By Marv Knox
Margun Waren of Norway grew up in a country that has a very strong state-sponsored Lutheran church. “As Baptists, we are a minority,” she said, reporting that only about 5,000 Baptists live in Norway.
“It was very great for me when I first found out as a teenager that the Baptists were so many more than the small area where I grew up,” she recalled.
And worshiping with about 13,000 Baptists from many countries at the Baptist World Centenary Congress, strengthened her sense of Baptist unity, Waren added. “How rich it is for me to meet with Baptists from wherever in the world. You feel united. Deep in my heart, I am always a Baptist.”
Richard Otim, pastor of Rockview Baptist Church in Soroti, Uganda, marveled at the inspiration he received from Baptist sisters and brothers around the world.
“I am challenged to go back to my country and share the gospel and bring more to Christ,” he said. “I have enjoyed seeing the different ways of worshiping and giving praise to the Lord God.”
Otim acknowledged he learned from his experiences at the Baptist World Alliance meeting.
“In Uganda, I thought all Indians believed in Hindu. But the congress here exposed me to so much-including Indian Baptists,” he explained. “I also have been surprised at the way the church is growing. Sometimes, in my own country, I think the church is very small. … But so many people [around the world] are coming to the Lord.”
Samson Mamidi, pastor of The Living God's Church in Suryapet, India, smiled and then started laughing as he talked about “bringing here all the nations” to worship together as Baptists.
The greatest lesson he learned in Birmingham was how “this people loves one another,” he added, noting he felt that love specifically after his luggage got lost between India and England. “A United Kingdom pastor gave me this coat,” he said, pointing to a blue double-breasted blazer. “He expressed his love to me.
Ben Chen, a native of Hong Kong who now is area director for East Asia and India of the American Baptist Churches-USA, affirmed the notion of fellowship.
“I was impressed with the way the Baptist World Alliance brings nations of the world together, to listen to each other. We may not always understand how people arrive at their positions, but we can share with each other and gain an understanding of what God has for us as a family.”
Associated Baptist Press
Marv Knox is editor of the Baptist Standard.