BIRMINGHAM, England (ABP) — The fight against terrorism is fought most effectively over a slice of pizza, not at airports and transit stations, according to global Baptist leaders. The Baptist World Centenary Congress July 27-31, one of the largest Baptist…
For British Baptists, flood of delegates to congress signals solidarity vs. terror
BIRMINGHAM, England (ABP) — For the past week, the halls of this city's International Convention Center were filled with bustle and conversation of Baptists from around the world. But for British Baptists, the clamor sends one clear message: You are…
Bonds across boundaries, cultures, link BWA congress participants
BIRMINGHAM, England (ABP) — 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…
Carter says global ‘hunger for healing’outweighs beliefs that divide faiths
BIRMINGHAM, England (ABP) — There is an “intense hunger” among Christians worldwide — and among people of all faiths — to work for justice and oppose terrorism, despite serious differences of faith, Jimmy Carter said July 30. “There is an…
Adams: Baptists poised to impact Africa, ‘new center’ of Christianity
BIRMINGHAM, England (ABP) — The center of Christianity has moved to Africa, and Baptists can be catalysts for changing the continent, Frank Adams told delegates to the Baptist World Centenary Congress July 29. Baptists are called to be a voice…
Coffey elected BWA president; others lift up evangelism, justice
BIRMINGHAM, England (ABP) — Delegates to the Baptist World Centenary Congress July 30 elected a British Baptist as their president, received a report on the state of the Baptist World Alliance, and heard an impassioned call for social justice from…
Brit Steve Chalke says churches can become ‘new health service’
BIRMINGHAM, England (BWA) — Like Cinderella, the 21st century church must leave the “scullery” and engage the world as Christ intended it to, Steve Chalke told participants at the Baptist World Centenary Congress July 29. Chalke, a British Baptist minister,…
Baptists beginning to help victims of ‘human trafficking’ industry
BIRMINGHAM, England (ABP) –“Sasha” had two children and an abusive husband in the Czech Republic. After being hospitalized from a spousal beating, Sasha accepted an offer to go work in a restaurant in Germany to gain financial independence. Instead, her…
Make AIDS ministry a priority, activists tell BWA focus group
BIRMINGHAM, England (ABP) — There are 39.4 million HIV-positive people in the world, about one for every Baptist. With this fact in mind, a focus group at the Baptist World Congress yesterday called upon the Baptist World Alliance to make…
Persecution the norm for Baptists in some parts of world, panel says
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article is revised from its earlier release. BIRMINGHAM, England (ABP) – Latvian Baptists often encounter “difficulties” from their countrymen working to halt their efforts to spread the gospel, according to Yanis Smits, bishop of the Latvian Baptist…
BWA speakers focus on practical application of compassion
BIRMINGHAM, England (ABP) — Christ's love commands compassion for a world filled with suffering and pain, speaker after speaker told participants at the Baptist World Centenary Congress. The Baptist World Alliance set aside an evening of its 100th anniversary celebration…
Regional conferences, prayer unveiled in BWA evangelism strategy
BIRMIMGHAM, England (ABP) — BWA officials launched a new $1.2 million evangelism strategy during a one-day conference in Birmingham, England, on the eve of the group's centennial world congress. Regional training and vision conferences are a key part of the…