BWA Congress 5 - "the Spirit in us and upon us"

The 20^th World Congress of the Baptist World Alliance got off to a spectacular Hawaiian beginning this Wednesday evening (right).   The warmth of this Pacific Island people, directed towards the several thousand packed into the Congress venue, was beautifully expressed in a traditional chant used for generations to welcome people to these shores. 

At the heart of the chanted welcome are these words:

“We are an island community in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean.  Because of this we are sensitive to the winds that blow around us, to the waves that crash upon our shores, to the rains that fall to nurture our precious lands.  We are dependent on one another to survive.  All that comes from our Great God is precious to us.”

And with those words of welcome, accompanied by a blend of traditional and Hawaiian praise, the Congress began.  The names of 109 countries from which people have come were read out – each in the context of a worship song celebrating God’s praise expressed in every corner of the globe. 

The main address of the evening was David Coffey’s last major task as BWA President.  David is someone who, it is universally recognised, has served in this role with real distinction.  His word this evening from Isaiah 61:1-11 was inspired.  Centred on our need to have the Spirit in us – the hallmark of being a child of God, and the Spirit on us – the hallmark of those equipped to be his witnesses.  David has indeed served the world Baptist family well, and I look forward to his continuing role as our BMS Global Ambassador.

Earlier in the day, it was meetings of course. Whilst most people are here for the Congress celebrations, around 200 or so are also here as members of the BWA Council (left), we who meet each year.  In case you ever wondered what kind of meetings, here is a list which may (or may not) interest you.  First there are what I might call the organisational committees – we each serve on at least one of these

General Council

Executive Committee

Committees of the Executive Committee

· Budget and Finance

· Human Resources

· BWA Membership

· Baptist World Aid

· BWA Congress Planning

· Constitution and Bye-laws

Then there are BWA Commissions – we each serve on one of these

Commissions on Mission, Evangelism and Theological Reflection

· Evangelism

· Worship and Spirituality

· Baptist Heritage and History

· Theological Education and Leadership Formation

· Doctrine and Unity

· Ministry

· Christian Ethics

Commissions on Freedom and Justice

· Religious Freedom

· Peace

· Social and Environmental Justice

· Human Rights Advocacy

This Council, Executive, Committees and Commissions meet each year at the Annual Gathering. 

My last comment follows on from my encounter with the Hula dancers in yesterdays post – one of my BMS colleagues emailed and commented ‘we wonder who you’re going to meet next?!”  Well, of the many friends I met today, none were quite as exotic but they included a good time with Robert Parham of

www.ethicsdaily.com.

 

It was also a real joy to meet up again with Kerry Hilton of Freeset.  Kerry and Annie Hilton and their children have lived in one of Calcutta’s largest red light districts for the last 12 years, establishing and growing the Freeset factory to provide alternative employment for those sex workers who long for a better way of living.  You can find out more about Freeset at  http://www.freesetglobal.com/  and be inspired. 

 David Kerrigan