The Baptist World Alliance is a fellowship of 211
Baptist unions and conventions comprising a membership of more than 32 million
baptized believers. This represents a community of approximately 80 million
Baptists ministering around the world. The BWA unites Baptists worldwide, leads
in evangelism, responds to people in need and defends human rights.
Neville Callam is the General Secretary of the Baptist World Alliance.
The BWA has a President, and sixteen-vice-presidents who represent its work on every continent. BWA staff includes a General Secretary and Division and Department directors. There are six BWA regional fellowships.
1. Unite Baptists Worldwide:
"One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism." This Biblical truth of the oneness of the
Body of Christ comes alive in the global meetings of the BWA, whether at an
annual meeting of leaders in the world or a Congress with thousands of Baptists.
The first Sunday of February every year is Baptist World Alliance Day when
Baptists recognize the larger body of Christ and pray for each other. We ask God
to help those who are denied religious freedom and who suffer for their faith,
and pray for the Gospel to reach the ends of the earth.
World Congress: A Baptist World Congress is held every five years. This
celebration of praise to God brings Baptists together to renew their faith in
Jesus Christ and their commitment to serve the world. England is the venue for
the 2005 World Congress to mark the 100th anniversary of the BWA.
2. Leads in Evangelism:
Evangelism is at the heart of Baptist life and the BWA is a stimulus to Baptists
to do evangelism. Evangelistic meetings, conferences, teams and resources are
all part of this ministry, as we seek to proclaim and demonstrate good news in
Jesus Christ.
3. Defend Human Rights:
From the start of Baptist life in the 17th Century when Baptists were persecuted
for their understanding of faith, religious freedom has always been central to
Baptist faith and witness. When that right is denied, or is in danger anywhere,
the BWA works with governments and other authorities on behalf of Baptists and
other oppressed people.
Racism and ethnic conflict are evils that must be fought with action and prayer.
The BWA has named the first ten years of this new millennium a, "Decade of
Racial Injustice." Baptist churches all over the world have joined this cause.
4. Responds to People in Need:
Earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, civil war are some natural and man-made
disasters that cause terrible suffering. Through Baptist World Aid, the relief
and development arm of the BWA, Baptists worldwide share resources that go
directly to address the needs. Through its development ministry, BWAid works
with Baptists to strengthen their resources and capabilities to meet emergencies
and promote growth.
5. National leadership:
A most important ministry of the BWA is leadership training and development that
helps Baptist leaders and churches become more effective in their ministries.
Through all kinds of leadership training experiences and visits around the world,
the BWA serves to work with national leaders to deepen their impact for Christ
in their own countries. It is those national leaders to whom God has entrusted
the long term care of the Church in their nations.
Men: Baptists men share their commitment to evangelization through
an annual day of prayer and witness in April.
Women: Leaders are trained and young women discipled through
worldwide development programs of the Women's Department. The first Monday of
each November is the Baptist Women's World Day of Prayer.
Youth: Young people are prepared to take their place in Christian
leadership as they come together in the Youth Department. The annual Baptist
Youth World Day of Prayer is the second Sunday in June. A dynamic youth/student
conference draws thousands every five years. Leipzig, Germany, is the venue for
the next conference in 2008.
Donations from member bodies are the main source of
funding. Churches and interested individuals are encouraged to support the BWA.
For more information about the Baptist World Alliance check out their web site
at Baptist World Alliance.
