UEMBA, INC. HEADQUARTERS
The Dedication and Prayer Ceremony was held Saturday, September 14, 2013. Special thank you's to Mr. Mike Truelove, President, Midsouth Bank; Mr. Mike Grant for donating the food, city council and school board members and state representatives; and all the churches of the Association.. .
THE HISTORY OF UNITED......The United Educational Missionary Baptist Association Was chartered at 4:08 p.m., September 21, 1953, with the following officers: Rev. G. C. Jacob, President; Rev. David Smith, Vice-President; Rev. Abe Lowe, Second Vice-President; Rev. R. B. Bennett, Recording Secretary; Rev. S. W. Pullen, Corresponding Secretary; and Rev. Vannie Brown, Treasurer.
​
A Constitution and bylaws document was drafted under the presidency of Rev. David Smith and revised under Rev. Abe Lowe's administration. By the time the first Constitution was initiated, all the ministers had received it.
Honorary Doctorates of Theology due to study and years of experience in the field of ministry. Offices held when the first Constitution was written were: Dr. D. Smith, President; Dr. R. B. Bennett, Vice-President; Dr. Abe Lowe, Second Vice-President; Mrs. Fannie Franklin, Executive Secretary; Mrs. Viola Norris, Assistant Secretary; Dr. S. W. Pullen, Treasurer.
​
The Constitution names the original Board of Directors as Dr. D. Smith; Dr. R. B. Bennett; Dr. Abe Lowe; Dr. S. W. Pullens; Rev. C. J. Bell; Mrs.; R. L. Jacob; Mrs. Fannie Franklin; Rev. Edward Jones, Rev. L. Williams; Dr. Fred Jacob; Rev. F. Whorton; Rev. L. K. Smith and Rev. W. M. Gaines.
​
When the second Constitution and By-laws document was drafted under Dr. Abe Lowe, it carried the following officers: Dr. Abe. Lowe, President; Dr. S. W. Pullen, Vice President; Rev. L. K. Smith, Second Vice President; Rev. Donny Granvel, Third Vice President; Rev. C. J. Bell, Assistant to the President; Rev. Emanuel Smith, Chairman of Finance; Mrs. Izelia Lawson, Financial Secretary; Mrs. Barbara Hamilton, Assistant Financial Secretary; Mrs. Fannie Franklin, Financial Secretary Emeritus; Mrs. Barbara Epps, Recording Secretary; and Rev. Henry Booze, Treasurer. It has been reported to this historian that during an interim period between writings of the Constitution, Rev. Edward Jones served for 12 years as Treasurer when Dr. S. W. Pullen moved up.
During Dr. D. Smith’s presidency, churches were added to the association, including Olive Branch, pastored by Rev. James Smash, and New Bethel, Pastored by Rev. Wyman Lewis. When Dr. Smith stepped down in 1982, he recommended Dr. R. B. Bennett as the new President of the UEMBA.
After Rev. Lowe’s presidency, Rev. L. K. Smith was elected president of the UEMBA. He and Dr. Fred Jacob had served successfully as Director and Dean of the Sunday School Congress. Rev. L. K. Smith and Dr. Fred Jacob brought a youth vision into the association and brought an interaction from ministers serving in the United States Air Force on England AFB. Some of those young men later became pastors, and some remained pastors of churches in the UEMBA.
Dr. Donny Granvel became president of the UEMBA in 1992 and served successfully for ten years. His success was partly because he has remained appreciative of the contributions of those who went before him. Also, he remained appreciative of the contributions of those who went before him and was cognizant of the work ahead. He maintained a membership of up to 24 churches and initiated new programs (assistance to new ministers; health and fitness; making homes for the homeless; hope for seniors; grants for youth programs) to better the lives of association members. He partnered with ministers of the Eighth Missionary Baptist Association and The Educational Missionary Baptist Association so that there could be camaraderie among all leaders.
​
Rev. Tom Hamilton served as a voluntary interim president during the illness and subsequent death of Rev. Donny Granvel. His service was from August 2006 to January 22, 2007. In 2007, Rev. Clarence Dupar, Jr. was elected as President. Under President Dupar's leadership, he fought hard to continue the camaraderie of the previous administrations. With a very competent administration behind him, he was instrumental in developing the 5th Sunday musical held at different churches in the Association. Through these efforts, scholarship money was raised for deserving students. President Dupar used his vision to create the "Save the Youth Revival" held annually in May. Youth from Central Louisiana came together for a common cause, "to serve the Lord." The 4th week in May was proclaimed by Mayor Jacques Roy as "Save the Youth Revival Week." Rev. Roy L. Lott, Sr. was installed on Saturday, September 10, 2011, at 3:00 p.m. at the True Vine Missionary Baptist Church, where he served for several years.. He was followed by Rev. Charlie Gilmore . Rev. Joseph Martin, Jr. is now the President.
​
Our past reminds us that we've come a long way and shared with people who have truly made a difference in our lives. But, even as we look back, we must prepare for a promising future. We must always vow to put God first in all we do and salute the work of those who went before but prepare to put our elbows to the wheel to make a better association and world. (Excerpt reprinted from the 50th Anniversary Souvenir Book - 2002)