HONOLULU—Should Christians ever abandon their cultures for the sake of the gospel? Baptists from all over the planet struggled with what to “embrace” and what to “release” of their cultures during a discussion session held in conjunction with the 20th…
Holy Spirit transforms individuals, communities, creation, African says
HONOLULU—Christians who listen to the Holy Spirit will experience transformation and become agents of transformation, an African Baptist leader told the Baptist World Congress. The kind of transformation the Holy Spirit produces redeems the lives of individuals, communities and all…
Christians must liberate & be liberated, seminarian tells BWA
HONOLULU — Christians are called to be agents of liberation, but they also desperately need to be liberated themselves, ministry educator Janet Clark stressed at the 20th Baptist World Congress in Honolulu July 30. Jesus focused on liberation in his…
Become ‘jubilee people,’ pastor tells world Baptists
HONOLULU—Christians are called to join Jesus as “jubilee people,” Australian pastor Allan Demond told participants at the 20th Baptist World Congress in Honolulu July 31. “Imagine if there was a place on earth where God’s Spirit breathed righteousness and truth…
Science vs. religion? It’s an unnecessary battle, say panelists
HONOLULU—Science and religion do not need to quarrel, a molecular engineer and an ethicist told participants at the 20th Baptist World Congress. Clayton Teague, director of the U.S. National Nanotechnology Coordination Office, and Bill Tillman, professor of Christian ethics at…
Liberation should mark Christianity’s mission and ministry, says educator
HONOLULU — Liberation marked the ministry of Jesus Christ, and it should characterize the mission of God’s people today, a professor and advocate for marginalized women told the Baptist World Congress. Alongla Aier, cofounder of the Oriental Theological Seminary in…
Missions demands local strategies, global vision, panelists assert
HONOLULU—Innovative missions today demand contextualized ministries shaped by local churches—not one-size-fits-all imported strategies implemented by professionals, a missions professor from Texas and a pastor from South Australia told a focus group at the Baptist World Congress. Mike Stroope, missions professor…
Women combat poverty, abuse by walking in the Spirit
HONOLULU — As women from every corner of the world gathered in their native dress with festive country displays in celebration of God’s movement among all peoples during the Baptist World Alliance Women’s Leadership Conference, the sea of colorful garb…
If Jesus needed the Spirit, then so do Christians today, says U.S. pastor
HONOLULU — Today’s Christians need the Holy Spirit’s guidance, just like Jesus did 2,000 years ago, a U.S. pastor told participants at the Baptist World Congress. Julie Pennington-Russell joined 26 other Bible scholars to teach Scripture lessons in eight languages…