The Annual General Missionary Baptist Convention is now in full swing in Macon. The annual gathering is always a welcome addition to the local economy, but it could mean more if church politics sways a certain way.

Today through Wednesday, Baptist ministers from across the state of Georgia will be conducting their own form of governing, making rules and electing officers.

One Macon pastor is stepping up to the plate and running for president.

"I am offering myself for president because I have been trained,” says Reverend Curtis Raines, the pastor of New Pilgrim Baptist Church. “I know all the details about the convention and we want to take it to another level."

Reverend Raines says if he is elected, it will be a win for the convention and a win for Macon and the local economy, and the current leadership, Dr. Clarence Moore the president of The Annual General Missionary Baptist Convention, agrees. "For the local economy it will benefit because your hotels are full," If the organizations president is from Middle Georgia, they say that trend will continue.

Those attending the convention say that one of their community initiatives is focusing on voter registration, however controversial that may be.

Raines says it's a thin line separating church and state, "I know what the state says and I know what the federal government says but about religion and politics but they are so closely related that you can't do without each one."

He says win, lose or draw, he along with all attendees plan to go out into the Macon community the next couple of days and share their story. "It's time for use to take Macon and Middle Georgia to another level," adds Rev. Raines.
Dr. Clarence Moore says it should have a lasting effect, "So hopefully we will leave the community better than we found it."