Kids4Christ Contact Lookup

Why “Baker” Missions? John P. Baker, or “Brother John,” as most of us called him, was loved by those who had the joy of counting him as friend and co-worker. “J.P.,” as his wife Clide referred to him, possessed a quick wit and delightful sense of humor, both of which helped tremendously during the years he served as executive director of the former Northern Plains Baptist Convention (NPBC). He frequently turned tense situations into more relaxed ones during difficult or stressful times. A true pioneer in Southern Baptist work in this part of the country, John P. Baker was the director of stewardship and missions for the Colorado Baptist General Convention when elected to serve as the first executive director of the newly formed Northern Plains Baptist Convention in the fall of 1967. In true humility, his response to those electing him was, “I don’t understand it…but I believe the Lord is in it.” Then, he quoted 1 Corinthians 1:27, “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” Baker plotted a course through “uncharted waters” as he sought to guide and develop the work throughout the nearly 400,000 square mile area that constituted the NPBC: Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. Through his extraordinary, compassionate leadership style, Baker strengthened the convention, mentored pastors and other leaders, led many to Christ, and unified the work. A deeply spiritual man, he continually prayed for the concerns and the mission of the convention. He retired at the end of 1976 and he and Clide moved to Baton Rouge, LA, where he promptly started two churches. Then they were called back in 1984, after Wyoming churches formed the Wyoming Baptist Convention, to assist with the formation of the two new fellowships – the Montana Southern Baptist Fellowship and the Dakota Southern Baptist Fellowship. Baker, born in Evanston, IL in June of 1911, died in 1994. Reared a Methodist, he became a Southern Baptist after his marriage to Clide. They developed a strong, prospering business in Louisiana during the early years of their life together. But God had other plans for their lives. At the age of 32 and with two young sons, Baker made a radical change. He left the business world to respond to God’s call to the ministry. When the week of prayer and offering was named, it was planned to call it the “John P. Baker Mission Week of Prayer and Offering.” However, Brother John would not hear of it. A very humble man, and grateful for his wife’s loving support, he requested that, if we must give his name to it, we leave off “John P.” so that it would honor Clide as well. “Never forget that there is a world outside the walls of your church and that missions is the heart and soul of what we do. Your (Dakota Sothern Baptist) Fellowship is a first line of defense against the forces of evil, and when you promote and participate in this once-a-year Baker Missions Offering for State Missions, then you strengthen your own missions base.” John P. Baker (1911 – 1994) Interview, 1992

November 2009

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