The Baptist World Alliance World Congress will be meeting July 28 to August 1 in Honolulu, Hawaii, and, Lord willing, Connie and I are going.
The Religious Herald and the BWA go way back. In an 1895 editorial, Robert Healy Pitt, then editor of the Religious Herald, encouraged a worldwide organization or council of Baptists to be formed. Ten years later the Baptist World Alliance came into being during a gathering of Baptists in London, England. Pitt became the North American representative to that body.
Jim White
|
During many, if not most, of the quinquennial World Congresses, the Religious Herald has been on hand to report on the global work and progress of Baptists. This tradition will continue as our managing editor, Robert Dilday, and I journey (unsacrificially, I admit) to Honolulu to file reports.
Under the auspices of the BWA communications chief, Eron Henry, Robert will be supervising the newsroom, providing for the needs of reporters and producing a newspaper for distribution during three days of the congress. This weighty responsibility is a tribute to Robert’s professionalism and organizational abilities. We are proud of him, and proud of the contributions the Religious Herald continues to make to the benefit of Baptists worldwide.
For Virginia Baptists, most other events will be overshadowed by John Upton’s election as president of the BWA. The last time a Virginia Baptist shouldered this responsibility was more than half a century ago when Theodore Adams, then pastor of Richmond’s First Baptist Church, was elected to the position in 1955.
We are excited for John and happy for the BWA as we anticipate his election. It is fitting that this event, so close to our hearts, should receive top billing.
But other events and themes will emerge during the course of our congress of Baptists. As the center of Baptist growth moves to non-western regions of the world, it is only natural that their voices should be heard, not just as participants but as leaders. Three years ago, Neville Callam, a pastor from Jamaica, was chosen to be the general secretary, the BWA’s chief administrative position.
He understands the need for global leadership involvement and in this congress is introducing western Baptists to speakers from around the world. They will share their experiences, their theologies shaped by unique challenges and their biblical interpretation forged in the context of sacrifice and suffering.
Many of them live and seek to worship in areas of strong Muslim opposition. The BWA is especially important to them because they tend to feel isolated and alone in their local settings. God uses the BWA World Congress to enthuse (en theos — God within) them.
Virginia Baptists will be eager to learn of the injustices they have endured and the sacrifices they have made to practice their faith. We will hear their stories when the family gathers to worship the Lord and to bind the wounds of the persecuted in Honolulu. And the Religious Herald will repeat the stories for the benefit of those who cannot go.
But as we weep with those who weep, we will also rejoice with those who rejoice. In many parts of the globe, Baptists are experiencing explosive growth. We will hear with blessed gladness of the conversions and baptisms of the many who are trusting Christ and of the churches being started and flourishing. Once again, they will tell their stories and we will repeat them to you that your joy may be added to theirs.
The work of the Lord will be done in the World Congress as global human hurts are considered and interventions planned. It creates a time and place for thinking strategically about such concerns as whether Christians ever need to abandon their cultures or how to respond to human trafficking.
The congress will also provide a means of planning and a method of implementation. Just as in the local church, only on a larger and more complicated scale because of the language and cultural differences, committees will meet, options will be considered and decisions will be made. We will tell you about those, too.
When Theodore Adams was elected, Time featured his likeness on the cover of its weekly edition. The world was a different place in those days. In our time, much of the world regards religious fervor with a cautious eye. Now, if any mention is made at all, Time will probably devote only modest space to a gathering of Baptists — even a worldwide gathering. Times change and Time changes.
But some things never change. God never changes. Human beings continue to sin and require salvation. The blood of Jesus Christ continues to cover the magnitude of our guilt. God’s people continue to bear witness to the glorious love of Jesus who seeks a relationship with us all. And they continue to need encouragement as the day of the Lord approaches.
Honolulu will be much more than just a nice place to visit; more than just a tropical paradise. For Baptists who gather there for the BWA World Congress, it will be a foretaste of a greater Paradise to come.
Now some of you with psychology bents are thinking, “The editor sounds a little like he is trying to justify his going to Hawaii.” Not true. I need no convincing that it is right for me to go. What I am trying to do is convince you, even at this late date, to go yourselves. You can still get a flight. I have been assured that rooms are available (unfortunately, not at the reduced prices negotiated by the planning team), and you can register when you get there. You can still join us! But, if you can’t, the Religious Herald will tell you all about it.
Aloha.