This article was published January 18, 2002 by Baptist Press, the official news agency of the Southern Baptist Convention.

"For the first time, a group of Baptist moderates is headed toward breaking away from a state convention to form its own convention...the first annual meeting of the proposed new convention, possibly to be named the Baptist Convention of Missouri, is tentatively set for April 18-19 in Fee Fee Baptist Church, St. Louis."

Mo. convention leaders challenge pro-SBC talk by breakaway group- Baptist press

This article was published January 18, 2002 by Baptist Press, the official news agency of the Southern Baptist Convention.

"Missouri Baptist Convention leaders said they are astonished and skeptical that moderates forming a new state convention -- many of whom have been among the SBC's most vocal critics in recent years -- now want to be in "friendly cooperation" with the Southern Baptist Convention."

Full text of the letter from Doyle Sager announcing the closing Mainstream Missouri Baptists to make way for "A new Missouri Baptist Convention...on the horizon"

"~A new Missouri Baptist Convention is on the horizon, free from Fundamentalist domination.

"~Many of our beloved Missouri Baptist institutions have become free from Fundamentalist control."

Open letter from Jim Hill: Why would I choose to become part of a new Baptist state convention In Missouri?

"Utilizing political processes and misleading information the Project 1000 leadership has gained control of the convention, and they are committed to absolute control.

"Many of these leaders would rather destroy the ministries of our institutions than find a way to cooperate.  They have no hesitation to escrow the funds Missouri Baptist have given to support these institutions.  I believe our institutions are led by conservative and dedicated Baptists from across our state.  I believe they are seeking to do what is in the best interest of our institutions.  I believe that is the trust they were given when they were elected."

SBC should not receive funds from new Mo. convention, Chapman states- Baptist Press

This article was published January 28, 2002 by Baptist Press, the official news agency of the Southern Baptist Convention.

"'To allow a group that is so openly in disagreement with the SBC to collect our CP gifts from the churches implies some kind of endorsement of the group's point of view. We do not wish to send mixed signals to the churches in Missouri, nor do we wish to harm the work of the Missouri Baptist Convention or the Southern Baptist Convention.'

"The proposed Baptist Convention of Missouri, which is slated to hold its inaugural meeting in mid-April, plans to incorporate 'practices contrary to the best interests of the Southern Baptist Convention,' Chapman also noted, citing plans for the proposed convention to establish several giving plans, not all of which would be related to the SBC.

"The breakaway convention 'will openly welcome relationships with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, a group known for actively encouraging Southern Baptist churches to discontinue support for our convention's work...'"

Full Text of the Letter from SBC Executive Committee President & CEO Morris H. Chapman to Dr. James L. Hill

"It will be necessary for us to return any such gifts from the convention you plan to form and request the Southern Baptist churches in Missouri to send their gifts through regular channels. I am saddened by your personal conflicts with MBC leaders and I regret that the disharmony remains at a high level in the state, but the interests of the Southern Baptist Convention will not be served by establishing a partnership with another regional convention in Missouri."