The Southern Baptist Convention is a major Christian denomination in the United States, known for its emphasis on the authority of the Bible and the importance of personal faith in Jesus Christ. Founded in 1845, it originated from a split with Northern Baptists over issues such as slavery. Today, it is one of the largest Protestant denominations, with millions of members across thousands of churches. Southern Baptists practice believer's baptism, meaning that individuals are baptized after making a personal decision to follow Christ. They also prioritize evangelism and mission work, aiming to spread their beliefs both locally and globally. The denomination is governed by a congregational polity, allowing individual churches significant autonomy.