by Rev. Anna Perry Miller
As a member of the Baptist World Alliance General Council, it was a privilege to virtually attend the 2024 meetings, held in Lagos, Nigeria, July 8-11, 2024. In support of the theme, Ambassadors of Peace, there was emphasis on the church living into her mission identity by calling out injustice, working to eliminate the scandalous problem of hunger, overcoming consumerism that even infiltrates the church, seeking to promote truth when so many false stories are told, along with holding church leaders and government leaders accountable for their role in matters of concern.
Here are a few highlights from the time shared together.
- Dr. Elijah Brown was elected to serve another quinquennial term as the BWA General Secretary.
- Updates were made to the Constitution & Laws.
- The General Council will now be known as the Global Council.
- The number of individuals on the Executive Committee and Global Council will double.
- After seasons focusing on 1. Defining Ourselves and 2. Belonging Together, we will now give attention to a new area, 3. Mission Mobilization. This is seen as a part of the natural maturing process of the organization.
- There was a emphasis placed on the fact that we are a covenantal people in relationship for mission, as opposed to our association being based on a creedal adherence.
- Commissions (focus groups) met to consider pathways forward in the areas of Interfaith Relations, Baptist Heritage & Identity, Theological Education, Baptist World Aid, Unity, Christian Ethics, Evangelism, Transformational Leadership, Creation Care, Worship & Spirituality, Human Rights, Peace & Reconciliation, Religious Freedom, as well as Racial, Gender, and Economic Justice.
- Thirteen new Baptist groups were admitted into the fellowship of the BWA.
- Rev. Mariama Julie Sesay, from Sierra Leone, was awarded the Denton and Janice Lotz Human Rights Award. She was recognized for her ongoing pursuit of justice in the area of women’s rights which involves overcoming domestic violence and continually fighting against female genital mutilation, with awareness and open dialogue that is so often avoided due to its difficulty.
- Three resolutions were approved. Here is a summary of them.
- World Hunger
Estimates show that approximately 700 million people in the world are affected by hunger, including more than 23 million Baptists. Developed from a draft submitted by the BWA Commission on Human Rights, Peacebuilding, and Reconciliation, the 2024 BWA Resolution on World Hunger acknowledges “global systemic issues like poverty, economic injustice, personal and corporate greed, climate change, war, and racial and gender inequality” are contributing to this worldwide issue and recognizes that “addressing structural and systemic changes is necessary to eliminate hunger and poverty disparities.” The resolution also reflects the BWA’s commitment to stand with indigenous peoples and other marginalized communities and urges “churches, unions, and other institutions to identify ways to lament, repent, reconcile, and transform individuals and structures, speak out against all forms of prejudice, and engage in theological reflection, dialogue, and advocacy concerning ending hunger and poverty throughout the globe.” - Religious Nationalism
The 2024 BWA Resolution on Religious Nationalism “laments the rise of religious nationalism around the world in all forms of government from totalitarian systems to democracies.” Reflecting on Baptists’ longstanding commitment to religious freedom, the resolution affirms “our Baptist heritage of fighting for more than 400 years for a radical separation of the institutions of religion and government as the best way to protect the religious freedom of all people.” The resolution decries “the harm caused by all forms of religious nationalism that may include discrimination against and silencing of religious minorities and other marginalized communities, resulting in vandalism, harassment, violence, arrest, forced displacement, and death.” The resolution acknowledges that “Baptists and other Christians are not immune to this dangerous trend” and recognizes Christian nationalism as a “form of idolatry.” Baptists are urged to support “positive Christian engagement in the public square” in alignment with a Christ-like model of civic involvement “characterized by love and sacrifice for one’s neighbors.” - Peace in the Middle East
As part of the Annual Gathering’s thematic focus on living as “Ambassadors of Peace,” the third resolution was drafted in response to the deadly Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza that has emerged in the ensuing months due to sustained violence and conflict. The 2024 BWA Resolution on Peace in the Middle East “condemns the attacking, kidnapping, and killing of civilians…as well as the destruction of civilian property and facilities and supplies indispensable to the survival of the civilian population.” The resolution calls for an immediate ceasefire and a peaceful resolution of the conflict while recognizing “it must be a peace with justice…with a hope rooted in the equal opportunity for a flourishing freedom for both Palestinians and Israelis.” Lamenting the damage to Gaza Baptist Church, the resolution urges Baptists “to support the Baptist presence in Gaza and the preservation of Christian community and witness throughout the Middle East.”
- World Hunger
You may read the fuller content of the resolutions at, BaptistWorld.org/resolutions.
To learn more about the BWA, you may visit their website at BaptistWorld.org and learn about ways you can be praying for member bodies across the world, explore where people are most vulnerable as well as understand trends in Baptist life worldwide, discover more about the ministries and concerns being pursued by BWA, and give to support this good work.
Facebook album of photos from the Annual Gathering.
Thank you for your ongoing support for and appreciation of the shared relationships within the larger worldwide Baptist community.