[Baptist Convention Leader Welcomes Diversity

[Baptist :1.convention,~ 1I ----""'f - • leader welcomes diversity

By JOHN RAILa Ihe slale' s black Baplisls , for ed mainly in soulheaslern North ship stylc includes clapping, rais- oppression American Indians the power-sharing plan - and focus IIeIb GenmlIIews Senice 'example, belong 10 Ihe General Caroli na. The associalion is coming hands in the air and shouting, endured. "Our only hope was Ihe on minorities. Baptisl State Convenlion of North posed of American Indians from they say. Bible as the inerranl word," Cummings hopes 10 be especially PEMBROKE - The Rev. Carolina. the Lumbee, Coharie. Waccamaw In Robeson Counly, American Locklear saJd. effective at bringing more American Mite_Cummiillls grew up ina Cummings, however, Ihiliks Siouan. Haliwa-Saponi and Tus- Indian minislers say. American Cummings became president al Indians to the convention. Currently, cDu-nly w h-ere he and all other his own elhnieilY will help. hi carora Iribes. Indian. while and bl ack churches a meeting in Asheboro May 19. Ihe Burnt Swamp Association com- American Indians were segregat Ihink the focus on me as a minori The 118-year-old group is Ihe remain largely segrcgaled. Members of Ihe Burnt Swamp prises almosl all of Ihe convention's ed from whites by law and often Iy makes a powerful Slalement 10 stale convention'S only elhnic And Ihe issues their rural Associalion slOod by his side. Indian members; few of Ihe Chero separaled from blacks by choice. olher people of minority back asso cialion: mosl of Ihe olher churches lackle are different as "This lakes Ihem to anolher kees in weSlern North Carolina or BUI in Ihe relalively short span grounds," said Cummings, a lall, associalions arc geographically- well, the American Indian minis- level of involvemenl and a level American Indians from olher areas of his 49 years, Ihe color lines gray-haired man easy wilh smiles based. Indians founded Ihe asso- lers say. For example. many of of acceptance. I applaud Ihal." of Ihe SlalC are members. There are have fallen. His Robeson Counly and words. eiation as a refuge in days of their churches arc poorer Ihan said Ihe Rev. Mark CarIS of Cav- jusl over 80.000 American Indians horne has changed and so has Ihe He grew up one of 12 children oppression and segregalion , while churches, and their minis· airy Baptist Church in Winston- in the Slale, Cummings said. resl of Ihe world, a facI made jusl oUlside Pembroke. in a small CUlllnings said. lees lead congregalions Ihaltackle Salem. He is a while conserva- Many of those American Indians clear Ihis month as Cummings frame house surrounded .by Ihe Now. he said, the associalion', suslenance issues such as pUlling tive. are unchurched, C ummings said. became the firsl minority 10 head fields of lobacco. corn and calion major mission focus is evangeliz- food on Ihe lable and the need for The American Indians wan I And more imporlanl Ihan drawing Ihe Baptist State Convention of Ihal his falher farmed. His parents ing to American Indians beyond good jobs. more of Iheir elhnic group to them 10 the convention, 11e said, is North Carolina, a predominantly were Baplis!. a denominalion Ihat North Carolina. Association " While Ihere are many Indian serve on convention commillees. leading them 10 Chris!. while organization of 1.2 million had been slrong among arca Indi members have conducled mission people here wilh professional and on its general board. Only a He said some North Carolina members. ans since missionaries broughl il Irips 10 American Indian reserva- degrees and while- collar employ- handful do so now. "There' s a Indians have lalely been saying Some Baptist Indians say thaI 10 them in Ihe 1870s. Al 12 , Cum lions in Oklahoma, South Dakola. men!. wc have far more who need for us 10 have more people whal Indians in Ihe American West Cummings' rise means they ' re mings made his own commitmcnl North Dakola and New Mexico. struggle al or below poverty on commillees, bUI Ihere's also a have long said: Ihal Christianity finally gelling the recognilion and 10 Chrisl and was baplized in Ihe As Cummings served Ihe asso- income levels," Cummings said. • need for our churches and our erodes Ihe Indian cullure. power Ihey've long deserved. LumbCf River. ciation. he slayed aCli ve in Ihe The American Ifldian churches folks 10 recognize Ihal Ihey ha'l' e ' BUI Ihal' s 'nol true, Cumminis "This is a new day for us," said Th~ s:hurcJt~s . ~ c rc segre&'!lI~d Slate convention. serving on com- . ./I isu slruggle wilh problems of Ihese opponu".iics," LocHe'ar saidJ,"We jusI'don'l see aconnict the Rev. Tony'Brewington of then, 'as were-- Ihe-businesscs and millees and ils general bo·ard. ...atrug abuse and leen-age prcgnan- said. ' with being a Christian and being an Robeson County, a Baplisl Indi schools. As ' lhe color barriers The convention's Indians didcies. The Lumbees arc fighting to Still. Cummings nOled Ihal Indian," an. began 10 fall in Ihe 1960s, Cum nOI achieve full membership and get federal recognilion as a Iribe, American Indians comprise only While he grew up wilh few Lum Cummings, a Lumbee Indian mings, at Ihe urging of his mOlh vOling righls until Ihe 19505. which would enlille Ihem 10 fed- aboul I percent of Ihe conven- bee Iradilions, he said, those Iradi and the former first vice president er, wenl to a while high school , Brewinglon said. "AI Ihal lime eral funds for basics such as edu- lion's members. tions are making a comeback. and of the convention, became presi Red Springs High, for Ihe beller Ihere were people from this area calion and heallh care. The presidential lerm he is he's glad. "I never drummed and I denl this month after the Re v. educalion she felt il would offer. who were in leadership roles in Bul Ihe American Indian min serving expires in November, never learned Ihe dance, bUI my Mac Brunson of High Poinl He didn'l endure any racial the eonvenlion who opposed our iSlers say Ihey find comlllon when Ihe convenlion holds ils children do." resigned the posl 10 take a Texas epilhels, he said , ~lth~ .ugh his membership. The racial lension. ground with while Baplisls on annu.al mceling in WinSlon- Cummings.. said he wants 10 job. He promises to conlinue one while classmales didn ' t invite Ihe racial prej udice was very emphasizing Ihe basics of evangc- Salem. As Ihe firsl vice presidenl, evangelize to other minorities, such of Brunson's pet projects: a plan him 10 do anylhing oUl s ide of slrong Ihen," he said. lism, missions and Christian edu convention bylaws 'meanl he auto- as Hispanics and blacks, and bring Ihal would have Ihe convenlion's school. BUI Ihal may have been ,Even Ihough Ihey were full cation. malicallY assumed Ihe president's Ihem 10 the convention as well - jusl moderales and conservali ves parlially his fault, he said. members, Cummings and his And in a convenlion where spot when il was vacaled. BUI as while missionaries once drew his share power in a lasl-dilch efforl " A 101 of Ihe hurdle I had 10 American Indian friends describe moderales and eonservalives have Cummings' supporlers say he'd forbears. 10 end infighling that has splil overcome was sort of a personal an uneasy process of finding their often ballled, Ihe American Indi have a good chance in winning an "We were Ihe first mission field, convenlions in OIher slates. Sup one. Whal discriminalion does, il place in the convenlion. an membcrs have gained strenglh election for the presidency. and and now we're part of Ihe learn porters say Cummings, a Ibeolog makes you dislrustful o( people. " I don't think iI'S ever been a as conservalives have achieved hope be'li run. Ihat's doing the evangelizing. And ical conservative and polilical I ib II look a 101 of jusl personal work verbal Ihing. It's just been an power in Ihe convention. Cummings said he will decide thaI seems 10 be full circle." eral, may be just Ihe man 10 carry . 10 be open. invisible line. We probably have While many of Ihe conven this summer if he will seek election fell like we couldn' l fit in because tion' s American Indian mcmbers out the plan. "Indians have been a preju to anOlher one-year lerm. John Railey is a staff writer for of the numbers," said Ihe Rev. are polilical liberals in Iheir fighl And as a minorily whose job is diced people Ihemsel ves. " In the inlerim, he said, he'll push the Winston-Satem Journal. \ \ working wilh various Indian Brewinglon .agreed, saying Ihat Bruce Swell of Robeson County. for an equal .power share in the lribes in soulheaslern North Car American Indians in Robeson And Iheir churches a re very secular world, they are Iheologi olina, Ihey say, he brings a certain County segregated Ihemselves different from while Baplisl ones. cally conservalive. They say that expertise 10 Ihe lable. " He can from blacks. Indian ministers say. Their wor- con-servalism is rooted in Ihe lake diversilY and bring il togeth Cummings made while friends. er," said Ihe Rev. Larry Locklear, His while classmates even vOled ------~ an American Indian minisler who him besl-all- around sludenl his serves in Robeson Counly. senior year. Cummings' slory is one of a Cummings decided On the min- , quiel drive, during which he and iSlry al 19. After whal was Ihen some of the olher 11 ;000 Ameri Camp~_c:!1 College and S ~!heas !:: . can Indians in Ihe eonvenlion ern E{aplist T-heological Semil].;!ry, have worked hard 10 build a he served New Bethel Baptisl power base and find common Church in Clinlon, Ihen Mount ground wilh while Baplisls, Airy Baplisl Church in Pembroke. whose concerns have oflen been He and his wife, Quae - a far different from Iheir own. BU,I Coharie Indian - began raising as much as Robeson Counly and Iheir family of two boys and a Ihe resl of Ihe world have girl. changed in his lifetime, Cum In 1988, Cummings became mings is nol yel satis fi ed : He Ihe direclor of missions for Ihe wanls 10 ease Ihe way for more Burnl Swamp Association, a job minorilies to join the convenlion. he' still holds. The associalion is a In Ihal field , Ihe convenlion Pembrokc-based group of 65 faces slrong eompelition. Mosl of American Indian churches. local Staff pIIoto by Ed WIcaII The Rev. __Mlke CUmmings. director of mi. slons for the Burnt wamp Baptist Association, was elected first vice presi dent at the Baptist State Convention of N.C. earlier thl. w..k. Minister sees new position as a calling UWlax Religion editor PEMBROKE - The Rev. Mike Cummings' ministry expanded this week. Cummings, the director of missions for the Bumt Swamp Baptist Association in Pembroke, was elected fll'St vice president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. Cummings' position with the local association invPlves him in the work of 61 cQurches and two __8111 . iaehidiB, American-'lndian-tribes such as the Coharie in Sampson County, Waccamaw Siouan in Columbus County, Haliwa Saponi of Warren and Halifax counties and the Tuscarora and Lumbee in Robeson County. His election during the convention in Wmston-Salem means he will have an even greater involvement in the lives of Baptists throughout the state. Please see CUMMINGS. page~ ~,------~~~------~ . Cummings Continued from lA He describes himselfas a conserva It is that love for home, along with tive, ''but not the kind who is nit-picky his call to the ministIy, that motivates and has to do everything my way. r m Cummings.A graduare of Red Springs not hard to get along with, I try to be High School, he says ''the town ofRed open to what other people say." Springs was good to me." It is an attitude that Cummings As a ' 19-year-old student at believes will help him to be an asset to Campbell College, he was called to North Carolina Baptists, who have pastor New Bethel Baptist Church in experienced difficulties over diverse Sampson County. After serving a nine opinions in recent years. year pastorate at New Bethel, His experience in the local awx:ia Cummings came home to pastor Ml tion is something he hopes to draw Airy Baptist Church on N.C. 72. from as he serves in his new office. He has fond memories of the two "We're in nine counties, we have churches, which he served before tak one church in Baltimore and one in ing his position with the association in South Carolina," he says of the associ 1988. ation. ' ~ is a uniqueness and '~y were just the sweetest peo diversity here and that may be a plus, pie," he says. "Most preachers only get because I am willing to struggle to one in a career, but I got two." bring a sense ofcommunity among the In his work with the association, Baptists." Cummings has seen the group's focus Seeking the office was not one of change. Cummings' goals. ''We had a dream of becoming a "Running for first vice president mission force," he says. "We not only was not in my wildest imagination," he do ministry among us, but we go other says. places. In the .. 12 years, we have Several months ago, he says, a col been involved in work in to states." league phoned him, saying he thought His insight as an American Indian, Cwnmings should seek the vice presi as weD as his background as a director

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: (,~. ," - • . ' I I' : haJ'!ll0~Y .~ith God'~ purpose for all, , . i mamtammg commitment to every '. ~ ,~ . t i. .institution and agency through with , ~ , ', I. Baptists touch people's lives for , ,,:: • . Christ. His J~adci'ship, o.the Baptist ' ...... , ' . . I ,' ''' I f ;/ -"l.. ' ."i . ~ ~ . ,., ;:. . State Conventionwmbring~ultural . ~. , ; . , awarenefsand re~resentat~onthat.~i11 .>. ~ - ~_ help the Convention remam sensitive ." G 'i , to the ri~h ~i~ersity of the Baptist '. '.;'" ,', family and the'communityof'North ,; .....4:' . Carolina.: Other Services to.the Bap , : ~ ~ J ~ ' " tist State Convention irtcludes the fol ; .' lowing: ' Genetal Board' member, I Council on Christian Social Services, , Baptist State Convention Committee , i ' ,' on Committees, Campbell University \ j , Board of Ministers, and Nominating .' 1 i Committee Chainnan for NCDirec- . . • ,,. tors of M ~ssions Conference. His , ,I',.1 other memberships include the Lum- . I , \ . . berton Correctional Institution Com- . . I . :-. , .', t', 1 " , ' .' . , 4 II.mnII/lJcJ.... ( ; munity Resou.rce Council. Robeson ' . n. ,.'.Rn.1Mlchael ... . County Churth and Community Cen : :Rev. Michael ·Cummhtgs ~s : "New Bethel istChurch tnClmton, ter Board, the North Carolina School .'raised in the S1. Annah communi~y . NC from I '. ; Pastor, Mt. AirY '. of Science and Mathematics' Board, '.' his parents the late Foy Cumrifin·gs..'r Baptist Church in Pembroke, NC frqm Chaplain' for ' Pemberton Hospice, and the late lfildith "Bloss" Cum- 1978- I988. In 1983 he was employed Carolina Bible College Board, and mings. He received Christ as a youth, ,'in his curn;nt position as the Directpr the Southern Baptist Native Ameri · was then baptized~ I,icensed and or- of ~issions ~or. the Burnt Sw~mp . can Fellowship. dained to gospel mmlstry through the Baptist Assocr,.tlon. Ot~er servlqes Rev. Cummings is married to Quae ·Bear Swamp Baptist Church of Pern- to the Burnt Swamp BaptIst Assocla- · S. Cummings who serves as the Burnt br,oke, NC and is ~urre .ntly a member tion in~'ludes Mod~rat~ ,r:. 'Nom;n~t;ng Swamp Association Secretary. They th~re. Rev. CA~l\'u~gs·sradua!ed from . twnnuttee, Constlt.ution Commltt,e. have two~~tJodyl Who'!s attending · C*",~be" C~.U,F ' I n.+w?~ w!th a .de- . : ' ~rl1lry Exu:nsi~.irector, Mis- . Columbi""",tr,tawSclteufrlltld :., · gree m English. ·In addition, he IS a sruns~Comniitte~ 'and Program . Jason whoai\ends f~C State Univer • '. I, 97: gra~ua~e ,!~m S.outhe~tem~ap-. .. Committee.Re'v. Cummings serves:as . sity. Jessica, their daughter is in el . tlSt 1 h~OI?~ICal ~mmary. K.ev. Cum- ~ ~ the Vice President of the NC Baptist ementary sC , h~~1. , • !ll~ngs mmlstry career ha~ been sp~nt " \State <;onvention. He is the first and \ ' ;\' . I~ ; the B~mt Swamp Ba~tlst ASSOCI~- , •.only Lumbee elected to this position; ,. ·hon. .HIS church vocatl~nal experJ- , It is his dream as Vice Pr..esident to see . en;~e ,mcl ,~de$ the fo!low!n.g:!~st()~. . North ~arolina Baptisr§ workjng ,in . . ' .. ~ ' ,-. . \ . . .. 4A Thursday. November 13. 1997 THE ROBESONIAN ~jtJl. . JWl Cummings' election is good news Being elected to a leadership of the callers. "Praise the Lord," position in a statewide organiza she said. "This is great news. tion is quite an accomplishment, [The] Rev. Cummings will serve but when the post is with an the convention well." organiation as prestigious as Further good news for the the North Carolina State Baptist area is that the Rev. David Association, it is indeed quite an Crocker of Fayetteville was honor. elected the association's second The Rev. Mike Cununings, vice president. missions mrector of the Burnt The Rev. Mac Brunson, pas Swamp Baptist Association at tor of the Green Street Baptist Pembroke, was so honored when Church in High Point. was elect he was elected first vice presi ed president. dent of the convention on Mr. Brunson gave an indica Tuesday. tion of the direction he will take ,The Burnt Swamp in leading the state's Baptists Association is a nonprofit orga when he said the denomination nization that serves 60 predomi must spend less time contem ~Jy American Indian churches plating its own divisions and in nine counties. more time conununicating with Whatever joy Mr. Cummings young people. might have felt after his election It would be good to have the was certainly shared by those moderates and conservatives end who know him. The Robesonian their squabbling over how to get received numerous phone calls the message out and let the con Wednesday telling us the good vention go about the task of just news of his election in Winston spreading the word. Salem. Tfhe reaction of Elizabeth We wish the new leadership Jacobs, who works with the well, especially Mr. Cummings, Burnt Swamp Association, in the endeavors to lead the sunUned up the feelings of most state's Baptists. H GUf'PING SERVICE 1115 HILLSBORO RALEIGH, NC 27603 ~~ "" "">""'".

OBSERVER TIMES FAYE11&VILI.I, tt a.

NOV 18 9 7 rill BAPTIST LEADERS Cummings, Crocker typify hopeful new togetherness they certainly seem to be more interested in affirming their denomination's togetherness Too thunder and lightning caused by than in fighting over who is what. rubbing the terms "moderate" and "co~r Cummings says church politics isn't his vative" against each other have crackled bag. He told Observer-Times staffer Earl over Baptists in North Carolina for several Vaughan that he will bring to his leadership years. at the state level his continuing goal in his But the terms seem to lose their edge, full-time job. "This business of creating a perhaps even their meaning, when you con sense of community is at the heart of what I sider the two preachers from the Cape Fear do," he said. region elected to top jobs by the Baptist Crocker is even more intimatelyjnvolved State Convention last week. in community-building within the dehomina The Rev Mjke Cum _gs, ...director of tion. He was a member of a "committee of missions for the 61 churches of the Burnt 20" that brought moderates and conser"a Swamp Baptist Association, a 'mostly Lum tives together to agree to stop speaking only , bee Indian flock, is first vice president of the . in epithets to each other. He, too, emphasizes convention. He is rated a "conservative." reconciliation over rhetoric. The Rev. David Crocker of Fayetteville's Baptists have often seemed to have a hard Snyder Memorial Baptist Church is rated a time practicing tolerance among their own "moderate," and he was elected second vice kind. But the election of Cummings and president. Crocker is a hopeful sign that the state's \. nn.~l>mmings and Crocker may be from op - largest denomination is ready to pursue a ~ . sides of the ratings terminology. But little peace in its household. ~ihbee to be first minority to lea ever miss a beat. Mike's extremely capa. the real world. We've had minorlUes il It ...... , ble," BruD80n said~. Brunson the vice president's offices but never il JQtJRtW. REPORTBI said he will resign the presidency at the the presidency." '.Pembroke When the president ofthe Baptist State convention's general board meeting in Cummings said, "I'm sensing tha minister Convention of North Carolina n9gns this Asheboro on May 18. By convention by North Carolina Baptists are really gnnv month to lead one of the countly'll largest laws, the convention's first vice president ing toward being committed to recogniz will take Southern Baptist churches, a minority fII1s the president's unexpired term in ing the cultural wideness." will for the first time take the conven- such a situation. Cummings is the direc Cummings, 49, Is a graduate of Camp over for tion's hebn. tor of missions for the Burnt Swamp Bap- bell College, nowcalled Campbell UniveJ The Rev. Mike ~ .r Pern- tist Association in Pembroke, a group of sity, and Southeastern Baptist Theologi the Rev. Mac broke. a Cumbee tnailtheconvep::-... Baptist churches of various American In cal Seminary in Wake Forest. He is : • tion's first vice president, will fiish the dian tribes mainly in southeastern North conservative. term of the Rev. Mac Brunson d Green Carolina. He will asswne leadership of a So is Brunson, who is 41 and in hi Street Baptist Church in High POOt, who predominantly white convention. second, one-year term as the conventiol accepted a call Sunday night to~me R.G Puckett, an editor emeritus of the president. That term would have expire IIC1oLIoo:JI, Texas, the senior pastor at First BaptislPhurch convention newspaper, the Biblical Re at the convention's annual meeting il of DaI1as in Texas. corder, said that Cummings' ascension is Wmston-Salem in November. church "I don't think it (the conven n) will a historic one. "It's 8OrtofBaptists facing Cummings, who will be eligible to rw minority to lead N.C. Baptists

Wke's extremely cap& the real world. We've had minorities in for the presidency in the fall, said he has id yesterday. Brunson the vice president's oflices but never in yet to decide whether he will. He has no I the presidency at the the presidency." special plans for the convention, he said,

!ral board meeting in Cummings said, "I'm sensing that other than to carry on the work of Brun . 18. By corwention by North Carolina Baptists are reaDy srow son and others in building bridges be '.". I>n's first vice president ing toward being committed to rec0gniz tween moderates and conservatives. t's unexpired term in ing the cultural wideness." Brunson said that his last day at Green Jummings is the direc Cummings, 49, is a graduate of Camp Street Baptist will be May 23. He said he the Burnt Swamp Bap bell College, now called Campbell Univer plans to begin work in early July at First Pembroke, a group of sity, and Southeastern Baptist TheolOgi Baptist, which has about 12,000 mem )f various American In cal Seminary in Wake Forest. He is a bers. t ~ ,in southeastern North conservative. Brunson has earned a reputation here UlSUIDe leadership of a So is Brunson, who is 41 and in his as a bridge builder between moderates lite corwentWn. second, one-year term as the corwention and conservatives, and has worked with , editor emeritus of the president. That term would have expired others on a plan in which the two groups .J~~ aper, the Biblical Re at the convention's annual meeting in would share power in the convention. REV. MAC BRUNSON: :ummings' ascension is Wmston-Salem in November. He will resign 88 the can s sort ofBaptists facing Cummings, who will be eHgible to run S. c.vEIIIIOII, ..... 13 vention'. leader May 18. AL Tuesday, May 11, 1999 PAGE 83

CONVENTION CoRIiaIIetI F,... Pal' Bl

"He's had a real heart for it, to the point he has probably been viewed skeptically by some con servatives, who maybe worried that he had got ten soft," said the Rev. David Hughes of First Baptist Church on Fifth Street in Winston-Salem. Hughes is a moderate. In Texas, moderates and conservative have plit into two conventions. "Ifs a lot more volatile out here. It is pretty hot," Brunson said. "But like I told the church, I'm not coming out here to save this convention, I'm coming out here to pastor this church." The Rev. Mark Corts of Cavalry Baptist Church in Winston-Salem said he gave Brunson a good recommendation when members of the Dallas church asked. "There's no que tion in my mind that Mac is a Southern Baptist Conv ntion man. And that church, of course, is known as a conser vative church. "But it's also a church at wants to put minlS try and mission ahead of just politics. They want a leader." Before the First Baptist congregation called him Sunday, Brunson preached two trial ser mons. In each sermon, he dealt with unity. "There's just not going to be that division and bickering in the church," he said he told the congregation. FirsL Baptist is a downtown church facing competition from growing suburban churches. Its senior pastor emeritus, the Rev. W.A. Cris well, continues to cast a long shadow at the church. Brunson will become the church's third leader this decade.

BRUNSON, A GRADUATE of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, has been at Green Street Baptist since 1992. The church's member ship has grown to about 3,600 during that time. "Our hearts just break to leave Green Street," Brunson said. "But I don't feel like I had a choice. I feel like it's just where God wants me to be." Tom Inman, the chairman of deacons at Green Street Baptist, said that his church will form a search committee to look for Brunson's replace ment. "Of course, everyone is sad that he is leaving, because he is such a tremendous pastor. But at the same time, we can understand God's call, really, on him and his ministry, and under stand the ability he'll have to to reach a much greater audience through the ministries of First Dallas." . ". :z" New Baptist presiden • The Rev. Mike Cummings, the Point minister who is leaving the con "Let us celebrate the fac vention to become senior pastor at First first minority to head the Baptist Baptist Church of Dallas. we're not hiding behind State Convention, says he wants to The ceremony took place at Caraway from you anymore. For Conference Center, where the conven years, we've run from ~ unite the state's largest denomina~ tion's llO-member General Board was tion. meeting. But in Christ, we've COli Cummings, who had been the conven understand that we are t By MARGARET MoFFETI' BANKS tion's first vice president, will serve as lutely, eternally relate, SUlfi Writer acting president until the denomina tion's annual convention in November. ASHEBORO - With members of his He's pastor of the Burnt Swamp Baptist The Rev. Mike Cumming. ative American Baptist association by Association in Lumberton, an associa Baptist leader. Lumbee Indl 's side, the Rev. Mike Cummings took tion of 6S Native American Baptist 's place in history Wednesday when he churches. speech Wednesday that he is co came the Baptist State Convention's With 1.2 million members and 3,800 to a plan to give moderates and st president from a minority race. churches, the Baptist State Convention vatives shared control of the cor Cummings, a Lum bee Indian, is the state's largest denomination. He wasted no time extending placed the Rev. Mac Brunson, a High Cummings, a.---- conservative, said in a to moderates. He told board n • t wants unification I ~ that that the Burnt Swamp Association is quite conservative. Many members of ~rees the five tribal groups who make up the 500 association frown on female preachers and deacons. But he added: "I hope that is not offensive to you, for whoever you are is not offensive to us," he said. The Baptist State Convention, he said, is taking on the complexion of the state, with its growing Hispanic and Korean populations. Cummings also made note of his American Indian heritage and the irony of his rise to the presidency. "Let us celebrate the fact that we're not hiding behind trees from you any- NELSON KlPLEYlNcws t1 Record m~re ," said Cummings, flanked by his The Rev. Mike Cummlap (left, ... his wife, Que, Wi fe and 10 members of the Burnt talk wltll the Rev. Mac Bruns• .ad Bruns.... ~ _TISI, Page B~, DebbIe, Wed• .., In Asheboro. tions within the convention. Convention delegates will vote on ) the plan in November. BAPTIST Brunson also joked about his Continued from page B1 high-profile move to Dallas, which drew much media attention here Swamp Baptist Association. "For and in Texas. He read a top 10 list SOO years, we've run from you. But that dispelled myths about his job. , in Christ, we've come to under For the record, he said he won't stand that we are absolutely, eter live in a mansion, get tickets to nally related." Cowboys games or own a private Before he passed the gavel to jet. And he said he's not making Cummings, Brunson called Cum ..anything close" to the 5300,000 mings a "native son" of the state, salary he was rumored to be and said he was proud to turn over offered. the presidency to someone of Cum But there is a secret panel in the mings' stature and integrity. pastor's study, he said. Brunson said that the sun is ris Brunson will preach his last ser ing on North Carolina Baptists mon at High Point's Green Street because of a plan that would let Baptist on Sunday. He'll begin his moderate and conservative factions new post in Dallas sometime in take turns holding key elected posi July. 1------, , 1115 HILLS BORO IJ. RALEIGH. NC 27603 V' TEL (919) 833-2079

(New1i3PiW leader an inspiration to his people

By YONAT SHIMRON left to lead another church in Texas. STAFF WRITER For Indians who know their history PEMBROKE - It's hard for the Rev. and remember their second-class sta Michael Cummings to eat a quiet lunch tus with the-state convention between these days. When he walks 1929 and 1965, it's a sweet into an Lumbee-owned moment. Christianity, and restaurant to eat a meal of specifically the Baptist fried chicken, collards and TAR HEEL church, has been a central corn bread, he's treated like part of many Indian lives for a celebrity and inundated OF THE as long as they can remem with well- wishers. WEEK ber. Now, they feel, their "Congratulations!" cries devotion is finally being rec one woman, rushing for ognized. ward to shake his hand. Cummings, who has served as first "We're so proud of you," bellows vice president since 1997, is a particu another. larly beloved native son. An easy-going, You'd think Cummings just won an thoughtful man with a gracious smile, Oscar. But this Lumbee Indian has he evokes intense pride among Indians just become the president of the and doesn't want to disappoint. Michael Cummings, with his wife of 27 years, Quae, still Baptist State Convention of North visits the farm where he and his 11 siblings grew up. STAff PHOTO BY COREY LOWENSTEIN Carolina, replacing Mac Brunson, who SEE TAR HEELPAGF.&.. . <.:....J./ SUNDAY. MAy 30, 199} From Page One 51 -v they're physically apart from us. TAR HEEL The Rev. Michael Cummings he said. ''And I learned how hungr rClNTlNUED FROM PAGE 1B they are to feel included." Date of birth: Nov. 1 4, 1 949 The association he leads toda Indians and he doesn't want to dis Occupation: Missions director, Burnt Swamp Baptist Association, runs a food pantry, operates a sun appoint. Pembroke. mer camp, maintains a prison mil "For hundreds of years we were istry and offers continuing edUCe viewed as a people that needed EdlKCltional background: Graduated from Campbell College in tion classes for ministers. It is th somebody to help them," said 1974 and Southeastern Ba ptist Theological Sem inary in 1977. single most important institutio Cummings, 49, director of the Burnt Family: Wife, Quae Simmons; sons, Jody, a senior at Columbia governing the lives of the state ' Swamp Baptist Association, the University Law School; Jason, a senior at N.C. State University; Baptist Indians. Ris also one th largest organization in the life of the and doughter, Jessica, a seventh-grader. oldest, established in 1877, 10 yem state's Baptist Indians. Work background: Pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church in Clinton, before the first state-funded India "Missionaries were sent to us and 1969-1 978i pastor of Mount Airy Baptist Church in Pembroke, school was created. we sensed paternalism in that. But Behind the modern, neo-Coloni. we've grown in our view of taking 1978-1 988; director of M issions Bu rnt Swamp Association, association building stands a gra responsibility. If anybody is going 1988-today. clapboard structure, the old Bun to take responsibility for Indians, Memberships: Lumberton Corredional lnstitution Community Swamp Baptist Church. It is now it's Indians." Resource Council; board member, North Carolina School of museum and it houses pictures, Ie As president of the 1.2 million Science and Math; chaplain, Pemberton Hospice. ters and books documenting th member state convention, North Church membership: Bear Swamp Baptist in Pembroke. early life of the community. Carolina's largest religious group, Cummings' new role as presidel he faces some difficult challenges. of the Baptist State Convention wi In November, representatives from likely be recorded there as a wate local churches will vote on an the Coharie tribe. They felt disen became director for the association, shed event. unprecedented shared-leadership franchised from the association of a group of 65 churches in nine coun "We just needed the door to b Indian churches in Pembroke 70 ties representing six tribal groups, plan in which conservatives and opened," said the Rev. Larr miles away. It fell to Cummings to moderates take turns running the he de cided to be deliberately Lochlear, pastor of Island Grov convention. Cummings' future may make them feel a part ofthe larger diverse. Members of various tribes . Baptist Church in Pembrokl fall or rise on the plan, which he Indian community. serve on different committees with "Other opportunities will come." It helped that Cummings married in the association supports and says he will criss cross the state to endorse. a Coharie, Quae Simmons. But the "I really became aware of how Having personally suffered the experience also taught him a les sensitive people can be because Yonat Shimran can be reac," son. Ten years later, when be they're not a majority or because at 829-4891 or [email protected] slings and arrows of discrimination, Cummings says, his life has pre pared him to champion inclusion. pared hIm to champlOlI l1ICIUSIOIJ. He remembers when Robeson County, home to some 40,000 Lumbees, had separate water foun tains for blacks, whites and Indians. Until 1964, he was denied admit tance to white schools, not to men tion restaurants, department stores and barber shops. And he knows what it's like to be the only Indian face in a classroom of students. But Cummings, who has spent 19 years as a pastor, is not the type to protest at civil rights rallies or march on Congress: He is politically moderate and theologically con servative. Born the eighth of 12 children on a 20-acre farm three miles from his office, Cummings grew up learning home-grown values of hard work and sacrifice. From the time he was born, he shared a bed with two brothers. From the time he was a teen, his parents relied on him to help milk the cows, feed the mules, chop the wood and harvest the tobacco. "My daddy taught me about fam ily and responsibility for the house hold," Cummings said. "That's what he passed down to me." Church occupied a central role in Cummings' life and in the life of the community. Time not spent labor ing in the fields was spent at church. The message heard there was intensely emotional and tradi tionaUy Christian. Today, most American Indian churches would be considered con servative. In the association of churches Cummings heads, there are no women pastors and no women deacons. Only one pastor is getting divorced, and pastors who have remarried would not be wel come. "We're very biblicaUy literate, but we're not a highly educated church," Cummings said. "We don't teach from the perspective of the seminaries, which has been, for the most part, moderate. We're very traditional in how we do church." Unlike the majority of Indian pas tors who are not seminary trained, Cummings completed a Master of Divinity degree at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest. And he has enjoyed the luxury of being a pastor full time. About 80 percent of Indian pastors hold down a day job while preaching on the weekends. From the time he was voted "best all-around person" in his senior yearbook, Cummings was groomed for leadership. Members of his first church, New Bethel Baptist in Clinton, were of CLIPPING SERVICE 1115 HILLSBORO RALEIGH, He 27603 ~ TEL (919) 833-2079 Pio JOURNAL WlNlTqM'WIM, N~ " W~~~ M.~Y'{,j 0 9 9

~ctl Som~

• Many

believe new \'I president can ~

unify Baptist Co State h IT Convention, fi brmg in ~ minority m members ~~ B · II Baptists see new daj/ ...... , vice president of the convention, became president NAI. REPORTER this month after the Rev. Mac Brunson of High Point PEMBROKE resigned to take ajob in Texas. Cummings promises e Rev. Mike Cummings grew up in a place to contiuue one ofBrunson's pet projects: a plan that ere he and the other American Indians were seg would have the convention's moderates and conser from whites by law and often separated from vatives share power in a last-ditch effort to end ks by choice. infighting that has split conventions in other states. But in the relatively short span of his 49 years, the Supporters say thatCummings, a theological conser or lines have fallen - or at least subsided- in his vative and political liberal, may be just the man to me of Robeson County and elsewhere. That was carry out the plan. de clear this month when Cummings became the And as a member of a minority whose job is minority to head the Baptist State Convention of working with various Indian tribes in southeastern rth Carolina, a mostly white organization of North Carolina, they say, Cummings brings a certain million members. expertise to the table. "He can take diversity and Some Baptist American Indians say that Cum bring it together," said the Rev. Larry Locklear, a , rise means that they are finally getting the minister who serves in Robeson County. gnition and power they have long deserved. Cummings' story is one of a quiet drive, during his is a new day for us," said the Rev. Tony wlUch he and some of the other 11,000 American ewington of Robeson County, a Baptist American m-'m~convenuo::-=u: ~ Cummings, a Lumbee Indian and the-- former fIrst THE STATE

are many Indian people here with professional degrees and white-collar employment, we have far more who BAPTIST LEADER struggle at or below poverty income levels," Cum c:ontB.ed F.. ,.,. 11 mings said. But the American Indian ministers say they fmd a power base and find common ground with white common ground with white Baptists on emphasizing Baptists, whose concerns have often been different the basics of evangelism, missions and Christian edu from their own. But as much as Robeson County and cation. And in a convention where moderates and the rest of the world have changed in his lifetime, conservatives have often battled, the American Indian Cummings is not yet satisfied: He wants to ease the members have gained strength as conservatives have way for more minorities to join the convention. achieved power in the convention. In that field, the convention faces strong competi Although many of the convention's American Indian tion. Most of the state's black Baptists, for example, members are political liberals in their fight for an equal belong to the General Baptist State Convention of power share in the secular world, they are theological North Carolina. Cummings, however, thinks his own ly conservative. They say that conservatism is rooted in ethnicity will help. "I think the focus on me as a the oppression American Indians endured. "Our only minority makes a powerful statement to other people hope was the Bible as the inerrant word," Locklear of minority backgrounds," said Cummings, a tall, gt-ay said. Cummings became president at a meeting in haired man easy with smiles and words. Asheboro on May 19. Members of the Burnt Swamp Cummings grew up one of 12 children just outside Association stood by his side. Pembroke, in a small frame house surrounded by the •'This takes them to another level ofinvolvement and fields of tobacco, com and cotton that his father a level of acceptance. I applaud that," said the Rev. farmed. His parents. were Baptist. Mark Corts of Cavalry Baptist Church in Wmston Salem. He is a white conservative. Cummings decided on the ministry at 19. After The American Indians want more .of their ethnic attending what was then Campbell College and South group to serve on convention committees, and on its eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, he served New general board. Only a handful do so n&w. "There's a Bethel Baptist Church in Clinton, then Mount Airy need for us to have more people on committees, but Baptist Church in Pembroke. He and his wife, Quae there's also a need for our churches and our' folks to a Coharie Indian, began raising their family of two recognize that they have these opportunities," Lock boys and a girl. lear said. Cummings said that American Indians make );988, Cummings became the director of s up about 1 percent of the convention's memoers. for the Burnt Swamp Association, which he still holds. His presidential term will expire in November, when The association is a group of 65 American Indian the convention holds its annual meeting in Wmston churches, including members from the Lumbee, Co Salem. Because he was the first vice president, conven harle, Waccamaw Siouan, Haliwa-Saponi and Tuscaro tion bylaws determined that he would automatically ra tribes. Indians founded the association as a refuge assume the president's spot when it was vacated. But in days of oppression and segregation, Cummings Cummings' supporters say he would have a good said. chance in an election for the presidency, and hope Now, he said, one of the association's major mission he'll run. focuses is evangelizing American Indians beyond Cummings said he will decide this summer whether North Carolina. Association members have conducted he will run for election to another one-year term. mission trips to American Indian reservations in Okla Cummings hopes to be especially effective at bring homa, South Dakota, North Dakota and New Mexico. ing more American Indians to the convention. The The convention's Indians did not achieve full mem Burnt Swamp Association comprises almost all of the bership and voting rights until the 1950s, Brewington convention's Indian members; few Cherokees in West said. "At that time there were people from this area ern North Carolina or American Indians from other who were in leadership roles in the convention who areas of the state are members. opposed our membership. The racial tension, the ra There are just more than 80,000 American Indians cial pr~udice was very strong then," he said. in the state, Cummings said. Many of those American Even though they were full members, Cummings Indians are unchurched, Cummings said. And more and his American Indian friends describe an uneasy important than drawing them to the convention, he process of rmding their place in the convention. said, is leading them to Christ. He said that some North "I don't think it's ever been a verbal thing. It's just Carolina Indians have been saying lately what Ameri been an invisible line. We probably have felt like we can Indians in the West have long said: that Christian couldn't fit in because of the numbers," said the Rev. ity erodes the Indian culture. But that's not true, Bruce Swett of Robeson County. Cummings said. "We just don't see a conflict with And their churches are very different from white being a Christian and being an Indian." Baptist ones, American Indian ministers say. Their Although he grew up with few Lumbee traditions, he worship style includes clapping, raising hands in the said, those traditions are making a comeback, and he's air and shouting, they say. glad. "I never drummed and I never learned the dance, In Robeson County, as elsewhere, American Indian, but my children do." white and black churches remain largely segregated. Cummings said he wants to evangelize to other And the issues their rural churches deal with are minorities, such as Hispanics and blacks, and bring different as well, the American Indian ministers say. them to the convention as well-just as white mission For example, many of their churches are poorer than aries once drew his forbears. white churches, and their ministers lead congregations "We were the first mission field, and now we're part that deal with sustenance issues such as putting food of the team that's doing the evangelizing. And that on the table and the need for good jobs. "While there seems to be full circle." CLIPPING SERV1CE 1115 HILLSBORO RALEIGH, NC 27603 ~ TEL (919) 833-2071.

NOV 15 97 .New Baptist fficiat' not.into the politics country preacher helped the Pem A Robeson preacher, only broke native win over the State the second Indian elected to Baptist Conventioo this week. Cummlllgs was elected first vice a church post, says president of North Carolina's larg compromise is an essential est denomination, a position he sought only because conservative part of his new role. friends in the state asked him to J'UD. a, brI V_lINIn Jr. • Church politici Is low on Cum Religion writet' t mings' list of priorities. His first concerns are family and the church Talking with the Rev. Mike - be- is director of missions for Cummings is like relaxing III a fa Burnt Swamp Baptist Association vorite chair or sliding Into a pair of in Pembroke. Staff photo by MIICU$ Castro comfortable shoes. It goes ~ck to his days as a In a matter of minutes, the lis boy, one of 12 brothers and sisters TIle .... Mark Cummlngl, director of missions tener is completely at ease. Before and the BOD or lllarecropper Foy for Bumt Swamp Baptist Association in Pembroke, long, CummiDp seems a. familiar Cummlap and hIa wife, Bilditb. oversees 61 churches and two mIS$Ions, most of a8 an old friend. Hia parents bad a band in rals ( them in Robeson County. He also Is now first vice 'lbe warm smile, the curly gray Baptist, ,-president for state Baptists. , , bair and the demeanor of a Iovine ~ pag~ 'Baptist. - From 'age 1A

ing not only their children but sev lenge. The church was larger and :3 en grandchildren. "I've got neph had a good deal more resources." changing for North Carolina Bap ews and nieces who are like broth But Cummings met the chal tists, and what was once a conten ers and sisters to me," he said. lenge and stayed there until 1988. tious relationship between moder Then came a new opportunity, di ates and conservatives is becoming That sense or family extended rector or missions for the Burnt more cooperative. into Cummings' participation in Swamp Baptist Association. "All of us are not necessarily church liCe. "I grew up in church The association oversees 61 argumentative and nit-picky pe0 an my liCe," he said. "Church in the churches and two missions, most or ple," Cummings said. Indian community was one activity them in Robeson County. outside or home and school you The churches are all Indian con Compromise could resort to for everything, rec gregations, but as Cummings Cummings said he's learned reation as wen as religious partici stressed, they are not aU Lumbees much about compromise and coop pation. Uke himself. eration working with the five tribes "To a great extent, it still is in a The tribes in the association in in the Burnt Swamp Association. rural community." clude Coharie, Waccamaw-Siouxan, "You haven't balanced anything Cummings was a teen-ager HaliwaoSaponi and Tusc~rora. until you keep in perspective five when he relt the call of God. In his :· . · . > :~:c~: "I loved church ministry," Cum different tribal groups," he said. second year at Campbell College, mings said. "The hardest thing for "We're in nine different counties, he began preaching at New Bethel me to do was understanding God's with churches in three different Baptist Church in Sampson County. call for me to come out here. states. "I thought the church took a risk "God just showed me a lot or "This business oC creating a with me," Cummings said. "I wu a things that helped me to under sense or community Is at the heart single boy struggling with the same stand the door was open for me, of what I do. With geographical feelings and temptations a 19-year and I really ought to come on in." expanse and tribal diversity you old boy struggled with. But they While Cummings enjoyed guid have to constantly work at a sense extended a call to me." ing association buslDeas, he never ~ community in my associaticm. He had to commute to and from considered himself an active par "I know you have to do tbat at school and church, but didn't have a ticipant in the politics or the State the state conventiOD." Staff graphic car. So the church bought him one. Baptist Convention. Cummlnp Is only the secODd In "They bad a chicken plate sale "I had not been active in conser dian elected to one or the top offic and raised $700," he said. Cum made up for my lack of wisdom." vative meetings or attending some es in the state convention. The first mings got a 1967 Chevelle. "It Just before his marriage, the of the functions, even though my was former Pembroke State Uni wasn't the souped-up kind," he said, church called him to serve full whole association would be more versity Chancellor Dr. English laughing. "Mine was the stripped time Cor $100 a week. 'lbe deacons doetrinaUy in line with a conserva Jones. down model" bought him a mobile home and set . tive view or the scripture," Cum During his coUege years, Cum it up on church property. , mings said. "Somebody asked me iC I was "Whatever our needs were, they just a token candidate," Cummings mings would spend weekends and He was surprised and gratified said. "The truth is, at this stage, I most or biB summer. living in the anticipated them," Cummings said when conservative friends in the homes of New Bethel members. ''When our first child came aloDl, convention asked him to run Cor might be. "One Camily aCter another would they built the parsonage." first vice president. "But I think maybe that's where say, 'This is your room, preacher,'" In 1978, Cummings made a diffi Cummings' primary role in that it has to begin. It has to begin with he said. "They were a super group cult decision to leave New Bethel position will be to work with the someone willing to be a representa of people." and head close to home and the Rev. Mac Brunson; the convention tive. We are going to have to keep During that time he met his Mount Airy Baptist Church in president, and second vice making progress until we bring ev wife, Quae. They were married in Robeson County. president Dr. David Crocker of erybody to the table without any 1972. He was 22, she was 18. "I was their first run-time pas Fayetteville to decide appoint particular regard that we have to "I would be terriCied iC my boys tor," he said. "Some or the people ments for state Baptist committees have a woman or an Indian or a would do that," he said. "God just thought it was too much or a chal and boards. black." \ \ CLIPPING SERVICE 1115 HILLStlORO RALEIGH. NC 27603 PeIllbroke TEl. (919) 833-2079 · · t ~Cf/ ~ mIllIS er ROBESONIAN elected ,-UMBER10I'l, N. C WINSTON-SALEM - A b k minister was elected Pem ro c .' r th North ~wv 1 2 97 first vice president 0 e . ·na Baptist State ConvcntlOn C.aro \I on Tucsday. Mikc C ummin~ dcrcated~nud- Continued from \ A . t CharlollC Cuok \0 thc racC 101 -.lVilnlster era e . h "'2 2 Ilcr first vice president Wit J. cent of the vote. . convention, could not be reached "I don't know that I blame Cummings is missions director for comment. The convention ends them," he said. "I want to move our of the Burnt Swalnp Baptist today. focus on to other things Ihan Association in Pembroke. "Praise the Lord," said Elizabeth denominational politics and start a Cummings, who is still at the Jacobs after hearing the news of new CUlling-edge ministry." Cummings election. Jacobs works with the Burnt Swamp Association. Brunson's victory topped off a Please see MINISTER. PACE 8A "This is great news. Rev. strong showing by conservatiyes, Cummings will serve the conven who were elected to the top two tion well. " positions in the state's largest reli gious denomination and narrowly The Burnt Swamp Association is lost .the third. a non-profit organization that serves C(>nservatives and moderates 60 predominately American Indian have 'disagreed on how to get their churches in nine counties. message put. Conservatives believe The Rev. Mac Brunson, pastor of in a more literal view of the scrip . GreenStreet Baptist Church in High ! ture; while moderates say the Bible Point, was elected as president. '. is subject to more interpretation. Brunson. said the denomination · , must spend less time contemplating. '\ Brunson vowed' to continue the its own divisions and ,more time ., work of outgoing president Greg communicating wit!l young peopl~ i ' .Mathis of Hendersonville, who was ...... the first conservative elected since "We need !..~ be, r~\"hing ,_ \he national convent~on turned con Oeneration X, who absolutely could . servative nearly two decades ago. care less about this convention or ' . . . formal church services," said Mathis has been praised by many Brunson. "They want to k.now, 'Is Southern Baptists for working well there a God out' there. and can he with moderates during his two years meet the needs in mylife't .. ·1lS president. Brunson. 40. defeated the Rev. : " "I'm going to carry on the coop Jack Causey on Tuesday with 53 eration • . balance and fairness," percent of 4,920 ballots. He said he Brunson told a packed news confer believed the younger generation has ence after the results of the election been put off by the internal bicker- were announced. ing between conservative and mod- " erate Baptists. '..• . Brunson said he was pleased with the new spirit of togetherness Second vice president within the ranks of the convention. The Rev. DaviaCrocker. a mod "It has worked extremely well," erate from , Fayetteville. won the said Brunson, whose church has post of second vic;;e president with 3,400 members. "Conservatives . 50,4 percent of the baIlo~ ov~rth.c; . pave been cut off for so many years . Rev. Allan Blume, acons~rvatJve. . We feel like we have a voice." The Robesonien Lumberton, HC D- NO DAtA S- NO DAtA August 1, 2001 carolina Clipping Service Raleigh. HC ----27603 ) Center's future J11 to be discussed MAXTON - The public is invited to attend a meeting Thursday to discuss the future of the North Carolina Indian Cultural Center. The meeting will be at 7 p.m. at the Evans Crossroads Fire Department. Among those scheduled to attend are Paul Brooks, chairman of the N.C. Indian Affairs; Dobbs Oxendine, vice chairman of the N.C. Indian Culture Center Board of Directors; David Carter, of the Robeson Historical Association, and Michael Cummings, president of the Baptist State Convention of North CaTolina. Refreshments will be served.