HELPING CONNECT PEOPLE TO FAITH

General Baptist Ministries, based in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, exists to unite the efforts of various local General Baptist churches and regional associations. Policies are set and initiatives are approved by regional representatives to the Board of Overseers. The Cabinet of General Baptist Ministries then develops plans and programs to carry forward those policies and initiatives from the Board.

OUR MISSION

General Baptists believe that Christ died for all people, offering salvation to everyone—not just a predetermined few. This conviction gives urgency to our activity in the world. What we do matters—because someone’s eternity is at stake. We take that responsibility seriously. Every act of witness, every work of mercy, every person who says yes to God’s call to “Go” is a faithful response to Christ’s commission to make disciples of all nations.

Because of this divine calling and the weight of such a mission, General Baptist churches have chosen to create General Baptist Ministries. God has called us to exist for the church. We do not exist so churches can support us; we exist to empower and equip them. Our mission is to make it possible for every local church to fulfill the Great Commission. Whether by helping a church become more effective in its own community or by extending its ministry into others across the U.S. and around the world, our core purpose is always directed outward—for churches, because what they do matters.

OUR CORE VALUES

We are passionate about our shared mission to freely preach the gospel to every person in ways that honor their local context. As a result, we value cooperation over uniformity. Our diversity in practice, personality, and tradition has never been an accident—it is part of our theological and organizational DNA. This cooperative spirit has been a strength across generations, even when it has occasionally led to dysfunction. We choose unity in mission over sameness in method.

The needs of the local church always come first. We believe the local church is God’s primary vessel for carrying out the Great Commission. Christ is uniquely present in the local gathering of believers, and it is there that disciples are made, communities are transformed, and the gospel is embodied. While General Baptist Ministries serves a vital support role, we are not the main expression of the Church—local congregations are. This value is about more than respecting church autonomy; it’s about recognizing that God’s redemptive work happens most directly through local churches on mission in their communities.

WHAT WE DO

We inspire and equip churches to make disciples for Christ. General Baptist Ministries is not called to make disciples directly—that task belongs to the local church. But because we exist for the church, our role is to inspire and equip churches in fulfilling their God-given mission. When churches thrive in disciple-making, we are fulfilling our purpose.

HOW WE WILL SUCCEED

To accomplish our mission, we focus on three strategic anchors—core commitments that guide everything we do:

1. We prioritize the connections between churches.

We are an association of churches that believes in the power of cooperation. We build partnerships between churches and leaders to strengthen unity, foster innovation, and share mission. We thrive when we work together.

2. We develop healthy leaders.

We invest in leaders who are bold, faithful, and clear in their calling. From initial discernment to long-term development, we equip pastors and ministry leaders to serve well and lead others. Leadership is the key lever for healthy, mission-shaped churches.

3. We multiply the mission through church planting and global engagement.

We believe Christ died for all, and that belief compels us to go. We also believe healthy churches are missional churches. We help churches become sending centers by planting new churches, engaging in global missions, and supporting leaders who carry the gospel to new places. We don’t just preserve what is—we advance what could be.

OUR STORY

Why General Baptists?

A home-grown religious movement had its beginnings in the 1820s in Evansville, Indiana. General Baptists came into existence because of the revival preaching of Elder Benoni Stinson. He boldly and frequently proclaimed the good news of the gospel that “Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for everyman” with the result that “whosoever will may be saved”. This preaching from texts found in the New Testament books of Hebrews and Romans resulted in the planting of new churches, a networking with other like-minded groups, and the birthing of a national organization in 1870.  

But why General Baptist? The name is actually a summary of the core theology of the movement reflecting belief in a general atonement that anyone who is willing to trust Jesus as Savior may be saved. This theological name stood in contrast to those groups of the 19th century who advocated a particular or limited atonement for in their theology only a few, not the many, could be saved. 

Though the term “atonement” is not in the General Baptist Statements of Faith, few terms are more important to our historical identity. The “general” in General Baptist is derived from our position on atonement. Atonement can mean the compensation, the restitution paid, or explanation given by God through Jesus Christ for our sin. Atonement can describe the actions of Jesus to secure our salvation, and thus the redemptive work of Jesus can be described as the atonement.

Many Protestants continue to disagree over whether atonement is general (i.e., for all) or particular (i.e., only for those who are “elect”). General Baptists argue that the atonement is for all, but the benefits of the atonement “can be received only through repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Statement of Faith IV). Because we believe in a general atonement we are naturally evangelistic and intentionally missionary. How else will our world hear the Good News?

He boldly and frequently proclaimed the good news of the gospel that “Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for everyman” with the result that “whosoever will may be saved”.

– About the preaching of Elder Benoni Stinson

OUR BELIEFS

Our beliefs and Values

1970 Revised Edition

  • We believe that there is only one true, living, and eternal God and that the Godhead is revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

    (A) One True and Eternal God: Deut. 6:4; 33:27; Jer. 10:10; Matt. 3:15-16; 28:19; Mk. 12:29; Jn. 14:9-11; 10:30; Rom. 8:9- 11; I Cor. 8:4-6; II Cor. 3:17; I Thess. 1:9; I Tim. 1:17; 2:5; 6:17; Heb. 1:1-13; 3:12. (B) The Godhead: 1. God as Father: Gen. 1:1; Matt. 6:9; Eph. 4:6. 2. God as Son: Isa. 9:6; Matt. 16:16; Jn. 1:1; 3:14, 16; 14:28; I Cor. 15:28; Heb. 1:8. Virgin Birth of Jesus: Matt. 1:18-25; Lk. 1:26-38. 3. God as Holy Spirit: Jn. 14:16, 26; Acts 1:5, 8; 2:1-4; Rom. 8:16. 

  • We believe that the Holy Scriptures are the Old and New Testaments, the inspired and infallible Word of God, and therein is found the only reliable guide of Christian faith and conduct.

    (A) The Inspired Revelation: Lk. 24:44-46; Rom. 16:25-26; II Tim. 3:15-17; Heb. 1:1-2; II Pet. 1:20-21. (B) The Infallible Word: Isa. 40:8; Lk. 21:33; Jn. 17:17; Titus 1:2; I Pet.1:25. (C) The Reliable Guide: Deut. 6:6-9; Ps. 19:7-10; 119:105, 140; Jn. 5:39; Acts 17:11-12; Rom. 10:14-15; 15:4; II Tim. 3:16-17.

  • We believe that God created man in His own image to bring Him honor through obedience, and that when man disobeyed, he became a fallen and sinful creature, unable to save himself. We believe that infants are in the covenant of God¹s grace and that all persons become accountable to God when they reach a state of moral responsibility.

    (A) Man¹s Origin: Gen. 1:26-27; 2:7; Ps. 8:5. (B) Man¹s Purpose: Gen. 1:28-31; 2:15-25; Isa. 43:7. (C) Man¹s Sin: Gen. 3:1-24; Ps. 51:5; Jer. 13:23; Rom. 1:18-3:23; 5:12-21; 7:1-25. (D) Man¹s Accountability: Matt. 19:13-15; Rom. 4:15; 5:13; 6:16; Heb. 11:24-26.

  • We believe that salvation (regeneration, sanctification, justification and redemption) has been provided for all mankind through the redemptive work (life, death, resurrection, ascension, and intercession) of Jesus Christ, and that this salvation can be received only through repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

    Salvation: Heb. 5:9; I Thess. 5:9; I Pet. 1:9; Heb. 7:25. Regeneration: Jn. 3:3-8; 1:11-13; I Pet. 1:23; Eph. 2:1-10; II Cor. 5:17; II Pet. 1:4; Titus 3:5. Sanctification: I Cor. 1:30; Eph. 5:26; Heb. 10:9-10, 29; II Tim. 2:21; Heb. 13:12; Rom. 12:1-2; I Pet. 1:2. Justification: Rom. 3:20-24; 5:1-2, 18; 8:30-33; Acts 13:38-39; I Cor. 6:11; II Cor. 5:21. Redemption: Matt. 20:28; Isa. 53:6; Col. 1:14; Titus 2:14; I Pet. 1:18-19; Rev. 5:9. Christ¹s Redemptive Work: Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8; Heb. 2:9; Rev. 22:17; II Pet. 3:9; Jn 14:6; Acts 4:12; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8-9. Life and Death: Rom. 5:10; Heb. 9:12-15; Jn. 10:11; I Jn. 3:16. Resurrection: Rom. 4:25; I Pet. 1:3; I Cor. 15:14, 17. Ascension: Heb. 4:14-16, 6:19-20; 9:24; 10:11-12. Intercession: Rom. 8:34; Heb. 9:15; Isa. 53:12; I Tim. 2:5. Repentance: Isa. 55:6-7; Lk. 24:47; Lk. 13:3-5; Acts 2:38; I Thess. 1:9-10. Faith: Jn. 3:16-18; Heb. 11:1, 6; I Pet. 1:5. 

  • We believe that those who abide in Christ have the assurance of salvation. However, we believe that the Christian retains his freedom of choice; therefore, it is possible for him to turn away from God and be finally lost.

    (A) Assurance: Matt. 28:20; I Cor. 10:13; Heb. 5:9. (B) Endurance: Matt. 10:22; Lk. 9:62; Col. 1:23; Rev. 2:10-11; 3:3-5. (C) Warnings: Jn. 15:6; Rom. 11:20-23; Gal. 5:4; Heb. 3:12; 10:26-29; II Pet. 2:20-21. (D) Finally Lost: Jn. 15:6; I Cor. 9:27; Heb. 6:4-6. 

  • We believe that Christians should live faithfully by serving in and through the local church, praying diligently, witnessing earnestly, practicing tolerance, showing loving kindness, giving as God prospers, and conducting themselves in such a way as to bring glory to God.

    (A) Faithful Service: I Chron. 16:11; Ps. 101:6; Matt. 28:18-20; Jn. 15:7-14; Rom. 12:14; I Cor. 13; II Cor. 8, 9; Eph. 4, 6; Heb. 12:1. (B) Prayer: II Chron. 7:14; Dan. 6:10; Matt. 6:1-13; 26:41; Lk. 18:1; I Thess. 5:17. (C) Witnessing: Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 1:8. (D) Tolerance: Matt. 18:15-17; Lk. 10:27; Gal. 5:22-23; II Pet. 1:5- 9. (E) Loving Kindness: Jn. 13:35; I Jn. 3:11; 4:7, 11-12. (F) Financial Stewardship: Matt. 23:23; I Cor. 16:2; II Cor. 9:6-7. 

  • We believe that the Church Universal is the Body of Christ, the fellowship of all believers, and that its members have been called out from the world to come under the dominion and authority of Christ, its head. We believe that a local church is a fellowship of Christians, a part of the Body of Christ, voluntarily banded together for worship, nurture, and service.

    (A) The Church Universal: Matt. 16:18; Jn. 10:10; I Cor. 3:16; 12:12-14, 27; Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18, 24; Heb. 12:23. (B) The Local Church: Matt. 18:17; Acts 2:38-47; 11:19-30; Rev. 1:4; 3:22. 1. Worship and Service: Rom. 12:1; I Cor. 14:12, 23-25; Heb. 10:25; Ja. 1:26-27. 2. Nurture: Eph. 4; II Pet. 1:2-8; 3:18. 

  • We believe that baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances instituted by Christ to be observed by Christians only. We also believe that the Biblical mode of baptism is immersion and that participation in the Lord¹s Supper should be open to all Christians. (Note: Several associations and local churches recognize feet washing as an ordinance. We believe that this should be left to the individual, and that neither the practice nor the non-practice of it should be any bar to fellowship, either in the church, the local association, the Presbytery, or the General Association. )

    Jn. 13; I Tim. 5:10.) (A) Baptism: 1. Instituted: Matt. 3:13-15; 28:19. 2. Subjects: Acts 2:41; 8:12, 37-38; 10:47-48; 16:30-33; 19:5. 3. Biblical Mode: Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12. 4. Purpose: Matt. 3:14; I Pet. 3:21. (B) Communion: 1. Instituted: Matt. 26:26-29; Mk. 14:22-25; Lk. 22:19-20; I Cor. 11:23-25. 2. Subjects: I Cor. 11:27-29. 3. Purpose: I Cor. 11:26. 

  • We believe in the Sanctity of the Lord¹s Day, the first day of the week, and that this day ought to be observed by worshipping God, witnessing for Christ, and ministering to the needs of humanity. We believe that secular work on Sunday should be limited to cases of necessity or mercy.

    (A) Sanctity: Ex. 20:8; Isa. 58:13-14. (B) Observance: Mk. 2:27:28; Lk. 4:1-16; 14:1-6; Acts 20:7; I Cor. 16:2; Rev. 1:10. 

  • We believe in the personal return of Jesus Christ, and in the bodily resurrection of the dead. We believe that God will judge all mankind by Jesus Christ; that He will reward the righteous with eternal life in heaven, and that He will banish the unrighteous to everlasting punishment in hell.

    (A) Return: Matt. 24, 25; Lk. 12:40; Jn. 14:3; Acts 1:11; I Jn. 3:2; Rev. 1:7. (B) Resurrection: Jn. 5:25, 28-29; 6:40; 11:24-25; Rom. 8:11; I Cor.15; Phil. 3:21; I Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 20:4-6. (C) Judgment and Reward: Matt. 25:21; Mk. 9:43-48; Jn. 5:27; Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:16; 14:12; II Cor. 5:1, 10; Col. 3:24; II Thess. 1:7- 10; Heb. 9:27; II Pet. 3:8-13; Jude 21; Rev. 2:7; 14:13; 20:10-15; 22:12. 

PRESIDENT

Danny Dunivan

President of General Baptist Ministries

Dr. Danny Dunivan has served the General Baptist movement for over 30 years, pastoring churches in Indiana and Missouri and contributing to multiple boards and ministries. Since 2021, he has led as President of General Baptist Ministries. Danny holds a B.A. in Religious Studies and an M.Div. from Oakland City University, as well as a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Saint Louis University. He is deeply committed to leadership development, missions, and helping churches stay connected in the shared work of preaching the gospel. Danny and his wife Tara are proud parents of daughters Averee and Ella.

danny.dunivan@generalbaptist.com

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