As Doug Rogers — current president of the Baptist Communicators Association — works on the organization’s fall forum that starts Sept. 16, he’s also celebrating a milestone.
It’s been 35 years since he first joined BCA, a professional organization of communicators who serve in editorial, public relations, electronic media, photography, management, marketing and graphic design positions principally within Baptist agencies and institutions.
“I became a member through the invitation of a supervisor while I was a student working in the public relations office at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary,” Rogers said. “I’ve remained a member all these years because its value in my life, both professionally and personally, has increased every year.”
Rogers, now director of the office of communications and Cooperative Program at the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, has served in other roles for BCA in the past — president, 2003–04; program vice president, 2006–07, coordinating the organization’s annual professional workshop held that year in Mobile; missions co-vice president, 2011–12; co-awards chair, 2014–15; and professional development coordinator, 2018–21.
“Most of the professional relationships I’ve formed can be traced to BCA, and I am certainly a better, more effective Christian communicator because of this organization,” he said.
He’s got a family connection to the organization this year too — his daughter, Bethany Franklin, is serving as awards chair-elect. BCA gives awards every year to encourage professional excellence among association members and to recognize members who have done exemplary work, and Franklin will be a part of that process.
She serves as media and communications director at Valley View Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa and as communications specialist at Tuscaloosa Baptist Association.
This month’s BCA fall forum is an online event led by members for members, designed to provide both encouragement and professional development in a variety of areas. The sessions will premiere on the Baptist Communicators Association Facebook page Sept. 16 and feature prepared content as well as a live Q&A time with leaders.