Faithfulness Amid Restricted Freedoms
Report Analysis Provided by:
Throughout the world, restrictions on religious freedom and basic human rights infringe upon Baptists specifically and societies generally. Committed to a biblical understanding of the image of God in every person, the BWA defends an ethic of life; supports religious freedom for all; stands in solidarity with the marginalized; advocates at every level; trains and networks proactively; and mobilizes for religious freedom, human rights, and justice.
239 Member Bodies
TOP 5 COUNTRIES
Where BWA Baptists Are in Danger of Government-Sponsored Mass Killing
125 Countries & Terroritories
Nigeria...........................................................7,036,100 Baptists
169,000 Churches
Democratic Republic of Congo.....................4,773,620 Baptists
India..............................................................2,865,152 Baptists
47 Million Members
Tanzania........................................................2,660,000 Baptists
Uganda.............................................................457,608 Baptists
The top five total an approximate 17,792,480 BWA Baptists, accounting for 37% of BWA membership. (Source: Early Warning Project of the U.S. Holocaust Museum and Dartmouth College)
TOP 10 COUNTRIES with Most Significant Government Restrictions
Indonesia......125,426 Baptists in 1,107 BWA churches
Uzbekistan..............................2,735 Baptists in 60 BWA churches
Malaysia.............29,771 Baptists in 185 BWA churches
Singapore.............................10,000 Baptists in 37 BWA churches
Russia.............92,600 Baptists in 2,049 BWA churches
Turkey..........................................300 Baptists in 8 BWA churches
Egypt......................2,090 Baptists in 23 BWA churches
Myanmar.....................1,013,177 Baptists in 5,221 BWA Churches
Syria..........................600 Baptists in 10 BWA churches
Israel..........................................800 Baptists in 19 BWA Churches
The top ten total an approximate 1,277,499 BWA Baptists, accounting for 2.7% of BWA membership. (Source: Pew Research, ordered here by the severity as determined by Pew)
TOP 10 COUNTRIES with Most Significant Violence Based on Religion India.........2,865,152 Baptists in 15,157 BWA churches Syria..........................600 Baptists in 10 BWA churches
Bangladesh......................88,099 Baptists in 1,059 BWA churches
Russia...............................92,600 Baptists in 2,049 BWA churches
Nigeria......7,036,100 Baptists in 13,290 BWA churches Egypt......................2,090 Baptists in 23 BWA churches
CAR*...............................241,455 Baptists in 1,097 BWA churches Ukraine..........................113,000 Baptists in 2,600 BWA churches
Israel..........................800 Baptists in 19 BWA churches
Germany.............................88,433 Baptists in 865 BWA churches
BAPTIST
2019 WORLD TRENDS
The top ten total an approximate 10,528,329 BWA Baptists, accounting for 22% of BWA membership. (Source: Pew Research, ordered here by the severity as determined by Pew)
Additional Country of Concern: Venezuela With 60,200 Baptists and 563 churches, Venezuela has experienced the greatest economic collapse of any country in modern history outside of war. Over 4 million individuals have fled Venezuela as a result. While the Venezuelan Baptist Convention and the Baptist conventions of nearby countries respond with positive engagement, the country faces significant political, social, economic, and spiritual challenges.
STAY CONNECTED * Central African Republic
Web: BaptistWorld.org Phone: +1 703.790.8980
#RedWednesday On Wednesday, November 27, join with BWA Baptists in advocating for religious freedom for all by wearing red, encouraging churches and public buildings to light the their building exterior with red lights that week, and preaching or teaching on behalf of those facing persecution. Share your support on social media using the hashtag #RedWednesday.
Social: @BaptistWorld
A Growing BWA Family
Responding to Practical Challenges
Over the last 10 years, BWA Baptists have witnessed significant worldwide growth. Collectively, the BWA family has grown from 36 million to 47 million, though there have been significant regional differentiations. The BWA remains compelled by the Great Commission to lead with a passionate commitment to Gospel witness in every context and people group, foster multidirectional partnerships that connect individuals and churches, and encourage global mission and evangelism.
BWA Baptists continue to face significant humanitarian and economic challenges. In the midst of these situations, many BWA Baptists respond with creativity and compassion. Rooted in the belief that we are challenged to generously love our neighbor, the BWA responds to people in need; collaborates in times of crisis; networks agencies; supports sustainability and creation care; builds capacity; empowers local church engagement; and resources aid, relief, and community development.
Gross Domestic Product Among BWA Members (Utilizing data provided by the World Bank - amounts in U.S. Dollars)
BWA 10-Year Growth/Decline Overview Africa..........................................................................161% growth
Did You Know...
Asia Pacific ....................................................................6% growth Caribbean....................................................................43% growth Europe & The Middle East.............................................7% decline Latin America...............................................................33% growth North America...............................................................6% decline
85% Growth
31% Global Growth
Baptist conventions in Africa grew from 7 million to almost 19 million over the last decade.
2017-2018 Fastest Growing Conventions by Region
REGION
MEMBER BODIES
% of BWA CHURCHES
GDP AVERAGE
AFRICA
69
26%
$1,482
ASIA PACIFIC
57
20%
$18,425
CARIBBEAN
20
2%
$9,267
EUROPE & THE MIDDLE EAST
48
8%
$21,811
LATIN AMERICA
23
11%
$7,279
NORTH AMERICA
22
32%
$49,683
Africa | Cameroon Baptist Convention............................................................................85% growth $22,929 is the global average of a BWA Baptist based on church distribution.
Asia Pacific | Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches, Inc........................................20% growth
Africa holds the greatest numbers of BWA churches and operates with the lowest median GDP for a BWA region. The Caribbean holds the smallest number of BWA churches and operates in the third highest median GDP for a BWA region.
Caribbean | The Bahamas National Baptist Missionary & Educational Convention.......4% growth Europe & The Middle East | Union of Baptists in Belgium..............................................17% growth Latin America | Argentine Baptist Association..................................................................4% growth | Baptist Evangelical Convention of Peru..................................................4% growth North America | Zomi Baptist Churches of America.......................................................17% growth
2017-2018 Fastest Growing Conventions
Cameroon Baptist Convention...............................................85% Growth....................................117,905 to 218,230 Baptized Believers
Reformed Baptist Convention in Rwanda..............................50% Growth.....................................430,726 to 644,363 Baptized Believers
Ethiopian Addis Kidan Baptist Church....................................46% Growth.........................................28,000 to 41,000 Baptized Believers
Faith Evangelical Baptist Church (South Sudan)....................42% Growth...........................................7,750 to 11,000 Baptized Believers
Baptist Convention of Tanzania..............................................28% Growth...............................2,082,000 to 2,660,000 Baptized Believers
Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches, Inc.....................20% Growth.....................................500,000 to 600,000 Baptized Believers
Zomi Baptist Churches of America..........................................17% Growth.............................................3,000 to 3,500 Baptized Believers
Union of Baptists in Belgium...................................................17% Growth.............................................1,308 to 1,525 Baptized Believers
Baptist Church of Congo..........................................................16% Growth.........................................11,814 to 13,785 Baptized Believers
Turkish Baptist Alliance........................................................... 15% Growth..................................................260 to 300 Baptized Believers Note: Growth reports based on groups that reported membership numbers for two consecutive years.
Go 2020 What would happen if all 47 million BWA Baptists shared their faith in the same month? We are calling on all BWA Baptists to use the month of May 2020 to share their faith with at least one person and for churches to start at least one new discipleship group.
BWA Member Bodies and Hunger: Baptists in Low-Income Food-Deficit Countries (Utilizing data provided by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations)
17
MILLION
BWA BAPTISTS 17,706,792
37% of all BWA Baptists
47K
BWA CHURCHES 47,493
28% of all BWA Baptist Churches
TOP 10 COUNTRIES with Greatest Number of Baptists Facing Food-Deficit
Nigeria......................................................7,036,100 members in 2 member bodies
Democratic Republic of Congo...............4,773,620 members in 12 member bodies
India.......................................................2,865,152 members in 22 member bodies
Tanzania......................................................................2,660,000 in 1 member body
Rwanda.....................................................1,001,917 members in 4 member bodies
Kenya..............................................................600,000 members in 1 member body
Uganda.........................................................................457,608 in 2 member bodies
Malawi..........................................................421,000 members in 3 member bodies
Ghana.............................................................309,940 members in 1 member body
Central African Republic.............................241,455 members in 5 member bodies
92 33
MEMBER BODIES
Countries have a BWA Member Body located in a Low-Income, Food-Deficit Country
A Growing BWA Family
Responding to Practical Challenges
Over the last 10 years, BWA Baptists have witnessed significant worldwide growth. Collectively, the BWA family has grown from 36 million to 47 million, though there have been significant regional differentiations. The BWA remains compelled by the Great Commission to lead with a passionate commitment to Gospel witness in every context and people group, foster multidirectional partnerships that connect individuals and churches, and encourage global mission and evangelism.
BWA Baptists continue to face significant humanitarian and economic challenges. In the midst of these situations, many BWA Baptists respond with creativity and compassion. Rooted in the belief that we are challenged to generously love our neighbor, the BWA responds to people in need; collaborates in times of crisis; networks agencies; supports sustainability and creation care; builds capacity; empowers local church engagement; and resources aid, relief, and community development.
Gross Domestic Product Among BWA Members (Utilizing data provided by the World Bank - amounts in U.S. Dollars)
BWA 10-Year Growth/Decline Overview Africa..........................................................................161% growth
Did You Know...
Asia Pacific ....................................................................6% growth Caribbean....................................................................43% growth Europe & The Middle East.............................................7% decline Latin America...............................................................33% growth North America...............................................................6% decline
85% Growth
31% Global Growth
Baptist conventions in Africa grew from 7 million to almost 19 million over the last decade.
2017-2018 Fastest Growing Conventions by Region
REGION
MEMBER BODIES
% of BWA CHURCHES
GDP AVERAGE
AFRICA
69
26%
$1,482
ASIA PACIFIC
57
20%
$18,425
CARIBBEAN
20
2%
$9,267
EUROPE & THE MIDDLE EAST
48
8%
$21,811
LATIN AMERICA
23
11%
$7,279
NORTH AMERICA
22
32%
$49,683
Africa | Cameroon Baptist Convention............................................................................85% growth $22,929 is the global average of a BWA Baptist based on church distribution.
Asia Pacific | Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches, Inc........................................20% growth
Africa holds the greatest numbers of BWA churches and operates with the lowest median GDP for a BWA region. The Caribbean holds the smallest number of BWA churches and operates in the third highest median GDP for a BWA region.
Caribbean | The Bahamas National Baptist Missionary & Educational Convention.......4% growth Europe & The Middle East | Union of Baptists in Belgium..............................................17% growth Latin America | Argentine Baptist Association..................................................................4% growth | Baptist Evangelical Convention of Peru..................................................4% growth North America | Zomi Baptist Churches of America.......................................................17% growth
2017-2018 Fastest Growing Conventions
Cameroon Baptist Convention...............................................85% Growth....................................117,905 to 218,230 Baptized Believers
Reformed Baptist Convention in Rwanda..............................50% Growth.....................................430,726 to 644,363 Baptized Believers
Ethiopian Addis Kidan Baptist Church....................................46% Growth.........................................28,000 to 41,000 Baptized Believers
Faith Evangelical Baptist Church (South Sudan)....................42% Growth...........................................7,750 to 11,000 Baptized Believers
Baptist Convention of Tanzania..............................................28% Growth...............................2,082,000 to 2,660,000 Baptized Believers
Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches, Inc.....................20% Growth.....................................500,000 to 600,000 Baptized Believers
Zomi Baptist Churches of America..........................................17% Growth.............................................3,000 to 3,500 Baptized Believers
Union of Baptists in Belgium...................................................17% Growth.............................................1,308 to 1,525 Baptized Believers
Baptist Church of Congo..........................................................16% Growth.........................................11,814 to 13,785 Baptized Believers
Turkish Baptist Alliance........................................................... 15% Growth..................................................260 to 300 Baptized Believers Note: Growth reports based on groups that reported membership numbers for two consecutive years.
Go 2020 What would happen if all 47 million BWA Baptists shared their faith in the same month? We are calling on all BWA Baptists to use the month of May 2020 to share their faith with at least one person and for churches to start at least one new discipleship group.
BWA Member Bodies and Hunger: Baptists in Low-Income Food-Deficit Countries (Utilizing data provided by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations)
17
MILLION
BWA BAPTISTS 17,706,792
37% of all BWA Baptists
47K
BWA CHURCHES 47,493
28% of all BWA Baptist Churches
TOP 10 COUNTRIES with Greatest Number of Baptists Facing Food-Deficit
Nigeria......................................................7,036,100 members in 2 member bodies
Democratic Republic of Congo...............4,773,620 members in 12 member bodies
India.......................................................2,865,152 members in 22 member bodies
Tanzania......................................................................2,660,000 in 1 member body
Rwanda.....................................................1,001,917 members in 4 member bodies
Kenya..............................................................600,000 members in 1 member body
Uganda.........................................................................457,608 in 2 member bodies
Malawi..........................................................421,000 members in 3 member bodies
Ghana.............................................................309,940 members in 1 member body
Central African Republic.............................241,455 members in 5 member bodies
92 33
MEMBER BODIES
Countries have a BWA Member Body located in a Low-Income, Food-Deficit Country
Faithfulness Amid Restricted Freedoms
Report Analysis Provided by:
Throughout the world, restrictions on religious freedom and basic human rights infringe upon Baptists specifically and societies generally. Committed to a biblical understanding of the image of God in every person, the BWA defends an ethic of life; supports religious freedom for all; stands in solidarity with the marginalized; advocates at every level; trains and networks proactively; and mobilizes for religious freedom, human rights, and justice.
239 Member Bodies
TOP 5 COUNTRIES
Where BWA Baptists Are in Danger of Government-Sponsored Mass Killing
125 Countries & Terroritories
Nigeria...........................................................7,036,100 Baptists
169,000 Churches
Democratic Republic of Congo.....................4,773,620 Baptists
India..............................................................2,865,152 Baptists
47 Million Members
Tanzania........................................................2,660,000 Baptists
Uganda.............................................................457,608 Baptists
The top five total an approximate 17,792,480 BWA Baptists, accounting for 37% of BWA membership. (Source: Early Warning Project of the U.S. Holocaust Museum and Dartmouth College)
TOP 10 COUNTRIES with Most Significant Government Restrictions
Indonesia......125,426 Baptists in 1,107 BWA churches
Uzbekistan..............................2,735 Baptists in 60 BWA churches
Malaysia.............29,771 Baptists in 185 BWA churches
Singapore.............................10,000 Baptists in 37 BWA churches
Russia.............92,600 Baptists in 2,049 BWA churches
Turkey..........................................300 Baptists in 8 BWA churches
Egypt......................2,090 Baptists in 23 BWA churches
Myanmar.....................1,013,177 Baptists in 5,221 BWA Churches
Syria..........................600 Baptists in 10 BWA churches
Israel..........................................800 Baptists in 19 BWA Churches
The top ten total an approximate 1,277,499 BWA Baptists, accounting for 2.7% of BWA membership. (Source: Pew Research, ordered here by the severity as determined by Pew)
TOP 10 COUNTRIES with Most Significant Violence Based on Religion India.........2,865,152 Baptists in 15,157 BWA churches Syria..........................600 Baptists in 10 BWA churches
Bangladesh......................88,099 Baptists in 1,059 BWA churches
Russia...............................92,600 Baptists in 2,049 BWA churches
Nigeria......7,036,100 Baptists in 13,290 BWA churches Egypt......................2,090 Baptists in 23 BWA churches
CAR*...............................241,455 Baptists in 1,097 BWA churches Ukraine..........................113,000 Baptists in 2,600 BWA churches
Israel..........................800 Baptists in 19 BWA churches
Germany.............................88,433 Baptists in 865 BWA churches
BAPTIST
2019 WORLD TRENDS
The top ten total an approximate 10,528,329 BWA Baptists, accounting for 22% of BWA membership. (Source: Pew Research, ordered here by the severity as determined by Pew)
Additional Country of Concern: Venezuela With 60,200 Baptists and 563 churches, Venezuela has experienced the greatest economic collapse of any country in modern history outside of war. Over 4 million individuals have fled Venezuela as a result. While the Venezuelan Baptist Convention and the Baptist conventions of nearby countries respond with positive engagement, the country faces significant political, social, economic, and spiritual challenges.
STAY CONNECTED * Central African Republic
Web: BaptistWorld.org Phone: +1 703.790.8980
#RedWednesday On Wednesday, November 27, join with BWA Baptists in advocating for religious freedom for all by wearing red, encouraging churches and public buildings to light the their building exterior with red lights that week, and preaching or teaching on behalf of those facing persecution. Share your support on social media using the hashtag #RedWednesday.
Social: @BaptistWorld