WASHINGTON, D.C. (BWA)–Baptist World Alliance (BWA) President David Coffey and General Secretary Neville Callam are appealing for prayer for those affected by the conflict between Georgian and Russian forces over the Georgian breakaway provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Estimates are that more than 158,000 persons are displaced as a result of the fighting.
“Already, the Baptist World Alliance has sought practical ways in which to give expression to our love for the people affected by the war in the region,” said General Secretary Callam. “Baptists across the world are praying for the resolution of the conflict over South Ossetia and Abkhazia.”
“I urge Baptists to pray for the peace and safety of Georgia and the surrounding regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” said Coffey. “What has happened in the past few days is a reminder that the Caucasus is a complex and volatile region and we have many Baptists who will have been caught up in the suddenness of this conflict.”
Added Callam, “I applaud the initiatives taken by the European Union and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in addressing the situation in which resort to force has resulted in loss of life, destruction of property and disruption in people's lives in the Caucasus.
“We also wish to assure Georgian Baptists of our commitment to urge respect for the territorial integrity of their country,” Callam said. “We pray for the success of the initiative of the United Nations to resolve the political conflict between Russia and Georgia. We also pray for the peaceful co-existence of all concerned.”