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Leaders from 40 Baptist organizations are joining forces with former presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton to hold a gathering next January that will emphasize their common goals, especially to counter the public image of Baptists as predominantly tied to conservative political and cultural stances.

The “Celebration of a New Baptist Covenant” was announced last month at the Carter Center in Atlanta during a meeting of the two presidents—who were both raised Southern Baptist—and dozens of leaders who together represent an estimated 20 million Baptists in North America.