FRESNO, Calif. – The California Southern Baptist Convention Executive Board met Sept. 10-11 to conduct business, celebrate milestones and take decisive steps toward the future.
Reaching California: The 2% Vision
CSBC Executive Director Pete Ramirez updated the Board on progress toward the “Reaching California” initiative. Building on statewide listening sessions, Ramirez is now returning with Part 2 of the Hear the Heart listening sessions to report back to local church leaders, region by region. The full rollout of the strategic plan will take place at the CSBC Annual Meeting, October 24-25, in Milpitas.
Recommendation of CSBC building sale
A significant recommendation from the CSBC Executive Committee and presented to the full board authorized the officers of the CSBC to sell the convention’s building, located at 678 East Shaw Avenue in Fresno. The building has served as the CSBC’s main office for more than 50 years.
Ramirez clarified the vision behind the decision, saying, “The Executive Board voted to begin the process of selling the building that has housed our offices since 1967 and to decentralize from a single central California location.
“This strategic move will allow us to expand our presence across the state, positioning our ministries to serve churches and communities more effectively for years to come.”
The recommendation also calls for the convention to relocate its headquarters to the Gateway Seminary campus in Ontario, California, 280 miles south of Fresno.
“This strategic relocation is designed to place leadership near the ministry partners and to strengthen CSBC’s capacity to reach, serve, and support all regions of California with greater effectiveness,” the recommendation says.
Jenice Moore, board member from GateTree Baptist Church, Danville, reflected on the weight of the decision.
“Growing up in Fresno, I was very much aware of the Baptist Building being in what was then the center of town,” Moore said. “I remember when the Baptist Bookstore was located inside the building. I’ve seen the interior go through several remodels and transitions. My father worked for the convention for 20 years, and it’s special to me to attend meetings in the very space where he worked – right at the top of the stairs!
“I think of it as a special and significant place where many wonderful people worked and many churches were helped. However, I know that good decisions can’t be made for sentimental reasons. Our convention has far fewer employees than in previous years, and the building is in need of repair and improvement. It seems like the appropriate time for a change of location. I will feel some sadness when that change occurs, but I believe good stewardship dictates that the time is right.”
Moore said she believes board members had sufficient time to consider the implications of the motion and asked thoughtful questions.
“The relocation plan raised more concerns than the selling of the property,” she said. “Some of the board members from Northern California expressed their displeasure with moving the offices so far to the south. [Ramirez] was asked if any thought had been given to the impact that the proposed move would have on our churches in Northern California, especially in light of the impact felt when the seminary was relocated. He replied that he had given thought to the problem and was working toward having convention ambassadors in Northern California.”
The current plan is to place CSBC staff around the state, with business services and disaster relief remaining in Fresno and team leaders moving to Ontario.
The recommendation passed without opposition.
Recognition of ministry leader
A highlight in the program came when Ramirez presented Rolland Slade, past SBC Executive Committee Chair and current CSBC president, with a financial gift on behalf of the convention to support Amikas, a homeless ministry sponsored by Slade’s church. With characteristic generosity, Slade immediately redirected the funds to L.A. Pastor Jared Osselaer to support his church’s local foster care ministry.
Ramirez commended Slade’s service. “President Rolland Slade has served with excellence, guided by a single agenda: to be a unifying voice and a source of encouragement for pastors across California. His heart for unity and his tireless support of our churches have strengthened the ministry of the California Southern Baptist Convention.”
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