By Jeff Brumley
It was a busy two days for those who attended the Annual Gathering of the North American Baptist Fellowship April 16-17 in Vancouver.
In those 48 hours, NABF members elected leadership, heard presentations on trends affecting North American Baptists and examined innovations in evangelism occurring in the 21st century.
George Bullard was re-elected to a five-year term as general secretary of the organization, which is one of six regions of the Baptist World Alliance. Bullard has held the position since 2009.
Gathered participants considered trends in church and denominational ministry in North America. The presentation was led by Len Sweet of SpiritVenture Ministries and Reg Bibby of the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada.
An overview of ways women are involved in ministry in North America was presented by Patsy Davis, executive director of the women’s department of the Baptist World Alliance.
“In whatever ministry position women are involved, Patsy Davis reminded us that being called and gifted are the two most important characteristics of women in ministry,” Bullard said. “Whether or not it is an ordained or pastoral role is not near as important as it is a fully empowered role out of call and giftedness.”
Another topic was a focus on the Asia.
“The Baptist organizations of this region have a great capacity for ministry,” Bullard said in a news release, adding that each Annual Gathering includes a focus on other BWA regions.
Among their needs for collaboration with other Baptists is leadership development in the areas of ministry preparation and theological education, he said.
“It was a new learning for some participants as to the significant capacity for ministry present among Baptists in the Asia Pacific region,” Bullard added in an email to Baptist News Global. “They have much to teach us. Collaboration with them definitely runs both ways.”
Whatever the topic of a given expert or event at the Annual Gathering, its underlying theme was collaboration.
“Also, Canadian Baptists from various Baptist denominations came together a day early to deepen their relationship and craft ways to collaborate,” Bullard said.