Sommer Martin Alac daughters with Marija Sommer History of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada Vol 37 N o 3, 11 5

6 Glimpse into the History of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada The first Bohemian immigrant to America Augustine Heřman ( ) The first Slovaj immigrant to America Duke Móric Beňovský ( ) A homeland is a place with which a group of people holds a shared history and a deep cultural association, a geographical region in which a particular national identity developed. Nothing is so dear to people as home. Being forced to leave one s native country with no possibility of return is a very cruel kind of punishment. There are many reasons that people might choose to emigrate. Some are religious, political or economic freedom, or escape. In the case of Czech and Slovak people, the main cause was religious. The second cause was political, and the third reason was economic. It is believed that probably there is no country in the world today where there are no Czech and Slovak people. The earliest known emigration from Bohemia to North America happened in the first part of the 17 th century, after the disastrous Battle of White Mountain in This battle marked the beginning of the collapse of Protestantism and the downfall of the nation s independence. The re-catholization of Bohemia and Moravia followed. An imperial patent was issued in 1627 ordering Protestants to convert to the Catholic faith or leave the country. That brought about the greatest exodus from the Bohemian lands. Entire families fled to many European states and also to America. An estimated 150,000 to 200,000 Czech Protestants left their homeland at that time, including one of the greatest of the world s teachers, the prominent Jan Amos Komenský. Natasha Laurinc The first Bohemian immigrant to America was Augustine Heřman ( ), a Czech nobleman who came to New York in The first Slovak to come to America, in 1785, was Duke Móric Beňovský ( ), King of Madagascar. Mass immigration to America began in the nineteenth century for political reasons. Soon after coming to America, Czechs and Slovaks started publishing their own various papers and books and having private schools. The greatest centre for Czechs was Chicago, Illinois, and for Slovaks, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In the 1990 US census, Slovak-Americans made up the second-largest portion of Slavic ethnic groups. There are currently about 790,000 people of Slovak descent living in the United States. According to the 2000 US census, there are 1,262,527 Americans of full or partial Czech descent, in addition to 441,403 persons listing their ancestry as Czechoslovak. The Baptists began mission work among the Czechs and Slovaks in America in First Bohemian Baptist Church of Chicago, Illinois, became the cradle of the Czecho-Slovak Baptist mission work. On Sunday, January 8, 1888, Rev. L. Lany, the missionary for the Bohemians, started services, and on February 3, 1888, six people were baptized on confession of their faith in Jesus Christ. During the same year twelve more persons were baptized, and the little group grew. After two years Rev. L. Lany returned to work among the immigrants at Ellis Island, doorway to the USA. Rev. Jacob Meier, pastor of the First German Baptist Church, made connections with Rev. Henry Novotný of Prague, asking him to suggest a missionary. Mr. Novotný recommended Mr. John Kejř, a Bohemian colporteur. Mr. Kejř accepted, and began his ministry on February 5, The Czech and Slovak Baptists sought the opportunity to unite. In 1902, Rev. Václav Králíček suggested a joint meeting in Chicago. On Thanksgiving Day in 1909, the first Slavic Baptist Convention met under the leadership of Rev. Králíček, then pastor of First Bohemian Baptist Church. Delegates also included pastors and lay persons from Polish Baptist churches. The Convention elected four officers, all clergy, to carry on its initial organizational work: Rev. Václav Králíček, president; Rev. Matthias Steuček, vice president; Rev. Karel Střelec, recording secretary; and Rev. Václav Hlad, treasurer. Three years later, at a convention 6 Vol 37 N o 3, 11 History of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada

7 held in Pound, Wisconsin, members decided that Polish Baptists and Czechoslovak Baptists should pursue their work separately. Consequently the Slavic Baptist Convention dissolved, and immediately the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of America was organized. It met the following year, 1913, in Creighton, Pennsylvania, and has convened annually ever since. In the early years of Convention life, most energy and activity was directed toward denominational concerns: the establishment of congregations and relationships among ministers, development of mission work, organization of a women s auxiliary and youth associations, discussion of theological concerns, and cooperation in financial matters. Over subsequent years the Convention has called and sent missionaries to Czechoslovakia and other countries, and in other ways has always sought ways to support mission enterprises abroad. Soon the Convention saw the need for a communication linkage among the constituency, and so it provided for a publishing ministry. For many years the convention magazine bore the name Pravda a Slavná naděje (Truth and Glorious Hope). Currently the periodical, published bi-monthly, carries the title Glorious Hope/Slavná naděje. During the hardest years of the Communist regime in Czechoslovakia, when political rigidities made contact with the homelands of Central Europe difficult, the Convention turned its attention to Haiti and the support of evangelism and church planting in that Caribbean nation. The focus on Slavic lands, however, was never forgotten. In the 1970s and 1980s the Convention turned once again to its first love, supporting gospel outreach in Czechoslovakia, this time through language-specific broadcasting of TransWorld Radio (TWR) in Monte Carlo. More recently still, the 84 th Annual Convention held in Minitonas, Manitoba, in 1993, voted to shift funding from TWR broadcasting to the Baptist Unions of the Czech Republic and Slovakia directly. Since 1994, then, on an alternating-year basis, the Czech Baptist leadership and the Slovak Baptist leadership make proposals to the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada for specific financial support. In the summer of 1997, the president and executive secretary of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention visited in the Czech Republic and Slovakia with local Baptist Union leaders, pastors, and congregations, in an effort to further solidify the long ongoing relationship with Baptist brothers and sisters there. In 1997 only six congregations maintained formal identification as Czechoslovak Baptist Convention churches. Three are located in Canada: First Czech Baptist Church, Minitonas, MB; Czechoslovak Baptist Church, Toronto, ON; and Grace Baptist Church, Windsor, ON. Three others are in the United States: Scranton Road Baptist Church, Cleveland, OH; Hatch Hollow Baptist Church, Union City, PA; and First Baptist Church, Campbell, OH. Most other congregations formerly associated with the Convention have redirected their connections toward the larger national and regional Baptist bodies in both countries. In some cases, membership demographics have so significantly changed as to render a given congregation no longer Czech or Slovak in identity or interest. Some earlier churches of the Convention have disbanded; a few have chosen to drop affiliation and pursue independent paths. Continues on page 15 History of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada Vol 37 N o 3, 11 7

8 Pohled do historie Československé baptistické konvence v USA a Kanadě Rodná zem je místo, kde určitá skupina lidí sdílí společnou historii a má hlubokou kulturní asociaci, zeměpisnou oblast, ve které se formuje specifická identita. Není nic dražšího než domov. Násilný odchod z vlasti bez možnosti návratu je velmi krutá forma trestu. Lidé se rozhodují k emigraci z několika důvodů. Některé se týkají náboženské, politické nebo ekonomiské svodody. V případě Čechů a Slováků hlavním důvodem byla svoboda vyznání. Na druhém místě to byly důvody politické, na třetím existenční. Říká se, že na světě snad není země, kde by nežili Češi a Slováci. První zmínka o emigraci z Čech do Severní Ameriky je z první poloviny 17. století, po prohrané bitvě na Bílé hoře v roce Touto bitvou je označován počátek pronásledování protestantů a ztráty národní nezávislosti. Po té následovala rekatolizace Čech a Moravy. Císařský patent z roku 1627 nařizoval přijetí katolické víry anebo vystěhování. To způsobilo hromadný odchod z českých zemí. Celé rodiny uprchly do různých evropských států a také do Ameriky. Odhaduje se, že v té době opustilo svou vlast až českých protestantů, mezi nimi i významná osobnost, učitel národů Jan Ámos Komenský. Prvním českým emigrantem do Ameriky byl Augustine Heřman ( ), český šlechtic, který přišel do New Yorku v roce Hrabě Móric Beňovský ( ), král Madagaskaru, byl prvním Slovákem, který přišel do Ameriky v roce Masová emigrace do Ameriky, z politických důvodů, se datuje do 19. století. Krátce po příchodu do Ameriky Češi i Slováci vydávali své noviny, knihy a zakládali vlastní školy. Největší středisko Čechů se nacházelo v Chicagu, v Illinois, a střediskem Slováků byl Pittsburgh v Pennsylvanii. Podle sčítání obyvatel v USA z roku 1990 jsou druhou největší částí slovanských etnických skupin Slováci. V současné době žije ve Spojených státech lidí slovenského původu. Sčítání obyvatel v USA z roku 2000 uvádí, že Američanů je původu českého anebo má původ částečně český, a dalších lidí uvádí své předky Čechoslováky. Baptistická práce mezi Čechy a Slováky v Americe začala v roce První český baptistický sbor v Chicagu, v Illinois, se stal kolébkou česko-slovenské misijní práce. Bohoslužby zahájil v neděli 8. ledna1888 kazatel L. Lany, misionář pracujíci mezi Čechy, a 3.února 1888 bylo šest lidí pokřtěno na vyznání své víry v Pána Ježíše Krista. V průběhu roku bylo pokřtěno dalších dvanáct lidí a skupinka se rozrůstala. Po dvou letech se kazatel L. Lany vrátil k práci mezi emigranty na ostrov Ellis, vstupní brány do USA. Kazatel Prvního německého baptistického sboru v USA Jacob Meier navázal kontakt s kazatelem Jindřichem Novotným z Prahy ohledně misonáře. J. Novotný doporučil Jana Kejře, českého kolportéra biblí. J. Kejř nabídku přijal a službu započal 5. února Čeští a slovenští baptisté hledali příležitost ke sjednocení. V roce 1902 kazatel Prvního českého baptistického sboru Václav Králíček navrhl společné shromáždění v Chicagu. V Den díkůvzdání v roce 1909 se pod jeho vedením sešla první Slovanská baptistická konvence. Mezi delegáty byli přítomní také kazatelé a laičtí pracovníci Minitonas 1974 Rev. John Kejr 8 Vol 37 N o 3, 11 History of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada

9 polských baptistických sborů. Za účelem organizace konvence zvolila z řady kazatelů čtyři vedoucí pracovníky: kaz. Václava Králíčka prezidentem, kaz. Matthiase Steučka viceprezidentem, kaz. Karla Střelce zapisovatelem a kaz. Václava Hlada pokladníkem. Tři roky na to, na konvenci v Poundu, ve Wisconsinu, z rozhodnutí členů konvence se polští a českoslovenští baptisté rozdělili. Následkem toho byla Slovanská baptistická konvence rozpuštěna a okamžitě ustanovena Československá baptistická konvence v Americe. Sešla se v následujícím roce 1913 v Creightonu, v Pennsylvanii, a od té doby se každým rokem schází pravidelně. V počátcích konvence byla většina úsilí a činnosti zaměřena na církevní zájmy: zakládání společenství a upevňování vztahů mezi kazateli, rozvoj misijní práce, organizování sesterských dobročinných kroužků a mládeže, řešení teologických otázek a spolupráci ohledně finančních záležitostí. V dalších letech konvence povolala a vyslala misionáře do Československa a jiných zemí, a vždy hledala další cesty k podpoře misijních organizací v zahraničí. Záhy konvence pocítila potřebu vlastního sdělovacího prostředku mezi členstvem, a tak založila vydavatelství. Po mnoho let se konvenční časopis jmenoval Pravda a Slavná naděje. V současné době časopis vychází každé dva měsíce a nese název Glorious Hope/Slavná naděje. V nejtěžších letech komunistického režimu v Československu, kdy politická nekompromisnost znemožnila kontakty s rodnými zeměmi ve střední Evropě, se konvence zaměřila na Haiti a podporovala evangelizaci a zakládání sborů v této karibské oblasti. Slovanské země však nikdy neupadly v zapomění. V letech se konvence opět navrátila ke své první lásce v podpoře šíření evangelia v Československu, tentokrát prostřednictvím rozhlasové stanice Trans World Radio (TWR) v Monte Carlu. Později, v Dobroslav Stehlík, George Sommer, roce 1993, na 84. Robert Dvorak and Petr Červinský konvenci v Minnitonasu, v Manitobě, přesunula podporu rozhlasové stanice TWR přímo Jednotě baptistů v Česku a na Slovensku. Od roku 1994, na základě návrhů vedení slovenských a českých baptistů, je zasílána každým rokem finanční podpora střídavě na Slovensko a do Česka. V létě v roce 1997 navštívili prezident a tajemník Československé baptistické konvence, spolu s představiteli Jednoty In the summer of 1997, the president and executive secretary of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention visited the Czech Republic and Slovakia. From left: Marija Sommer, Robert Dvorak, Dorothy Dvorak, George Sommer, Květa Šolcová and Miloš Šolc baptistů, kazatele a sbory v České republice a na Slovensku za účelem dalšího upevnění dlouhodobých vztahů s tamními bratry a sestrami. V roce 1997 se pouze šest sborů hlásilo k Československé baptistické kovenci. Tři jsou v Kanadě: První český baptistický sbor v Minitonas, MB, Československý baptistický sbor v Torontě, ON, a Baptistický sbor milost ve Windsoru, ON. Další tři jsou ve Spojených státech: Baptistický sbor na Scrantonově ulici v Clevelandě, OH, Baptistický sbor v Hatch Hollow v Union City, PA, a První baptistický sbor v Campbellu, OH. Většina dalších sborů patřících do konvence se připojila k větším státním a oblastním baptistickým tělesům jak v USA, tak i v Kanadě. V některých případech došlo k takovým demografickým změnám, že se k českému nebo slovenskému původu již nehlásí a ani o to nemají zájem. Některé dřívější sbory konvence se rozpadly, několik se rozhodlo zrušit členství a jít svou vlastní cestou. Je třeba dodat, že kromě šesti výše zmíněných sborů, konvence zahrnuje mnoho lidí, kteří vyrůstali v Československém baptistickém sboru nebo je zaujal život a práce konvence z nejrůznějších osobních důvodů. Ve Spojených státech a v Kanadě je na konvenčním seznamu 800 adres. Dá se říci, že dnešní konvence je charakterizována více osobními než sborovými svazky. Spolupráce, jednota, obecenství, poslání a společné dědictví jsou dnes pravděpodobně silnějším faktorem než kdykoliv předtím ve stoleté historii konvence. Nataša Laurincová George Sommer, Marija Sommer, Jiří and Ludmila Dedecius History of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada Vol 37 N o 3, 11 9

10 It Happened Last 100 Years About Rev. Henry F. Boubelik By Ruby Mikulencak, Henry s niece If it was not for Rev. Henry F. Boubelik, I would not be standing in front of you today. Uncle Henry had a passion and love for the Convention that started when he was a young pastor in charge of five Wisconsin mission churches in the late 1940s. His love and concern for the Convention continued until the time of his death. Wherever he went as a pastor, the Convention was always part of him. I am convinced that it was because of his passion while president to keep the Convention alive and well that we can celebrate this 100th year anniversary. I am sure he is looking down at us and enjoying seeing the fruit of his faithful years of service to the Lord and to the Convention. In the late 1940s (Nov. 7, 1947 till January 2, 1955), Henry Boubelik and Vic Wilcox Uncle Henry became the pastor of five Czech-related churches in northern Wisconsin. This work started when a number of Czechoslovak Baptist settlers made their home in the Goodrich area. They were considered a mission station of the Emmanuel (Bohemian) Baptist Church of Chicago, later called Lawndale Emmanuel Baptist. They were visited once or twice a year by the pastors of the mother church. Rev. Vaclav Hlad, grandfather of Bob, our president, and at that time pastor of the Lawndale Baptist Church, was the first pastor to visit the mission churches in northern Wisconsin. He baptized the first members of Ruby Mikulencak the Goodrich church in the Rib River, less than half a mile away from the present Goodrich Community Church, formerly Goodrich Baptist Church, the home church I grew up in. Some other interesting facts of this northern outreach of the convention: Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ivaska moved to Westboro from their home church, New Covenant Baptist Church of Chicago. This was one outpost. Mr. and Mrs. John Pilch and family moved to Phillips, also members of the new Covenant Baptist Church, which became another outpost. Another group came from Minneapolis Slovak Baptist Church to Arnold and Donald. The first full-time pastor of these churches was Brother Mike Evan followed by Dan Evan and then Henry F. Boubelik. Besides being the pastor of the five mission churches, Uncle Henry s ministry also involved a radio program that reached into many Czech and Polish homes, not only in Wisconsin but in Minnesota as well, particularly in New Prague. He had a very active young people s group that together with Youth for Christ made a huge impact in the northern sphere of Wisconsin. He also wrote a monthly newsletter of the Wisconsin mission work of the Convention that has helped me piece together some of the things that were accomplished in this northern mission field. After Uncle Henry left, most of the pastoring was done by lay pastors, most notably and prominently Frank Macik and his understudy, John Mikulencak. At the annual Convention of 1938, Joseph Macik, the founder of the Goodrich group, was sent as a delegate representing the Goodrich Baptist Church. He gave his greetings and ended his talk with I m so happy to be here today among all you believers. If I never see any of you again in this world, I want to meet you all in heaven. As he sat down his head slumped over and he passed into eternity right during the convention. Anyone here who remembers this? In 1950 at the Convention in Cleveland, President Mike Evan stopped all proceedings and there was an hour spent 10 Vol 37 N o 3, 11 History of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada

11 in prayer. Those who attended this convention from Wisconsin were John and Rose Mikul, Anna Macik and Pastor Boubelik. The next Convention was held at Cedar Lake, Indiana, in The news coming out of this convention was that the Convention was going to be held in Medford, Wisconsin, the following year. Missionary outreach for the convention that year and the previous year was $10,000. Unfortunately the Convention never came to Medford. Instead it was held in the Immanuel Baptist Church in Minneapolis. Bob and Francis Gardner supplied the music, and Dan Widlicka led the music. Was this the first time of many conventions that our brother Dan roused us to singing praises and adoration to our beloved Savior and King? Thank you, Dan, for your faithful years of service to us all and to the Convention! Brother Frank Macik spoke at this convention with a sermon entitled Occupying for Christ as Church Members. At that same convention, the then president, Rev. Kmetko, asked Uncle Henry to broadcast the Convention live from Minneapolis. It was the first time that radio broadcasts came directly from the Convention. After around 1955 the trail of the convention disappears until around , when it reappears again in Uncle Henry s life. In the late 1960s, Dan Widlicka was asked by Joe and Mary Schoun to come back home to Scranton Road Baptist Church. Dan did and became part of the Executive of the Convention. He contacted Uncle Henry and asked him to do revival meetings on the Second Com- Henry Boubelik and Frank Brdlik ing of Christ. Just before those meetings, the Executive of the Convention met and were considering closing the Convention. Rev. Kerenko suggested they pool the money and give it to a worthy cause. Dan Widlicka suggested, Let s pray about this before we act. During the revival meetings with Uncle Henry, it was suggested that he try to revive the Convention by taking up the presidency. He took the challenge and became president. I strongly believe it was his involvement that started the resurgence within the Convention. This is a big reason why we are meeting here today. Sometime in 1973, Uncle Henry moved to Minitonas for four months, but ended up staying five years, as there was a great need for the Czech congregation there. He was also serving as the president of the Convention at the same time. In June of 1974, he took up a new post as missionary outreach for the Czech convention. He became the director of the Christian Missionary Stewardship Foundation. And this I think is where I come in! At the 1988 Convention in Cleveland, I was introduced to the Convention as a third-generation Czech. I have been involved with the Convention ever since that time, but never would have been if it hadn t been for Uncle Henry s vision of reviving the Convention by bringing in full-time workers of Czech descent. Every time I came home I was involved in the convention, which was about every three years. I remember fondly these years when my parents and I made the long trek from Wisconsin to West Virginia, Mabel and Henry Boubelik, Daniel Widlicka Continues on page 4 History of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada Vol 37 N o 3, 11 11

12 Greetings and Congratulatory Letters Dear Brother Dvorak and participants of the Centennial Celebration: As you celebrate the 100 th Anniversary of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention, please accept my heartfelt congratulations on this joyous and most memorable occasion. I want you to know that your convention has had a profound influence in my life and ministry. Our family arrived in the USA in 1949, and in 1950 my father was invited to Cleveland, Ohio, to revitalize the ministry of the Russian Baptist Church there. The Russian congregation rented the facilities of the Scranton Road Baptist Church. Since our Russian services were held at 3 p.m., I was able to attend the Sunday school and morning services of the Scranton Road Baptist Church and to enjoy the wonderful preaching of Dr. Kmetko and the faithful teaching of our Sunday school teacher, whose name I have forgotten. When I was 16, my father baptized me in the sanctuary of that church. I never intended to go into the Christian ministry, and earned a degree in physics. But the Lord had other plans for me. Eventually, I attended Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, studied in Germany and France and became pastor of the First Russian Baptist Church in Newark, NJ. (In 1972 we moved to Union, NJ, and changed the name to Evangelical Baptist Church.) I have been serving this bilingual congregation (English-Russian) for 45 years now. We re part of the Russian-Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Union, USA, and, this weekend June we will be celebrating the 90 th Anniversary of RUEBU s ministry in Philadelphia, where it all started. (You re ten years ahead of us!) During this time I served in every possible capacity with RUEBU, including as president for eight years. In addition to my pastoral ministry, I was involved in radio ministry to the Soviet Union, and later to Russia, for 45 years. Since 1993, I have served as a trustee with the Moscow Theological Seminary (Russia), where I teach a course every year. I had the joy of introducing a youth ministry in Russia, which functions in six cities and operates a Transformation Christian Center for drug addicts. For 17 years I was Denton Lotz s adviser with BWA for the former Soviet Union and Russia. There are other ministries. I share this information not to boast about myself but to give God the glory and to thank the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention for the important part that it played in my life as a teenager many years ago in Cleveland, Ohio. Were it not for Scranton Road Baptist Church, I don t know where I would be today. Through its faithful ministry to me and through my ministry in Eastern and Western Europe, and North and South America, CBC has touched more lives than you can imagine. You have invested in my life, and my fruit is your fruit as well, to the eternal glory of God and the joy of those redeemed by Christ through our labors for Him. May the Lord bless you and all who are with you at your Centennial Convention as you celebrate the faithfulness of God and that of those who were once part of your fellowship. Congratulations on behalf of RUEBU, which I presently serve at its first vice president, and from our president, the Rev. George Harlov. Rejoicing with you, George Boltniew Vítám vás jménem Alderson- Broaddus College. This year you celebrate your Centennial of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention on the historic hilltop in Philippi. It was my privilege 20 years ago to invite you to hold your first convention at Alderson-Broaddus College. Thus began a mutually beneficial and enriching relationship that brings the Czech Baptist Convention back to Philippi on July 9-12, 2009, to celebrate 100 years of meeting the needs of the world through preaching the gospel. Few things are more demanding or inspiring than the perennial job of making the faith intelligible and credible, comprehensive and convincing, to well-informed and honest minds, which is the goal of your Convention. Nothing short of the gospel can bring the hope and stability that our world needs and wants so desperately. The students, faculty, staff, trustees, and alumni of Alderson-Broaddus College are proud of the College s association with the Czech Baptist Convention, and we are all happy that you continue to choose Alderson-Broaddus as the place for your worship, renewal, study, and planning. Like you, Alderson-Broaddus College is proud of our Baptist roots and our Baptist heritage. We are also proud of our Baptist ideals, and we strive to live up to them. We pray God s blessing upon you as you worship, plan, pray, fellowship, work, and celebrate during your Centennial Convention. It has been my joy to be associated with many of you over the years, and my only regret is that time and distance prohibit my joining you this year for the Czech Baptist Convention Centennial. Yours in Christ, William Christian Sizemore President of Alderson-Broaddus College, Vol 37 N o 3, 11 History of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada

13 A Special Friendship For almost a quarter of a century, Alderson-Broaddus College and the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention have enjoyed a unique Christian partnership which has drawn the two closer together in a special way. What began for the College as the hosting of the annual convention on the campus each July has grown into a deep friendship defined by the caring manner exhibited by both groups. What began as a routine business venture has grown into a warm family gathering with members of each group genuinely committed to the care of the other. For over a dozen years ( ), I had the pleasure of actively participating in this yearly Baptist gathering and gained many new and wonderful friends within the Convention. I had the privilege of conferring honorary doctoral degrees on Rev. Robert Mobley, Rev. Andrew Kmetko, and Rev. Robert Dvorak. From the meaningful worship services to the annual convention Sunday buffet, this was always a picture-perfect event. Susan and I had the pleasure of becoming good friends with Bob and Dottie, and we cherish our times together at the annual meeting. I so admired Bob s dramatic preaching that I asked him to speak at one of our important Opening Convocations here on the campus. The Convention was so committed to the College that they implemented two endowed scholarships which will benefit A-B students for decades to come. This gift of love will provide love for years to come for many of our students. My strong personal feelings for my Czech brethren was exhibited in my carefully crafted annual welcoming letter and opening Convention remarks. For me this partnership was a spiritual tie between the majestic mountains of Central Europe and the magnificent mountains of Appalachia a spiritual tie between fellow believers from Canada and the U.S. and the A-B family members called to serve others through Christian higher education. Each year, the Convention came to our mountaintop to provide its members with a mountaintop spiritual experience, but this annual gathering also provided us in the A-B family with a mountaintop spiritual experience! Dr. Steven Markwood President of Alderson-Broaddus College As I complete my first year as the eighth president of Alderson-Broaddus College, I am honored to reflect on the beautiful relationship between Alderson-Broaddus College and the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with George and Marija Sommer, whose 40-year journey with A-B College and support for the Convention is a testimony of God s grace and blessing. There can be no doubt that God led them to our school and has used them to bless the lives of countless faculty, staff and students. George and Marija Sommer have been instrumental in the strong partnership between Alderson-Broaddus College and the Convention. When I think of the 20 years of songs, prayers, and fellowship brought to our campus by the Convention, I recognize the blessing of this gathering to our College family. Our College owes a debt of gratitude to George and Marija for their leadership, and to the Convention for the spirit and joy they brought to our school. In these days of economic uncertainty and worldwide trouble and fear, I am delighted that the message and ministry of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention prevails. The glorious hope found in each convention participant s journey of faith and testimonial is an encouragement to all who pass our way. May God continue to bless the members and leaders of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention. With glorious hope, J. Michael Clyburn President of Alderson-Broaddus College, History of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada Vol 37 N o 3, 11 13

14 Minitonas Greetings Dear members of the czechoslovak convention, Milestones are amazing. God reminds us many times in scripture of the value of milestones and moments that impact generations to come. One hundred years is a significant achievement, but what is even more amazing is the hand of God and what He has done in those 100 years. When the people of Israel saw God s miracle of the parting of the Red Sea, the parting of the Jordan River at flood time, God asked them to build a monument of stones. Why? So when they passed by those monuments they would be reminded of the power and glory of God. In that reminding they would be impressed to pass the story down to another generation of Hebrews. When God parted the waters of the Jordan River to let the chosen people enter the promised land, Joshua collected stones from the river bottom. He built a monument on the river bank as an object lesson for generations to come. In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, What do these stones mean? (Joshua 4:21). These stones will always remind their children that God keeps his promises and protects his people. Think of the people who have been impacted in the last 100 years because of the Czech Convention, the lives that have been transformed and renewed through Jesus Christ because a group of people 100 years ago began a vision that was prompted by God. Each year the monument laid down more reminding stones: stories of God changing lives, the gospel being preached, churches impacting their community for the Kingdom of God. Cornerstone Baptist Church would like to extend our congratulations for this milestone of which we have also been a part. I am reminded of the hymn written by Fanny Crossly, To God Be the Glory To God be the glory, great things He has done; So loved He the world that He gave us His Son, Who yielded His life an atonement for sin, And opened the life gate that all may go in. Refrain Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the earth hear His voice! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the people rejoice! O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son, And give Him the glory, great things He has done. In Christ, Pastor Garth Priebe Cornerstone Baptist Congregation Czechoslovak Baptist Convention 1993 Minitonas 14 Vol 37 N o 3, 11 History of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada

15 In the fall of 1971 I attended the midyear planning session at the Hatch Hollow Baptist Church. Rev. Frank Brdlik was pastor. Rev. John Karenko was president of the Convention. During our session it was mentioned that we should consider dissolving the Convention and giving the remaining funds to our brethren in Czechoslovakia. After much prayer we felt the Lord was directing us to continue the Convention. One of the driving forces in this decision was the wonderful ministry of our periodical Glorious Hope, especially to our elderly brothers and sisters. (Editors at this time were Brothers Vladimir Canji and Stan Hibbins). Pastor Dan Widlicka Remembers Almost immediately at our Convention in Campbell, Ohio, in 1972, the Lord brought George and Marija Sommer to us with their unique music ministry, and many others who had escaped from Czechoslovakia after 1968, mainly people from the Toronto Czechoslovak Baptist Church. In 1973 I became president of the Convention. At that time Rev. Henry Boubelik was pastor of the Minitonas Czechoslovak Baptist Church. In 1974 Rev. Boubelik was voted in as president of the Convention, followed by myself, Rev. John Michael, and Rev. Robert Mobley. The rest is history, with our current president, Rev. Robert Dvorak President Continues from page 2 any Christian faith community achieved significant things from pooling resources, and that one congregation trying to go it alone faces a lot of limitations, but when joined with others can attempt and accomplish much. Better together could have been a great slogan for what was getting underway. So it started. Three years into the experiment, in 1912, the convention that met in Pound, Wisconsin, separated from the Polish constituency to undertake an agenda of its own. Thereafter the name Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of America was adopted, and the convention elected a team of four officers: Rev. Matthias Steucek, president; Rev. August Meereis, vice president; Rev. Vaclav Hlad, secretary; and John Valastiak, treasurer. Immediately an offering was taken; it netted $7.00. And that was enough to get going! One century later the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of the USA and Canada looks a lot different from what got organized in For some years now the cradle of our convention has been Philippi, West Virginia, not Chicago, IL. Each summer we meet on the campus of Alderson-Broaddus College for four days. Currently, convention delegates are those individual members who identify with the mission and purposes of a very long run of convention years. A lot of things about the structure and style of the convention have, of course, changed, but allegiance to Christ, loyalty to the gospel, commitment to bring Christ to the nations, and a solidarity particularly with Baptist brothers and sisters in the Slovak and Czech homelands remain fixed in place. Discover more of our story in the pages of this magazine, won t you? We trust you will enjoy what you find here. Above all, we hope that the Lord approves of the record of this convention. Our primary goal is to please him in all things. Thanks for reading, and special thanks to our editors and contributors for putting all this material together. Robert Dvorak, President of Czechoslovak Baptist Convention Glimpse into the History Continues from page 7 In addition to the six churches noted above, however, the Convention embraces numbers of people whose personal histories include formative years in Czechoslovak Baptist congregations or who have become interested in the life and work of the Convention for a variety of individual reasons. The mailing list for the United States and Canada numbers some 800 addresses. In some ways, the Convention today is characterized more by personal connectedness than by church networking. The collegiality, unity, fellowship, mission, and shared heritage are perhaps a stronger feature today than during some of the other periods in the hundred-year history of the Convention. Natasha Laurinc Drawn from various sources History of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada Vol 37 N o 3, 11 15

16 The Missionary Work During research on the Convention s history, one word started flashing throughout the pages. The word was mission. It is amazing how many people of the Convention have heard the call and gone to the mission field. The Convention has had very able ministers and missionaries, well educated and equipped for mission work. Several ministers have achieved high degrees. In nineteen years the Convention contributed over $33,000 towards the mission work Rev. Václav Hlad in Europe and in America. Several churches and missions were established in Czechoslovakia. Over the course of time, the Convention had as its missionaries in Czechoslovakia Rev. K. Čermák, Rev. J. Dvořák, Rev. Kadlec, Rev. J. Roth, Rev. K. Jersák, Rev. T. Macháček, Katarína Hudáčková Rev. J.P. Piroch Rev. Mikulenčák, Rev. J.P. Piroch and Rev. H. Slanina, Rev. Ján Šturman, Rev. Václav Hlad, Rev. Frank Brdlík, Rev. Dr. V.J. Vita, Rev. Joseph J. Shereda, Katarína Hudáčková. In Poland our missionaries were Rev. V. Volanský and Rev. E. Volanský; in Germany, E. Svoboda; and in the United States, Rev. J Fořt, Rev. F. Čech, Rev. Václav Vojta, Rev. Josef Vaněk and others. In 1941 Rev. and Mrs. M. Joe Novak and Ota Vozeh missionaries. After World War II a number of changes came about, chief of which was the anglicizing transition in all the churches. Young men and women establishing new homes felt the need for more English and a closer integration into the life of the community. A further change was the closing of the doors of Czechoslovakia to missionary work because of the political situation there: support of missionary work was blocked by the new government. In the course of time the Czechoslovak Convention saw the great need in the little country of Haiti, and started supporting Rev. C.S. Kelly. Other supported missions: In Yugoslavia native ministers and the seminary at Novi Sad. In Ghana Ruby Mikulencak, now SIM Ghana Director Tract Ministry Joe Novak Fellowship Missions V. Hromádka TWR broadcasts in Monte Carlo Otta Vožeh, Rev. Robert Poloha, Jozef Gabor HCJB broadcasts in Ecuador, South America Georgina Gonzalez Slavic Mission Rev. Vlado Čanji in Slovakia In Czech Republic Mark and Gretchen Potma In Kenya Dan and Dita Poenaru Natasha Laurinc Ruby Mikulencak Evan became the missionaries of this organization, working in a number of Wisconsin Czechoslovak settlements. The Czechoslovak Baptist Convention had almost three thousand members and twenty-five pastors, and was supporting sixteen Mark and Gretchen Potma Family 16 Vol 37 N o 3, 11 History of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada

17 Misijní práce Při zkoumání historie konvence mi začalo ze stránek probleskovat jedno slovo. Tím slovem byla misie. Je obdivuhodné kolik lidí z řad konvence slyšelo volání a odešlo na misijní pole. Konvence sdružovala velmi schopné a vzdělané kazatele i misionáře s potřebným vybavením pro misijní práci. Několik kazatelů dosáhlo vysokého vzdělání. Během devatenácti let existence konvence podporovala své misionáře kaz. K. Čermáka, kaz. J. Dvořáka, kaz. Kadlece, kaz. J. Rotha, kaz. K. Jersáka, kaz. T. Macháčka, kaz. Mikulenčáka, kaz. J.P. Pirocha, kaz. H. Slaninu, kaz. J. Šturmana, kaz. V. Hlada, kaz. F. Brdlíka, kaz. Dr. V.J. Vítu, kaz. J.J. Šeredu, Katarínu Hudáčkovou v Československu; v Polsku kaz. V. Volanského a kaz. E. Volanského; v Německu E. Svobodu; ve Spojených státech kaz. J. Fořta, kaz. F. Čecha, kaz. V. Vojtu, kaz. J. Vaňka a další. V roce 1941 se kaz. M. Evan a jeho manželka stali misionáři konvence, kteří pracovali mezi několika československými osadami. Československá baptistická konvence měla téměř tři tisíce členů s pětadvaceti kazately a podporovala šestnáct misionářů. Po druhé světové válce došlo k několika změnám, zvláště to byl přechod na angličtinu ve všech sborech. Mladí lidé zakládající rodiny cítili potřebu angličtiny a přizpůsobení se americkému způsobu života. Další změnou bylo uzavření dvěří do Československa pro misijní práci Joe Novak Ruby Mikulencak in Ghana Další podporované misie: v Jugoslávii místní kazatele a seminář v Novém Sadě v Ghaně Ruby Mikulenčákovou, nyní ředitelku SIM (misijní společnosti) v Ghaně traktátová misie Josef Novák misijní associace V. Hromádka TWR rozhlasové vysílání v Monte Carlu Otta Vožeh, kaz. Robert Poloha, Jozef Gábor HCJB rozhlasové vysílání v Jižní Americe Jiřinka Gonzálezová slovanská misie kaz. Vl. Čanji na Slovensku v České republice Mark a Gretchen Potmovi v Keni Dan a Dita Poenarovi Nataša Laurincová v důsledku politické situace po roce 1948: podpora misijní práce byla novou vládou zablokována. Po čase viděla československá konvence velkou potřebu v malé zemi Haiti a začala podporovat místního kaz. C.S. Kellyho. Rev. Vlado Čanji The Poenarus History of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada Vol 37 N o 3, 11 17

18 CZECHOSLOVAK BAPTIST CONVENTION OF THE USA AND CANADA 1909 Convention time line from year to year, showing the place of the Convention, giving the names of the elected officers in the following order: PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT SECRETARY TREASURER, and mentioning some items of interest, theme and text if available. 1 st CHICAGO, IL, First Bohemian Baptist Church Rev. Václav Králíček, Rev. Matthias Šteuček, Rev. K. Střelec, Rev. Václav Hlad 12 churches about 600 members 12 sborů přibližně 600 členů Chronologický přehled konvence uvádějící místo konání a jména zvolených pracovníků v následujícím pořadí: PREZIDENT VICEPREZIDENT TAJEMNÍK POKLADNÍK a zmiňující některé zajímavosti, dostupná tématá a texty. The First Czechoslovak Baptist Convention in nd DETROIT, MI No record available Žádné informace 1911 No record available Žádné informace rd POUND, WI, Polish Baptist Church Rev. Matthias Šteuček, Rev. August Meeris, Rev. Václav Hlad, Ján Valaštiak Decided to publish Slovak ZORA, monthly, Editor Ján Kana Přijato rozhodnutí k vydávání slovenského měsíčníku ZORA Rev. Václav Hlad 18 Vol 37 N o 3, 11 History of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada

19 History to 101 st Year th CREIGHTON, PA, First Slovak Baptist Church Rev. Václav Hlad, Rev. P. Bednár, Ján Kána, J. Valaštiak 5 th CHICAGO, IL, Emanuel Bohemian Baptist Church Rev. Václav Hlad, Rev. P. Bednár, Rev. A.P. Slabey, Ján Valaštiak 6 th NEWARK, NJ Rev. Václav Hlad, Rev. Matthias. Šteuček, Rev. K. Brázda, Ján Valaštiak The Slavic Baptist Training School established in Chicago Založen Slovanský baptistické učitelský ústav v Chicagu 7 th CLEVELAND, OH Rev. P. Bednár, Rev. A.P. Slabey, Rev. Anton Hok, Ján Valaštiak 8 th MONACA, PA Rev. A.P. Slabey, Rev. P. Brázda, Rev. B. Mrázek, Ján Valaštiak 13 Churches, 1158 members 13 sborů, 1158 členů 9 th DETROIT, MI Rev. P. Brázda, Rev. Matthias Šteuček, Mr. Krajčocič, Ján Valaštiak Robert Dvorak at the grave of his grandfather Rev. Vaclav Hlad June 11 15, 1916, Cleveland th CHICAGO, IL, First Bohemian Baptist Church Rev. P. Brázda, Rev. Anton Hok, Rev. B. Mrázek, Ján Valaštiak 11 th CLEVELAND, OH Rev. Dr. V.J. Víta, Rev. Anton Hok, Rev. J.J. Pavelda, Ján Valaštiak History of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada Vol 37 N o 3, 11 19

20 CZECHOSLOVAK BAPTIST CONVENTION OF THE USA AND CANADA th RICHMOND, VA Rev. Dr. V. J. Víta, Rev. K. Brázda, Rev. J. J. Pavelda, F. Leiner The Slavic Baptist Training School transfered to East Orange, N. J., as Czechoslovak Department of International Baptist Seminary Slovanský baptistický učitelský ústav převeden do East Orange, N. J., jako Československá sekce Mezinárodního baptistického semináře 20 Churches, 1799 members 20 sborů, 1799 členů 13 th MINNEAPOLIS, MN, First Slovak Baptist Church No record available about officers Žádná jména pracovníků k dispozici Periodical PRAVDA accepted as the conventional journal Periodikum PRAVDA přijaté jako konvenční časopis Support of missionary work in Czechoslovakia begun Počátek podpory misiononářů v Československu 14 th CICERO, IL Rev. Š.J. Herban, Rev. Karel Dušek, Rev. Edward Čatloš, F. Leiner Czechoslovak Baptist Women s Union organized Založen Odbor sester National Baptist Young People s Union organized on November 18, listopadu 1923 založen Národní odbor baptistické mládeže National Baptist Young People s Union of America The National Baptist Young People s Union was organized on November 18, Rev. G. M. Hadraba was the first president. On July 5, 1924, the first young people s convention presented its program in Cleveland, Ohio. At the Convention a constitution and the name, The Czechoslovak Baptist Young People s Union of America were adopted. The motto was, Jesus Christ needs the young people, and the young people need Jesus Christ; the church needs young people and the young people need church. The Young People s Union was divided into four geographical districts: Western (Chicago and vicinity), Central (Cleveland and vicinity), Eastern (Richmond, New York and vicinity), and Northern (Minneapolis and vicinity). The literary organ of this group was Convention Flashes, started in 1939, later (1941) called Our Task. The last record about the Young People s Union is from Daniel Chipka was the president at that time. Natasha Laurinc th CLEVELAND, OH Rev. Josef Vaněk, Rev. J.J. Pavelda, Rev. Edward Čatloš, F. Leiner Shelter UTULNA for elderly suggested by V. Hlad; accepted Návrh V. Hlada na ÚTULNU pro přestárlé; přijaté 20 Vol 37 N o 3, 11 History of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada