Our History

The Conservative Baptist Association of America came into being as a result of a split with the Northern Baptist Convention over missions.  Regional missionary meetings were held in areas across the United States including California.  In the early days there were a number of leading churches involved which included Calvary Los Gatos, FBC- San Jose, Foothill Blvd – Oakland, Hamilton Square Baptist – San Francisco and FBC Watsonville.   From that an association was formed in January 1949.  The first president of CBA/NC was Ralph Kraft.

Some of the earliest projects were the establishment of new churches, camp grounds and bringing on a Missionary Director.  The first part-time missionary director, John Speering, served from 1955 to 1957.  Warren Conrad came on board as a full-time Director in 1958 and served in that position until 1963.  Loren Eastman came in 1963 and served as Regional Director until 1978.  Under Loren Eastman, the nation and our association experienced hardcore/softcore theological controversies.  Under Loren Eastman, the CBA/NC association purchased Silver Spur Conference Center (near Sonora) and Camp Hammer (near Santa Cruz).  Camp Hammer was eventually handed over to Twin Lakes Church so that the association’s finances and time energies could be devoted to developing Silver Spur Camp.  The Regional offices were located in Hayward until moving to San Jose in 1958. 

Dr. Bruce Clatterbuck followed and served the longest directorship term - 26 years (1968-2004).  Under Bruce, the association leased land from Westgate Church ($1 a year) and built a new regional office (funds came from a Concord church which was closing) to facilitate a growing staff (Mark Platt) and to provide a location to offer seminars to churches within the association.   The hiring of Dr. Mark Platt as Director of Church Planting was an intentional move to develop a total church planting strategy.  Member and fellowshipping churches grew from 55 to over 140.  Most of the growth was a result of Church Planting.  During those years annual meetings moved from church hosted locations to the scenic venue of Asilomar. 

In 2002, a new office building was purchased in Stockton which provided not only a larger office space, but also additional units to provide rental revenue to the association.  A Blue Ribbon committee was created to assist in transition planning which resulted in the relocation of the CBA/NC office to Stockton, name change to Next Generation Churches and transition planning for a new director and calling of Dr. Paul Null.  With the early retirement of Paul Null at the end of 2009, Dr. Brad Franklin, Sr. Pastor of Lakeside Church in Folsom has taken the reigns as Transitional Executive Director. 

Silver Spur has developed over the years with the purchase of an additional acreage and facilities.  New camp areas have been developed to accommodate a Jr. Camp and a Bed & Breakfast retreat.  The camp facilities started with accommodations for 200 and now can handle over 400.  Silver Spur is on a pay-as-you-go basis, but the association has loaned money over the years to assist the with Silver Spur’s development.

Our Stockton Office