Baptist World Magazine: December 2019/January 2020 Edition by Baptist World Alliance

DECEMBER 2019/ JANUARY 2020 A MAGAZINE OF THE BAPTIST WORLD ALLIANCEÂ®

VOLUME 66-1

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GO I

RIO O T G 2 0 N

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

CONGRESS INCLUDES DIVERSE GROUP OF SPEAKERS

BURCHEL TAYLOR RECEIVES HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD

BAPTIST-CATHOLIC DIALOGUE CONVENES IN POLAND

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PARTNERING TOGETHER TO REACH VENEZUELA

CONFERENCE SHINES LIGHT ON WOMEN IN MINISTRY

ANNUAL GATHERING DRAWS FROM 50 COUNTRIES

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DECEMBER 2019/ JANUARY 2020 A MAGAZINE OF THE BAPTIST WORLD ALLIANCE®

VOLUME 66-1

CONTENTS The Baptist World Alliance, founded in 1905, is a fellowship of 240 conventions and unions in 125 countries and territories, comprising 47 million baptized believers in 169,000 churches. The BWA networks the Baptist family to impact the world for Christ with a commitment to strengthen worship, fellowship and unity; lead in mission and evangelism; respond to people in need through aid, relief, and community development; defend religious freedom, human rights, and justice; and advance theological reflection and leadership development.

BAPTIST WORLD EDITOR: J. Merritt Johnston • Email: communications@bwanet.org Published biannually by the Baptist World Alliance, 405 North Washington Street, Falls Church, Virginia 22046 USA. Telephone: +1-703-790-8980; Fax: +1-703-893-5160; E-mail: BWA@bwanet.org; Website: www.bwanet.org. Preferred Periodicals postage paid at Falls Church, VA 22046, and additional entry points.

2 Together: A Message from the General Secretary 3 BWA Opens New Heritage & Mission Welcome Center

For information on bulk orders, write to the Communications Division, Baptist World Alliance, 405 North Washington Street, Falls Church, Virginia 22046 USA or to communications@bwanet.org. Previous volumes of Baptist World are available in microfilm from University Microfilms International, 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106, USA. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to BAPTIST WORLD, 405 North Washington Street, Falls Church, Virginia 22046 USA. Please give both old and new addresses and attach a mailing label from an old issue. USA: Please provide nine-digit code (ZIP + 4).

16 Burchel Taylor Receives 2019 Human Rights Award 18 BICTE Shines a Light on Women in Ministry 4 Honoring the Legacy of Denton Lotz

20 Baptist-Catholic Dialogue Joint Commission Convenes in Poland

8 Together 2020: Planning for the World’s Most Diverse Gathering

22 Annual Gathering Draws Attendees from 50 Countries

PRINTED IN U.S.A. • ISSN 005-5808 BWA OFFICERS Ngwedla Paul Msiza. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . President Elijah Brown. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . General Secretary BWA EXECUTIVE STAFF Carolina Mangieri. . . . . . . . . . . . . Global Events & Fellowship J. Merritt Johnston. . . . . . . . . . . . . Communications & Media Julie Justus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Global Partnerships Monica Teal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Finance & Administration BWA REGIONAL SECRETARIES Durosinjesu Ayanrinola . . . . . . . . All Africa Baptist Fellowship Vesekhoyi Tetseo. . . . . . . . . . . Asia Pacific Baptist Federation Everton Jackson. . . . . . . . . . . . . Caribbean Baptist Fellowship Tony Peck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . European Baptist Federation Jeremy Bell . . . . . . . . . . . . North American Baptist Fellowship Parrish Jacome . . . . . . . . . Union of Baptists in Latin America

12 World Congress Features Speakers from Every Region of the World 14 Partnering Together to Reach Venezuela

23 In Memoriam 24 The Baptist World Alliance Family: A Message from the BWA President

BAPTIST WORLD | DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

FROM THE GENERAL SECRETARY ELIJAH BROWN

TOGETHER LIKE THE BELIEVERS IN ACTS 2, WE BELONG TOGETHER BECAUSE WE BELONG TO JESUS CHRIST. BECAUSE WE BELONG TO JESUS CHRIST, WE ARE CALLED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT TO GOD’S GLOBAL MISSION.

Just months ago, a Baptist church in the Asia Pacific region was destroyed by a crowd of 500 community members. While twentytwo percent of all BWA Baptists face significant violence based on religion, the details of this particular case are more nuanced. A Christian in the area who seems to have fabricated false documents purporting himself as the owner proceeded to illegally sell the land to a non-Christian leader who hired community members to pull down the church and reuse the land. In this complicated situation, will you pray with me that the land will be restored, the church rebuilt, and faithful witness continued? Persecution remains a grievous situation around the world, and all the more so when enacted by fellow Christians. The temptation to prioritize personal gain belies Gospel faithfulness. Given this ongoing temptation, the witness of the early church in Acts 2 is made all the more poignant in its testimony of believers living together. Together in finances. Together for the common good. Together in sharing meals. Together in commitment to biblical study. Together in prayer. Together in the awe of the Lord and as joint participants in his miraculous ministry. Together as witnesses to the Lord who “added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Like the believers in Acts 2, we belong together because we belong to Jesus Christ. Because we belong to Jesus Christ, we are called in the Holy Spirit to God’s global mission. In this age where the shadow invitation to indulge in heightened commitments to personalized preferences abounds, we are called as believers and as churches to orient ourselves around an intentional togetherness in Jesus Christ. Let us choose continually to prioritize community and embrace, with all of its messiness, the call to live in togetherness. Let us follow the path described in Acts 2 in joining together in meals in our homes, praying, giving, and sharing with one another God’s ministry in our communities around the world.

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Together, this remains a challenge and a commitment, within our local churches and as a global Baptist family. I was deeply moved when I recently learned that a Baptist leader in Tajikistan was actively praying for a Baptist youth leader in Venezuela facing a challenging ministry context. I was encouraged by the work of Baptists to respond to those tragically impacted in the Caribbean by Hurricane Dorian. I was inspired by Baptists in Bangladesh who are partnering to share the Gospel among some of the most unreached people groups in the world. This is what is possible through our service together through the Baptist World Alliance. Truly we are called to live as a global Baptist family who are together in prayer, support, and ministry. In July 2020, we will have an opportunity to experience this global family together at the 22nd BWA World Congress in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Congress will draw together the most globally diverse gathering of Baptists in the world to pray, celebrate, and serve. As part of this celebration, our theme will be “Together.” Would you make plans to join with your global family? You can find out more information in this edition of Baptist World or visit BWA2020.org to register today. More than ever, your local church and your worldwide Baptist family needs you, your gifts, your perspective, your partnership, and your intentional commitment to embrace a faith marked by togetherness. Together — it is our calling and our conviction,

Rev. Elijah M. Brown, PhD General Secretary

WELCOME CENTER

BWA OPENS NEW HERITAGE & MISSION

WELCOME CENTER

The Baptist World Alliance home office in Falls Church, Virginia, USA, is not only the hub for the day-to-day work of the BWA team, but it also fills other critical roles. Whether serving as the repository for more than 100 years of BWA history, the site of instrumental ministry planning meetings, or a place of encouragement for the many Baptists who visit from around the world, the BWA building is much more than a building. Knowing its value to the global Baptist family, member bodies forming the 1905 Founders Circle collaborated and contributed a financial gift for the creation of the BWA Heritage & Mission Welcome Center. These member bodies have been faithfully journeying with the BWA since 1905 and continue to invest in God’s global work today.

Karl Johnson from Jamaican Baptist Union, one of the members of the 1905 Founders’ Circle, led a prayer of dedication for the Heritage & Mission Welcome Center alongside BWA General Secretary Elijah Brown and BWA President Paul Msiza.

The center includes a world map wall highlighting the 125 countries and territories represented within the BWA, a mission wall that highlights the BWA’s five key ministry areas, and a history wall highlighting the impact of the BWA throughout its first 100 years. “We are grateful for the faithfulness and generosity of the Founders Circle that enabled us to create a space that beautifully conveys both our impactful history and the strategic mission guiding us into the future,” said Elijah Brown, BWA General Secretary.

Special Thanks to the 1905 Founders Circle: American Baptist Churches in the USA Baptist Union of Australia Baptist Union of Denmark Baptist Union of Great Britain Baptist Union of Hungary Baptist Union of Scotland Baptist Union of Southern Africa Canadian Baptist Ministries Christian Evangelical Baptist Union of Italy Irish Baptist Networks Jamaica Baptist Union Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Society, USA National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.

BWA President Paul Msiza cuts the ceremonial ribbon and invites attendees to tour the center.

Members of the BWA Executive Committee tour the newly opened center.

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DENTON LOTZ

HONORING THE LEGACY OF

DENTON LOTZ Rev. Dr. Denton Lotz, General Secretary Emeritus of the Baptist World Alliance and faithful servant of the LORD, died at his home in Forestdale, Massachusetts, USA, on April 23, 2019, at the age of 80. Born in 1939 in Flushing, New York, USA, Lotz was the youngest of four sons raised by Rev. and Mrs. John Lotz. He often credited his heritage for influencing his ministry, stating that he inherited “a German brain from his father and an Italian heart from his mother.” After Lotz graduated from Northpoint High School in 1956, he attended the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts. He then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving from 1961-1963. During a portion of his service, he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, ultimately achieving the rank of Second Lieutenant. After completing his military service, he attended Harvard Divinity School where he served as President of the Student Government from 1965-1966. He earned his sacred theology degree in 1966 as well as being ordained that same year at Binkley Memorial Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. After completing his studies at Harvard, Lotz began his doctoral studies at the University of Hamburg in Germany, earning a Doctor of Theology in 1970. 1970 proved to be a wonderful year as it was also the year he married the love of his life — Janice Robinson from Ellisville, Mississippi. For the next ten years, they would serve as missionaries with the International Ministries Division of American Baptist Churches. During their missionary tenure, Lotz traveled extensively — often to countries under communist control — with a focus on lecturing,

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preaching, and serving as a diplomatic representative to government officials on questions of religious freedom and Baptist life.

REV. DR. DENTON LOTZ, THE LONGEST-SERVING AND MOST WIDELY TRAVELED GENERAL SECRETARY IN BAPTIST WORLD ALLIANCE HISTORY, DESCRIBED HIMSELF AS “A DRUM MAJOR FOR EVANGELISM, RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, AND HUMAN RIGHTS.”

“He leaves a massive footprint in the history of the BWA,” said Rev. Dr. David Coffey, former Baptist World Alliance President (20052010). “He was a missionary theologian, an inspiring preacher and evangelist, and a formidable defender of religious liberty and human rights. He fearlessly spoke truth to both secular and religious panels. He was warm, personable, and always delighted to see you. We have 47 million in our Baptist family, and I reckon a high percentage of those were known to Denton by name.” Among his many contributions to the BWA, Lotz helped launch the Baptist International Conference on Theological Education (BICTE) in 1991, which was attended by Baptist educators from 52 countries.

He was also instrumental in relocating the Baptist World Alliance office to its current facility in Falls Church, Virginia, USA, in 2001. In July 2005 at the BWA Centennial Congress in Birmingham, England, Lotz unveiled the Living Water initiative, a strategic plan designed to enlist and equip local Baptists for evangelism and servant leadership. Since its inception, Living Water events have taken place around the world from Cuba to Bangladesh with more than 4,500 registered delegates in attendance who have engaged in prayer, focused Bible study, evangelism, and leadership training. Throughout this ministry, he remained a committed family man who taught his children and grandchildren the value of connecting with

During this time, Lotz also served as a professor of missions and homiletics at the Baptist Theological Seminary in Rüschlikon, Switzerland, where he founded the Summer Institute of Theological Education (SITE) — a short-term, intensive theological program for Eastern European pastors and leaders. While ministering in Europe, he often traveled alongside Gerhard Claas, who was serving at the time as General Secretary of the European Baptist Federation. When Claas was selected to be the next BWA General Secretary, he invited Lotz to be his deputy. Lotz joined the BWA staff in 1980 in the role of associate secretary, with responsibilities including oversight of the Division of Evangelism and Education as well as Relief and Development. He would later be appointed as Director of the BWA Youth Department as well. After Claas suddenly passed away in a tragic automobile accident in 1988, Lotz was designated as Interim General Secretary. Shortly thereafter, the BWA Executive Committee voted to permanently appoint him, which was affirmed by the BWA General Council later that year. During nearly two decades of service as General Secretary, Rev. Lotz served alongside five BWA presidents and 71 Vice Presidents as well as numerous commission chairs and staff members. He led preparations for four Baptist World Congresses with a cumulative attendance of 42,000 people from more than 100 countries. He oversaw 20 General Council meetings as well as 16 Annual Gatherings.

Throughout his ministry, Denton Lotz met three American presidents, including two pictured here. (L-R) Jane & Franklin Graham, Denton Lotz, President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush, Janice Lotz, and President Jimmy Carter.

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DENTON LOTZ

family,” said Rev. Dr. Elijah Brown, BWA General Secretary. “From my first individual meeting with Denton in 2007 until the present, he offered regular and meaningful encouragement and insight. While I feel a keen sense of loss in Denton’s passing, I believe his leadership and legacy will continue to shape and mold the Baptist World Alliance for years to come.” A live-streamed memorial service celebrating his life and legacy was hosted by the Baptist World Alliance at Columbia Baptist Church in Falls Church, Virginia, USA, on May 30, 2019. The service included staff reflections from former BWA staff members Alan Stanford and Minnie Jackson as well as a video tribute that included messages from former BWA Presidents Billy Kim and David Coffey. To view the service or to share a personal tribute, visit bit.ly/honoring-denton. His was a life well-lived with a legacy that will echo in eternity. As a global Baptist family, we take comfort in the knowledge that we will see him again and worship our Lord together. “Knowing him, he is making plans for when we meet again, calling each of the angels by name and giving them instructions for a great Congress in eternity with the participation of the thousands who came to know Jesus through his preaching, the many who learned to love the Bible through his teaching, those who were poor and needy that received his material help and comfort, and those who were persecuted that received his defense, encouragement, and support,” said Raúl Scialabba, BWA Vice President from 2000-2005.

Preaching at a Baptist Convention in Brazil in January 2006.

and serving others. “Connecting with others is what Dad did best, be it with a crowd of thousands from a church pulpit, at a Bible study, or around a shared meal with Mom, his children, grandchildren, or with strangers that crossed his path. In fact, some of those strangers became our dearest friends,” said daughter Alena Oggier. In addition to his service as BWA General Secretary, Rev. Lotz was twice elected President of the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA), an organization chartered in 1893 to work with government and educational institutions to disseminate principles of religious liberty and human rights throughout the world. The IRLA tradition of rotating presidents every two years was broken with Lotz, who was reelected an unprecedented four times. Upon his re-election in 2002, then IRLA Secretary General John Graz said, “We are honored to have someone like Denton whose passion for religious freedom is demonstrated in his daily commitment to defend human rights for people everywhere.” Upon his retirement from the BWA, Graz expressed the gratitude of the IRLA: “Thank you for your convictions, for your intelligent way of expressing your faith, and the values in which you believe without destroying bridges between yourself and others.” His commitment to racial reconciliation was the catalyst for the formation of the BWA Special Commission on Baptists Against Racism and Ethnic Conflict, which resulted in the Harare Declaration in 1993 and the Decade for Racial Justice. Because of his tireless advocacy for human rights and religious freedom, the BWA named its annual human rights award in his honor, with eleven individuals receiving the Denton and Janice Lotz Human Rights Award since 2006.

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His tireless effort and commitment were matched only by his love for people and unwavering optimism even in the face of great challenge.

Rev. Lotz is survived by his loving wife, Janice, their three children, and twelve grandchildren. Please continue to join us in prayer for Janice and the entire Lotz family.

Former BWA Staff Member Minnie Jackson speaking at a memorial service for Denton Lotz hosted by the BWA and Columbia Baptist Church in Falls Church, Virginia, USA.

“In whatever country he arrived, he was welcomed as someone who brought hope to Baptists wherever they were and in whatever situation they found themselves,” said Wendy Ryan, former BWA Communications Director. “There was never a time I traveled with him as part of a BWA team that I did not see him received with great joy.” His ministry took him around the world from African villages to the Oval Office. His friendships included globally-recognized faith leaders like Rev. Billy Graham as well as leaders of state such as former United States President Jimmy Carter. Upon his retirement from the BWA in 2007, Graham wrote, “Your strong leadership and personal faith has been an inspiration and blessing to me.” Carter shared the following: “As I think of all the BWA has accomplished for Baptists around the world in the past twenty years, I know that your gifted leadership has helped to make it all possible. You have served a great organization with conviction and honor.” After his “retirement,” Lotz continued to travel and preach in addition to serving as Senior Pastor of Tremont Temple Baptist Church in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. He also remained active in the life and ministry of the BWA, including providing encouragement to the organization’s two General Secretaries who followed him. “Denton Lotz was one of the most significant Baptist leaders of the second half of the twentieth century. His profound leadership touched countless lives around the world as he championed evangelism, religious freedom, and the ministry of the global Baptist

Denton Lotz served on the board of directors for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and is pictured here with his wife Janice and Rev. Billy Graham.

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TOGETHER 2020

TOGETHER 2020:

PLANNING FOR THE WORLD’S MOST DIVERSE BAPTIST GATHERING “ One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism.” This has long been the rallying cry of the Baptist World Alliance. From July 22-26, 2020, thousands of Baptists from around the world will gather together as one in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for Together 2020.

MANY NATIONS. MULTIPLE LANGUAGES. ONE VOICE. IMAGINE THE IMPACT OF THOUSANDS OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS JOINING TOGETHER IN UNIFIED PRAYER FOR THE WORLD. REGISTER TODAY AT BWA2020.ORG TO BE PART OF THIS POWERFUL EVENT.

Together is the theme of the 22nd Baptist World Congress, a quinquennial event hosted by the BWA. As the most globally diverse gathering of Baptists in the world, the Baptist World Congress provides a worship experience like no other. “As a global family of 240 member bodies in 125 countries and territories with 47 million members, God is using Baptists around the world to impact the kingdom every day,” says Elijah Brown, BWA General Secretary. “The Baptist World Congress provides an amazing, life-changing opportunity to celebrate God’s work together, to learn together, to worship together as a family, and to return home with renewed vision to impact the world for Christ.” Throughout the event, participants will hear a diverse group of speakers from every region of the world, attend Bible studies led by scholars and pastors in multiple languages, join in mission projects, choose from more than 40 workshops, and celebrate together as a global family through a commissioning Lord’s Supper on the final morning of the event. The Congress will, for the first time, include the Baptist Youth World Conference, which has previously been held at a different time and venue.

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TOGETHER 2020

“THE BWA CONGRESS PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE TO GATHER TOGETHER AND BE PART OF THE BAPTIST GLOBAL FAMILY REGARDLESS OF AGE, AS WELL AS OFFERING ADULTS, YOUTH, AND CHILDREN THE GATEWAY FOR A MEANINGFUL ENCOUNTER WITH EACH OTHER TO DRAW US CLOSER WITH CHRIST, CLOSER TOGETHER AS A GLOBAL FAMILY, AND CLOSER TOGETHER IN COLLABORATIVE MINISTRY”

“Being part of Baptist World Youth events in the past has been one of the most transformative aspects of my spiritual journey. That’s why I am so excited about Together 2020,” says Amanda Haines, BWA Youth Department President. “We have an incredible lineup for the youth stage this year, and we look forward to what God will do both in the youth venue and in the times when we gather together as a unified, multi-generational Baptist family.” With streams for children, youth, and adults, families and people of all ages can experience this amazing event together. “The BWA Congress provides an opportunity for everyone to gather together and be part of the Baptist global family regardless of age, as well as offering adults, youth, and children the gateway for a meaningful encounter with each other to draw us closer with Christ, closer together as a global family, and closer together in collaborative ministry,” says Carolina Mangieri, BWA Director of Global Events and Fellowship. In addition to celebration and fellowship, the Congress will be a time of service. The BWA is partnering with Mission Brazil, a ministry led by the Brazilian Baptist Convention, to offer mission opportunities before, during, and after the Congress. Attendees will be able to share the love of Christ through prayer, witness, and service within the region. Another highlight of the Baptist World Congress is the opportunity to experience music, dance, and art from around the world. The BWA is now accepting applications for individuals and groups that wish to share their creative talents with the wider Baptist family. The invitation is open to large and small vocal groups, instrumentalists, ensembles, dancers, and dramatists, as well as other artists.

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— C AROLINA MANGIERI BWA DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL EVENTS AND FELLOWSHIP

Preceding Together 2020, the BWA Women’s Department will host the Global Conference of Baptist Women from July 17-20, also in Rio de Janeiro. “You don’t want to miss the Global Conference of Baptist Women! There you will meet your sisters from all across the globe to worship, pray, cry, laugh, learn, dance, and grow together and closer to God,” says Moreen Sharp, Executive Director of the BWA Women’s Department. “We are part of such a beautiful body of women, and it is an incredible time of joining hands and hearts as global sisters. We come in all of our beautiful diversity because we are unified in our love for Jesus.” The people of Brazil are excited to share their beautiful country with the world, drawing on the amazing legacy of the 10th Baptist World Congress hosted there in 1960 and building upon it with a vision for the 21st century. The 10th Congress saw the largest Congress attendance on record since the first was held in London, England, in 1905. At the closing service, Rev. Billy Graham preached to a packed Maracanã Football Stadium with a capacity of nearly 200,000. “We anticipate God moving in amazing ways yet again as we return to Rio for Together 2020. You’ll want to be there!” says Jerry Carlisle, BWA Congress Committee Chairperson. “Our Congress team has been praying and planning for years, and we want as many of our global Baptist brothers and sisters to attend as possible. Won’t you join us?” For more information or to register now for the Baptist World Congress, visit BWA2020.org.

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WORLD CONGRESS

In addition to keynote sessions, the Baptist World Congress will feature workshops to address theological, ecclesial, missional, and justice concerns that affect the lives of Baptist Christians.

FEATURES SPEAKERS FROM EVERY REGION OF THE WORLD

To learn more about the sessions and workshops, visit BWA2020.org.

The 22nd Baptist World Congress will feature dynamic communicators from every geographical region and multiple generations, each drawing from unique cultural and ministry experiences in order to share practical, biblical insights for life and mission.

YOUTH KEYNOTE SPEAKERS*

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Elijah Brown United States

Elijah Brown has been serving as the Baptist World Alliance General Secretary since January 2018. His past service includes roles as BWA Regional Secretary for North America/General Secretary for the North American Baptist Fellowship as well as Executive Vice President of the 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative, a Christian human rights organization based in Virginia, USA.

“I can think of no better preview of heaven than to worship with Baptists from more than 100 countries and to hear God’s Word preached by passionate and powerful communicators from every part of the world,” says Elijah Brown, BWA General Secretary. “I am eager to hear how each speaker will challenge, inspire, and equip our global Baptist family, and I am humbled by the opportunity to share the platform with such incredible servants of God.”

Elie Haddad Lebanon

Elie Haddad is president of the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary in Beirut, Lebanon, which serves the Arabic-speaking church throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Haddad studies and speaks on Missional Ecclesiology – how local churches share Christ with the community – and he is passionate about equipping leaders to engage in new and innovative ministries in the Arab world.

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John Kok serves as Senior Pastor of Kuala Lumpur Baptist Church in Malaysia. He is a former chairman of the Malaysia Baptist Convention, former Vice President of the Asia Pacific Baptist Federation (APBF), and former BWA Vice President. John Kok Malaysia

Ngwedla Paul Msiza South Africa Karen Kirlew has been a pastor with the Jamaica Baptist Union (JBU) for 17 years. In 2018, Kirlew made history when the JBU installed her as president, the first woman to hold the position in the union’s 170-year history.

Karen Kirlew Jamaica

Fanyana Peter Mhlophe South Africa

Fanyana Peter Mhlophe has been a pastor in South Africa since 1976 in addition to being a prominent leader in the Baptist Convention of South Africa, including tenures as President and later as General Secretary. He is also the founder of YOUNEBA, short for “You Will Never Be Alone,” which focuses on the relationship between pastors and church lay leaders.

Robert Smith, Jr. United States

Paul Msiza is the second African to be President of the Baptist World Alliance. Prior to serving as President, he was a BWA Vice President for five years and has been actively involved in the worldwide Baptist family since 2000. In addition to his role as BWA President, he serves as senior pastor of Peniel Salem Baptist Church in Pretoria, South Africa.

Robert Smith, Jr. teaches Christian Preaching at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. A popular teacher, preacher, and writer, his book, Doctrine That Dances: Bringing Doctrinal Preaching and Teaching to Life, was named one of the 25 most influential books in preaching in the last 25 years.

Flavio Ramos, a Baptist pastor from Brazil, served as a missionary in Morocco and is Founder and President of the Evangelical Arab Mission of Brazil.

Flavio Ramos Brazil

Reneé Embree MacVicar Canada

Emmanuel Oloruntoba Arotile is the pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church in southern Nigeria and coordinator of Lifeway Leadership Initiative, a ministry dedicated to the identification, development, and employment of youth leaders.

Gabriel Stephen, originally from Nigeria, serves as a youth pastor at a Baptist church in Norway and a researcher at the Norwegian School of Leadership and Theology.

Gabriel Stephen Nigeria/Norway

Reneé Embree MacVicar has a passion for raising up young leaders who are on mission with Jesus. She has served as an Associate Pastor, Director of Youth and Family Ministries for the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada, and Director of the Next Generation Ministry Program at Acadia Divinity College.

Emmanuel Oloruntoba Arotile Nigeria

*For the first time, the Congress will also include the Baptist Youth World Conference, which has previously been held at a different time and venue.

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VENEZUELA

PARTNERING TOGETHER

TO REACH VENEZUELA

BWA President-Elect Tomás Mackey translates as Manuel Mendoza, then General Secretary of the Venezuelan Baptist Convention, shares with attendees of the 2019 Annual Gathering about the challenges facing the people of Venezuela.

January 23, 2019, began as an ordinary day for Gregory José Pérez, a faithful believer serving as the volunteer Executive Director of the National Baptist Youth Union of Venezuela. He needed a part to repair a computer, so he headed to a store in the Venezuelan city of San Felipe. Suddenly he heard gunshots, so he fled to the home of a family friend nearby. Venezuelan Youth Leader Gregory José Pérez

Responding to protests in the area, police soon began a search of the neighborhood and arrested Pérez alongside 30 others, including numerous children ranging in age from 12 to 14. He was beaten and imprisoned despite any evidence pointing to his involvement with the protests. In partnership with the National Baptist Convention of Venezuela and the Union of Baptists in Latin America, the Baptist World Alliance composed and distributed a letter to government authorities within Venezuela, urging that human and legal rights be honored, including the removal of all charges against Pérez and those arbitrarily arrested with him. As the days in prison turned to weeks, Pérez found strength in the prayers and support of Baptists around the world. “I was amazed how many people were praying for me,” said Pérez. “I received letters from around the world from people who said they were praying and that Christ would protect me.” The BWA also worked to mobilize a wider response through embassy offices. These efforts thankfully aided in securing Pérez’s release, yet challenges still remain.

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Due to its political and economic challenges, Venezuela is currently facing the largest economic collapse without a declared war in recent history. The nation is facing inflation of up to 4% an hour and significant shortages of basic necessities like toilet paper and fruit. “The care and concern of the BWA extends beyond the needs of Mr. Pérez to all the people of Venezuela,” said General Secretary Elijah Brown. “At this particular moment in the life of Venezuela, the BWA and Baptists around the world stand in prayer for the peace and wellbeing of the country,” says Brown. In addition to justice efforts on behalf of Mr. Pérez, BWAid offered $5,000 emergency grants to six Baptists conventions and organizations working alongside the people of Venezuela. This includes ministries that are providing support within the country, offering programs that provide basic care and employment for displaced Venezuelans, and empowering church leaders who are continuing to live a vibrant witness within a challenging context. To better assess the needs, Brown and Rachel Conway-Doel, facilitator of the newly established Baptist World Alliance Forum for Aid and Development (BFAD), traveled to the Venezuelan border in June. BFAD’s goal is to coordinate response efforts, create greater impact, and strengthen partnerships on the ground.

Their visit included time with families who recently crossed the national border with only the possessions they could carry. They represent a small portion of the estimated 4 million people who have left the country heading for neighboring Latin American countries and beyond. This exodus of Venezuelan citizens is one of the most significant displacements of people Latin America has ever experienced.

“In the last four years alone, Baptist leaders have helped train and raise up 101 new missionaries inside Venezuela, spread across the country working to give help and hope. This year alone, these new missionaries have helped start 32 new churches.”

— E LIJAH BROWN BAPTIST WORLD ALLIANCE GENERAL SECRETARY

Millions still remain in Venezuela where medicine is scarce and public education offerings have been reduced from five days a week to two. But faithful leaders press on, seeking daily to meet spiritual needs as well as physical needs. “In the last four years alone, Baptist leaders have helped train and raise up 101 new missionaries inside Venezuela, spread across the country working to give help and hope,” said Brown. “This year alone, these new missionaries have helped start 32 new churches.” In addition to evangelistic efforts, many churches have launched new social projects in the last two years with around 50% offering programs to address hunger needs. Conway-Doel traveled to Venezuela in October to provide further encouragement and support, including visiting with pastors and volunteers about social ministry projects, touring Seminario Teológico Bautista de Venezuela, and speaking to nearly 500 youth at the National Union of Baptist Youth Congress. “Despite the crisis, the Baptist family in Venezuela is managing to share the love of Christ through practical social ministry alongside faithful evangelistic ministry,” said Conway-Doel. “Drawing from Acts 1 and Job 42, we all must continue to look for God’s timing, trust the God who sees everything, and mobilize together to support our Venezuelan sisters and brothers.” Please continue to partner with us in prayer for Venezuela. If you wish to partner financially, visit bwanet.org/give.

Refugees are fleeing from Venezuela by the millions, one of the most significant displacements of people in Latin American history.

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HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD

BURCHEL TAYLOR RECEIVES 2019 HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD IN RECOGNITION OF LONGSTANDING MINISTRY Burchel Taylor, seasoned pastor within the Jamaica Baptist Union and global Baptist leader, received the 2019 Denton and Janice Lotz Human Rights Award at the 2019 Baptist World Alliance Annual Gathering in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Taylor acknowledged that his ministry is merely one facet of a collaborative effort of many to respond to the needs in his region of the world. “I do regard myself as actually representative of a great body of fellow saints and servants who by the enabling of the Holy Spirit have been able to give of our best, responding to the divine call to service for the welfare and wellbeing of our sisters and brothers in the Caribbean region,” said Taylor. He is recognized not only in Jamaica but also throughout the Caribbean for his courageous leadership and advocacy. Vincent Wood, Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Barbados, West Indies, described Taylor as “a committed Christian who loves the Lord, a humanitarian, an outstanding Caribbean theologian, and a God-called Bible teacher and preacher.” In addition to his local ministry, Taylor has served internationally for many years in various capacities within the Baptist World Alliance, including participation within the Academic and Theological Education Workgroup from 1995-2010, Freedom and Justice Commission from 2000-2005, Commission on Christian Ethics

from 2010-2015, and the Human Resources Committee from 2010-2015. He also served on the BWA Executive Committee as a Vice President from 2010-2015, as well as being President of the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship (CBF), one of six regional fellowships within the Baptist World Alliance, from 2006-2010. “Burchel is man of character and compassion who inspires others with his vision, faithfulness, and effectiveness in living out the Gospel in a way that impacts people physically, socially, and spiritually,” said BWA General Secretary Elijah Brown. “It is our honor to be able to recognize his legacy of ministry.” Previous recipients of the award include Christer Daelander of Sweden in 2018, Cynthia Maung of Myanmar/Thailand in 2017, Ilie Coada of Moldova in 2014, Glen Stassen of the United States in 2013, Edgar Palacios of El Salvador in 2012, Wati Aier of India in 2011, Leena Lavanya of India in 2009, Dennis Datta of Bangladesh in 2008, João and Nora Matwawana of Angola in 2007, and Gustavo Parajón of Nicaragua in 2006.

Established in 2006, the Denton and Janice Lotz Human Rights Award is given by the Baptist World Alliance for significant and effective activities to secure, protect, restore or preserve human rights. Burchel Taylor giving his acceptance speech at the 2019 BWA Annual Gathering in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Having served in full-time pastoral ministry in his home country of Jamaica for more than fifty-four years and as a human rights advocate internationally for decades, Taylor leaves a legacy of commitment to issues of human rights, justice, freedom, and dignity. “It is with profound humility and gratitude that I accept this honor. I can only say that it is by the grace of God in Christ Jesus and the enabling of the Holy Spirit that I was able to do what by the discernment of my brethren, made me worthy to be so honored,” said Taylor. “I have always tried my best to do what I consider to be the will of God in the interest of our human flourishing and the common good. I am well aware of how far short of the ideal the efforts have fallen from time to time because of my own vulnerability and frailties. The amazing thing is that in spite of this the sufficient grace of God has worked to the extent to have caught the eyes and imagination of my brethren.” His areas of focus have included healthcare, ministry to the homeless, education, and legal aid. HEALTHCARE: In Taylor’s home country of Jamaica, thousands of citizens were deprived of quality healthcare due to poverty and an under-resourced public system. Through his church (Bethel Baptist Church), Taylor established a facility to provide healthcare to the poor. The facility

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caters to the whole person and is served by a cadre of caring and experienced professionals, including counselors, doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. HOMELESS MINISTRY: Homelessness has been a growing phenomenon in Jamaica, with the rising costs of living and economic hardship driving many to the streets. Driven by his commitment to affirming and protecting the dignity of every person, Taylor established a shelter that offers a safe place to sleep, as well as hot meals and baths. EDUCATION: Believing access to education to be a human right, Taylor has established numerous early childhood facilities in economically deprived communities over the course of his ministry. To combat illiteracy, he also established one of Jamaica’s longest running adult education institutions. LEGAL AID: Recognizing the likelihood of victimization among the poor who are unable to afford legal support, Taylor’s formed a team of attorneys who offer their services pro-bono to scores of individuals on a weekly basis.

BWA President Paul Msiza and Janice Lotz present the 2019 Denton and Janice Lotz Human Rights Award to Burchel Taylor.

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BAPTIST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION (BICTE)

Baptist International Conference on Theological Education

SHINES A LIGHT ON WOMEN IN BAPTIST LIFE

BY TONY CARTLEDGE & J. MERRITT JOHNSTON Trisha Miller Manarin, then Coordinator of the BWA Division on Mission, Evangelism, and Justice, facilitates a Question & Answer panel. Photo Credit: Stephen Stookey

The 9th Baptist International Conference on Theological Education (BICTE), hosted by the Baptist World Alliance, convened in July in Nassau, The Bahamas, for three days of plenaries, breakout sessions, roundtable discussions, and panels. Drawing more than 200 attendees from 33 countries, the event centered on the theme of “TogetHER: Re-imagining, Re-reading HERStory in the Church.” “BICTE was a time of rich theological exploration. The six plenary presenters and eighteen respondents, women and men, came from all six regional bodies of the BWA,” said Trisha Miller Manarin, who was serving as Coordinator of the BWA Division on Mission, Evangelism, and Justice. “We were blessed by the movement of the Holy Spirit as together we listened, prayed, pondered, worshipped, and enjoyed times of fellowship. I am thankful for all who contributed to the success of this conference and give thanks to God.” BWA General Secretary Elijah Brown addressed the attendees in the opening session, expressing appreciation for women’s contributions to the church and for theological education around the world. “Building upon the strong tradition of biblical women advancing the Kingdom of

God, the BWA continues to affirm the calling God places on the lives of women,” said Brown. The first plenary session was centered on the unique contributions of women in ministry. Molly Marshall (USA), Central Baptist Seminary President, shared a poignant presentation featuring personal anecdotes from her decades of ministry. “I believe that women bring particular grace gifts to ministry, and their inclusion is transformative for Christian identity and practice,” said Marshall. Respondents to her presentation included professor Frank Rees from Australia, Baptist World Alliance Women’s Department President Ksenija Magda from Croatia, and Caribbean Baptist Fellowship General Secretary Everton Jackson from Jamaica. The second plenary focused on “Baptist Women and Spiritual Formation Across Generations,” which included an inspiring biography of Akiko Matsumara presented by Eiko Kanamaru of Japan. She was unable to attend in person, so her paper was read by Leo Thorne from USA. Respondents included professor Lina Toth from Lithuania/UK, professor Angela Reed from Canada/USA, and professor Nora Lozano from Mexico/USA.

Drawing from her experience as a Bible translator, Valérie Duval-Poujol addressed the impact of Bible translations on women’s engagement in church and society. Photo Credit: Stephen Stookey

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The third plenary featured an informative paper by biblical scholar Valérie Duval-Poujol of France about how Bible translations have affected women’s engagement in church and society. “We shall encourage places of debate like our BICTE to share about these issues. Where are the places in your own context where these issues can be addressed? It is not about creating opposite camps, inclusive Bibles against non-inclusive Bibles, with competing Bible translations. It is about building teams with theologians of different backgrounds to try together to see how to be faithful to the Greek and Hebrew and how to share God’s good news to our world,” said Duval-Poujol. Respondents included historian Melody Maxwell from USA/Canada, pastor Kilama Dennis from Uganda, and professor Dinorah Mendez from Mexico.

Anna Robbins, President of Acadia Divinity College, speaks as part of a panel focused on the topic “Encouraging Women in Ministry.” Photo Credit: Stephen Stookey

The fourth session centered on “The Place of Women in a Baptist Theology of Ministry,” including a presentation from British theologian Paul Fiddes, who argued that a Baptist theology should encourage women in ministerial roles. Respondents included professor Amy Chilton from the United States, professor Atola Longkumer from India, and Baptist Union of Poland President Mateusz Wichary from Poland with Wichary presenting a complementarian counterpoint to Fiddes’ stance. The fifth session addressed “Oppressed Baptist Women and How They Shape the Church Today.” Presenter André Bokundoa-Bo-Likabe of the DR Congo was unable to attend in person, so his paper was read by African colleague Kilama Dennis. Respondents included non-profit director Alia Abboud from Lebanon, leadership consultant AK Lama from India, and professor Miyon Chung from Korea/USA. The final presentation focused on “Vocational Call: Family, Society, and Ministry.” Presenter Regina Sudheer-Alexander of India related a variety of intriguing stories about women who have contributed to the life of the church and other facets of ministry despite facing rejection and obstacles – becoming entrepreneurial in their approach to ministering in a variety of capacities. Respondents included professor Louise Kretzschmar from South Africa, professor Elizabeth Newman from USA, and professor Guilherme Almeida from Brazil/USA. The conference concluded with a panel discussion featuring 11 representative global pastors, counselors, and theologians who

Throughout the event, artist and minister Ali Taylor creating a commissioned piece entitled “And Your Daughters Shall Prophesy.”

responded to questions contributed by local attendees and those viewing via livestream. BWA President Paul Msiza from South Africa gave an impassioned response about the need to encourage women in ministry. To complement the rich theological content, the conference sought to leverage technology as well as the arts in order to enrich the experience of those attending in person and globally. The event was live-streamed for the first time in a concerted effort to engage participants around the world, including students enrolled in academic coursework focused on women in ministry at the John Leland Center for Theological Studies, Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity, and Campbell University. Throughout the event, mosaic artist and minister Ali Taylor created a commissioned art piece entitled “And Your Daughters Shall Prophesy.” Renderings are available for purchase at mosaiccreations.co.uk with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the Baptist World Alliance. “BICTE was an incredibly inspiring and thought-provoking conference. Sharing resources, networking and connecting with others was wonderfully energizing, and I’m so thankful to have had the opportunity to attend,” said Rev. Dr. Patricia Hernandez (USA), Associate General Secretary for American Baptist Women in Ministry and Transition Ministries. “Although women make up half the church, they are often overlooked, underused and unnamed. Through the ‘Re-imagining and Re-reading HerStory in the Church’ Conference, women’s voices were heard, their stories told, and their names remembered.”

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BAPTIST-CATHOLIC INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE

BAPTIST-CATHOLIC INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE JOINT COMMISSION CONVENES IN POLAND

L-R (Front Row): Rev. Dr. William Henn O.F.M. Cap. (Italy), Sr. Dr. Susan Wood S.C.L. (USA), Sr. Dr. Marie-Hélène Robert N.D.A. (France), Rev. Dr. Frank Rees (Australia), Rev. Dr. Lina Toth (Lithuania/UK), Dr. Elizabeth Newman (USA), Rev. Dr. Stephen Fernandes (India); back row, L-R: Dr. Peter Casarella (USA), Dr. Derek Hatch (USA), Rev. Avelino Gonzalez-Ferrer (USA), Dr. Valerie Duval-Poujol (France), Rev. Dr. Paul S. Fiddes (UK), Bishop Arthur Serratelli (USA), Rev. Dr. Jorge A. Scampini O.P. (Argentina), Rev. Tony Peck (UK), Rev. Dr. Tomás Mackey (Argentina), Rev. Dr. Steven R. Harmon (USA), Rev. Prof. Przemslaw Kantyka (Poland), Rev. Dr. Glenroy Lalor (Jamaica), Rev. Dr. Mateusz Wichary (Poland).

Twenty participants from around the world gathered in December for the third session of the Baptist-Catholic International Dialogue, a series of strategic bilateral conversations between the Baptist World Alliance and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

The dialogue centered on the theme of “Challenges to Common Witness,” giving attention to contemporary circumstances in church and society that represent not only challenges faced by Baptists and Catholics in fulfilling their summons to offer common witness to Christ, but also opportunities for bearing witness to the Gospel together. This year’s assembly was hosted by BWA’s member body, the Baptist Union of Poland, at the Warsaw Baptist Theological Seminary in Warsaw, Poland. Last year’s delegation was hosted by Roman Catholic leadership at the Domus Internationalis Paulus VI in Rome, Italy, with the 2017 delegation being hosted by Baptist leadership at Truett Theological Seminary on the campus of Baylor University in Waco, Texas, USA.

This year’s discussion built on the first meeting’s consideration of “Sources of Common Witness” and the second meeting’s focus on the “Contexts of Common Witness” in six continents of the world. These sub-themes are dimensions of the overall theme of the third phase of dialogue, “The Dynamic of the Gospel and the Witness of the Church.”

The 2019 gathering represents the third phase of international conversations between Baptists and Catholics, with previous dialogues occurring from 1984-1988 and from 2006-2010. Similar initiatives in Baptist history include a multi-year dialogue between the BWA and the World Methodist Council from 2014-2017, the Anglican Communion from 2000-2005, the Mennonite World Conference from 19891992, and the Lutheran World Federation from 1986-1989.

The Baptist delegation was led by Co-chair Rev. Dr. Frank Rees, Associate Professor and Chair of the Academic Board at the University of Divinity in Australia, and the Catholic delegation was led by Co-chair Bishop Arthur Serratelli, Bishop of Paterson, New Jersey, USA.

“I am thankful for the Baptist leaders from around the world who invested their time to participate in the recent Baptist-Catholic dialogue,” said Rev. Dr. Elijah Brown, BWA General Secretary. “The world today needs the hope of the Gospel, and while Baptists and Catholics retain their distinctive identity, it is valuable to gather and to share resources to further our common witness in Jesus Christ.”

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The program included an opening worship service featuring representatives from the Polish Ecumenical Council and the Polish Evangelical Alliance on Monday, December 9, and a meeting with Cardinal Kazimierz Nycz, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Warsaw, on Thursday, December 12.

The Baptist delegation consisted of members and persons specially invited as observers. Members participating in this round of conversations include Rev. Dr. Paul S. Fiddes (UK), Dr. Derek Hatch (USA), Rev. Dr. Glenroy Lalor (Jamaica), Rev. Dr. Tomás Mackey (Argentina), Dr. Elizabeth Newman (USA), and Rev. Dr. Lina Toth (Lithuania/UK). Rev. Tony Peck (United Kingdom), General Secretary of the European Baptist Federation, and Dr. Valerie DuvalPoujol (France) were observers for this round of conversations. Rev.

Dr. Mateusz Wichary (Poland), President of the Polish Baptist Union and Vice President of the Warsaw Baptist Theological Seminary, served as local host and participated in sessions of the dialogue.

“The dialogue was a very positive experience, with much progress made toward our goal of envisioning ways to bear witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ together,” said Harmon.

“It was a privilege for me to participate in this year’s meeting of the Baptist-Catholic International Dialogue. We came together from different parts of the world to consider our shared convictions and concerns about communicating the Gospel to today’s societies and cultures. Beyond the papers given on both sides are the genuine friendships that we enjoy together. Despite our continuing differences, as Baptists and Catholics we experienced the precious gift of unity in the Body of Christ, especially as we worshipped together at the beginning and end of each day,” said Peck. “I felt very proud of our Polish Baptists who provided such a warm welcome and hospitality at their centre at Radosc, which means ‘joy’. In particular, our gratitude goes to their President, Mateusz Wichary, who both served us and participated in our discussions.”

The Baptist-Catholic Joint Commission will meet annually through 2021 with the fourth gathering to be hosted by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity in Rome, Italy, from December 7-11, 2020. The theme will be “Forms of Common Witness.”

The Catholic delegation consisted of members Dr. Peter Casarella (USA), Rev. Dr. Stephen Fernandes (India), Rev. Dr. William Henn O.F.M. Cap. (Italy), Rev. Prof. Przemslaw Kantyka (Poland), Sr. Dr. Marie-Hélène Robert N.D.A. (France), Rev. Dr. Jorge A. Scampini O.P. (Argentina), and Sr. Dr. Susan Wood S.C.L. (USA). The secretaries for the co-chairs and contributors to this article are Rev. Dr. Steven R. Harmon, Associate Professor of Historical Theology at Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity, Boiling Springs, North Carolina, USA, on behalf of the BWA and Rev. Avelino Gonzalez-Ferrer of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

In addition to the presentation of theological papers, the assembly also included daily opportunities to worship together.

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ANNUAL GATHERING

DRAWS ATTENDEES FROM 50 COUNTRIES Nearly 400 attendees from 50 countries traveled to beautiful Nassau, The Bahamas, in July for the 2019 Baptist World Alliance Annual Gathering. Hosted by The Bahamas National Missionary and Educational Convention, the event included worship led by Baptists from every region of the world, powerful presentations within various commissions, critical planning within numerous committees, and a vibrant cultural night featuring Bahamian food, music, and arts.

five core ministry areas. He also invited all in attendance to engage their respective communities in Go 2020, a global initiative to intentionally share the Gospel and plant new churches in May 2020.

One of the most celebrated aspects of the gathering was the unanimous General Council vote to approve the membership application of the Zomi Baptist Convention of Myanmar (ZBCM), making it the 240th member body in the Alliance. Established in 1995, ZBCM has 27,964 members in 190 churches and has convention offices located in Kalaymyo, Myanmar.

The Annual Gathering is unquestionably a highpoint of BWA life and ministry each year, but it is just a small part in the larger Gospel calling shared by Baptists worldwide. If you plan to participate in the Go 2020 Challenge, email communications@bwanet.org to share your story or for more information.

“What would happen if all 47 million Baptists personally shared the Gospel?” said Brown. “Lives would be changed and our world impacted forever.”

Facing repression from their government and its military, thousands of the Zomi people have fled to countries like Malaysia and India as refugees. In these communities and those that remain within Myanmar, the Zomi people have remained faithful in growing and developing churches. After the unanimous vote of approval, ZBCM Consultant and Superintendent Gin Khan Khual addressed the Council.

He expressed their excitement about contributing to the global work of the BWA in areas of mission, evangelism, and theological reflection as well as their eagerness to welcome members of the BWA family to their country. Two Bahamians leading the way in the Junkanoo Parade at the Bahamian Cultural Night.

Special sessions were held to discuss the religious persecution taking place in more than 75% of the world as well as the increasing levels of migration resulting from economic and political turmoil. A special time of prayer was offered on behalf of Venezuelan Baptists as well as Heshan de Silva, President of the Sri Lanka Baptist Sangamaya and Chairman of the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka, who was instrumental in leading a response to the tragic church bombings on Easter Sunday 2019. Each of the six regional secretaries shared updates about the ministry happening within their parts of the world and General Secretary Elijah Brown shared specific ways God is moving through the BWA’s

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Lawrence B. “Larry” Coleman, died August 25, 2019, in Hampton, Virginia, USA. He was pastor of numerous Baptist churches in the United States, including Churchland Baptist Church in Chesapeake, Virginia, where he retired in 2016. Throughout his ministry, he was active in the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the BWA. Virginia Connally, lifelong Baptist and first female physician in Abilene, Texas, USA, died March 31, 2019, at the age of 106. In recognition of her service to others, she received the Distinguished Service Award from the Baptist Life Commission of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, the Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Medical Association, and the Legacy Award from the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Betty Dilday, member of the BWA Commission on Church Leadership from 2000-2010, died August 9, 2018, at the age of 87. In 2011, she was named Woman of Distinction by the Baylor University Women’s Council in Texas, USA, for her active involvement in church and denominational work and her leadership among Baptist women. In 2017, the Baylor Line Foundation awarded the Dilday family the title Baylor’s First Family. Gideon Makhanya, Baptist pastor and first General Secretary of the Baptist Convention of South Africa (1986-1989), died June 6, 2019. He led the negotiations between the Baptist Union of Southern Africa and the Baptist Convention of South Africa, which culminated in the Baptist Convention of South Africa’s independence. During his tenure as General Secretary, the convention secured membership into both the BWA and the All Africa Baptist Fellowship.

“Today the Lord has blessed the Zomi Baptist Convention of Myanmar to become a member of the Baptist World Alliance,” said Khual. “This is the result of much prayer. It has been a long journey, and today is the day we reach our final destination.”

Other highlights of the gathering included a celebration of preaching featuring sermonettes from Steven Laufer, Doreen Wynter, and Clifford Jones, Sr., as well as a question and answer panel related to sermon preparation moderated by Luiz Roberto Silvado.

IN MEMORIAM

Bob Morris, who faithfully served as the Chair of the European Baptist Federation Youth and Children Executive Committee, passed away July 13, 2019, after bravely battling a brain tumor. He was also a gifted youth minister, serving at Cirencester Baptist Church in the United Kingdom since 2004. Oscar Pereira-Garcia, recipient of a special award presented in 2012 by the Baptist World Alliance on behalf of the Chilean Union acknowledging his meaningful and outstanding contribution to Baptist churches over 50 years of great ministry, died September 23, 2018. Pereira-Garcia was a well-known Latin-American theologian, author, Bible translator, mentor to thousands, professor for 50 years, in addition to serving as President of Baptist Theological Seminary in Chile.

Leaders from the Zomi Baptist Convention of Myanmar (ZBCM), the newest BWA member body, pictured with BWA leaders.

Stefan Rogaczewski, treasurer of the Polish Baptist Union from 19651988, died in 2018. Rogaczewski also served as a pastor throughout Poland and was Regional Reverend of the Silesian District of the Polish Baptist Union from 1980-2003. From the 1960s-1980s, he represented the Polish Baptist Union at European Congresses and Baptist World Congresses. Aroldo Silva, BWA Commission on Ministry member from 20102015, died June 14, 2019. For over a decade, he pastored the Brazilian congregation of Columbia Baptist Church, a Baptist World Alliance Global Impact Church located next to the BWA Office in Falls Church, Virginia, USA. Roy J. Smith, Executive Director-Treasurer of the North Carolina Baptist Convention in the USA from 1984-1997, died on October 18, 2018. During his 43-year ministry, he served in various positions with the state convention, was a pastor, and played an integral role in the foundation of Wake Forest University Divinity School and Campbell Divinity School, both located in the USA. He also served as Cooperative Baptist Fellowship representative to the BWA. Marshall Leon Walker, former Director of Religious Activities at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, USA, and member of the Department of Communication at The Baptist Sunday School Board, died December 11, 2019. He was actively involved in the fellowship of the Baptist World Alliance, including key roles in the planning and execution of six Baptist World Congresses, most recently the 20th Baptist World Congress in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, in 2010. C. Terri Watson-Page, who faithfully served on the BWAid Committee (2005-2015) and the BWA Church Health and Effectiveness Workgroup (2005-2010), died September 7, 2018. She was a lifelong member of Trinity Baptist Church, in Bronx, NY, USA, pastored by BWA Vice President Rev. Dr. Naomi Tyler-Lloyd. Comfort Harris Weaver, Director of the National Women’s Missionary Union (NWMU), an auxiliary of the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention, died October 12, 2018, while attending the Baptist Women of Africa’s Western Sub-Region Conference in Ghana. Serving her second term as NWMU Director upon her untimely death, Weaver is credited with uniting a divided union and strengthening and moving the NWMU forward. James E. Wood, Jr., director of the Baptist Joint Committee in the USA from 1972-1980, died on March 24, 2019. An accomplished scholar of church-state relations, he wrote or edited more than 20 books on the subject, including Baptists and Human Rights, a publication of the BWA Commission on Human Rights. Wood spent much of his career in academia at Baylor University in the USA, and served as director of the school’s J.M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies.

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EDITORIAL

THE

BAPTIST WORLD

WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL OF LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHICH IS GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR, LIBERTY TO THE OPPRESSED, SIGHT TO THE BLIND AND FREEDOM FOR THE PRISONERS.

ALLIANCE FAMILY Warm greetings from South Africa in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to all our family in Christ the BWA family in our six regions AABF, APBF, CBF, EBF, NABF, and UBLA. I always give thanks to God for our forebearers in faith who obeyed the leading of the Holy Spirit to establish this global family and network of Baptists through the Baptist World Alliance.

Paul Msiza BWA President

The BWA means so much to all of us. As we come to the end of another quinquennium, we look back with words of praise and thanksgiving to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who has brought us this far. It is appropriate to use the words of Samuel the prophet of God: “Ebenezer; thus far the LORD has helped us.” We look forward with great anticipation for what the Lord Jesus Christ is doing in and through the BWA and what he will continue to do.

My tenure is coming to an end in July 2020. It is vey appropriate to express my thanks to all of you for your love and support to me and to the BWA. It is truly a great honor and privilege to serve the BWA family. I was so honored to visit so many members of the family around the world and to participate in the meetings with the staff, our regions, our various committees and commissions. These are the most precious moments in life and for which I am so thankful to God. I have learned so much, and I continue to learn and to be inspired by all of you. Most of the time people ask me to share the most impressive experience I had while serving in this position. There so many very

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impressive experiences that I had in the past four years, but if I have to mention one, that will be the joy of visiting and meeting with fellow Baptists around the world. I have experienced what Paul the apostle of the said in Romans 1:11-12: “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” During these visits, I have experienced the faith of our fellow Baptists in their contexts. Even though there is always that expectation from the guest to bring a word of encouragement, the truth is that I am always challenged by the faith of our sisters and brothers. When I look at the challenges that they face in their daily lives, I am challenged by their faith regardless of their situations. During the Annual Gathering and the Congresses, we have met in beautiful hotels that were well-equipped. However, in my recent visit to Zambia for the All Africa Baptist Youth Fellowship, Pastor Henry Moteneka, the Vice President of the Baptist Convention of Zambia, took me to visit his Association that was having a conference during the same dates. The conference was attended by hundreds of adults, youth, and children. The venue was an open field next to a small church building. Most delegates arrived at the conference venue by foot, some on bicycles, and others on ox wagons. The sleeping accommodations were small tents and temporary structures made of grass and sticks. Each congregation brought groceries to cook for their members for the whole week. When we arrived, it was the time for worship in song. The choirs rendered musical items. The spirit and mood in the

conference was joyful and full of celebration. We were received with joy, but I felt deeply challenged by their joy in the Lord Jesus Christ, regardless of their lack in resources. These are the experiences that will remain with me forever. In some places, our fellow Baptists live in war-torn areas like in the Eastern part of Ukraine, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Venezuela and many others. These sisters and brothers continue to love the Lord Jesus Christ and serve in these hardships. I am not trying to celebrate the suffering of our fellow believers and God’s people in general, but I celebrate the resilience of their faith as in Hebrews 11. The Lord Jesus has told us that in this world we are going to face these challenges. All of them look up to the BWA as their global family that is providing a network of support in prayers and otherwise. As a family, we also learn from these sisters and brothers what it means to be devoted to the Lord Jesus and to follow Him every day of our lives under all circumstances. On the other hand, we know that the sufferings and the uneven distribution of the world’s resources is as a result of the sinful heart of humankind. The world is becoming more hostile daily. Some of the politicians have decided to wage wars against their own communities. The rich and the powerful people of this world who run the multinational companies continue to amass wealth at the peril of the poor and powerless. In the BWA, we will continue to resist and stand against those who are promoting unjust laws that oppress God’s people. We will continue to proclaim the Gospel of

our Lord Jesus Christ, which is good news to the poor, liberty to the oppressed, sight to the blind and freedom for the prisoners. I wish to thank all individuals, the local congregations, the member bodies and the associate member bodies for your support to the BWA. Thank you for the time and resources that you have willingly donated to the mission and the life of the BWA. As we come to the end of 2019 and look forward to a new year, I am extending an appeal to all of us to set aside a special offering to the BWA. My beloved sisters and brothers in Christ, let us move into the future together as the BWA global family. We are now looking forward to our “Together 2020” Congress in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I am excited that we are going to be spoiled with choice from the richness of the sessions from both the youth and adults’ programs. Come! Let’s celebrate under the theme “Together.” On behalf of my family, I wish you all a prosperous New Year. Now may the grace and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

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