Digital Scholarship and Initiatives

Detailed, interestingly written biographical sketch of the Rev. Michael Cummings, who (as of this writing) had just become president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. He had served as first vice president since 1997. The prior president, Mac Brunson, left the position to become pastor of a church in Texas. Cummings worked for 19 years as pastor of two Robeson County churches, then—since 1998—as director of missions for the 65-church Burnt Swamp Baptist Association, the state's largest organization of Native American Baptists. The article discusses Cummings' family background as one of twelve children in a farm family, the discrimination he has suffered as a Lumbee (leading him to become an advocate of inclusion), characteristics of the state's Native American Baptists, and challenges Cummings will face as president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.