KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Baptist World Alliance leaders thanked their Malaysian hosts at an opening dinner that kicked off the BWA’s July 3-9 Annual Gathering in this southeast Asian country.
Indigenous Baptists from Malaysia perform a folk dance during the welcome dinner at the BWA Annual Gathering.
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The dinner, which drew about 480 people to Kuala Lumpur’s Berjaya Hotel and Conference Center, was a gift offered by Malaysian Baptists, and included performances by children from Kuala Lumpur Baptist Church and by Baptists who belong to the nation’s indigenous tribes.
“What a wonderful land this country of Malaysia is,” said BWA president John Upton of Richmond, Va. “We will carry you in our hearts and prayers. We assure you that, as always, you are not alone. We are proud to be your brothers and sisters.”
BWA general secretary Neville Callam also thanked Malaysian Baptists, and particularly John Kok, a BWA vice president and former chair of the Malaysia Baptist Convention, who helped plan the event, held each year in locations around the world.
Isaac Yim, the convention’s current chair, said, “Your presence here will strengthen Baptists in Malaysia in particular, and Christians in general.”
More than 300 Baptist leaders and delegates are attending the Annual Gathering, which features meetings of the General Council and executive committee; a variety of committees; women’s, men’s and youth departments; regional groupings; and commissions of the divisions of freedom and justice and mission, evangelism and theological reflection.
Eron Henry is associate director of communications for the Baptist World Alliance.