CONTENTS

5 BWA NEWS IN BRIEF
Stories of inspiration, challenge, tragedy and praise from our diverse Baptist family around
the world.
8 BAPTISTS OF THE MIDDLE EAST
A special survey of the opportunities and challenges facing Baptist believers throughout the Middle
East. The dedication of the Baptism Center at Bethany beyond Jordan is highlighted, an event that
drew a crowd of more than 1,700 to the banks of the Jordan River in March, and included more than
120 baptisms.
21 CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO THE GLOBAL ECONOMY
Baptist voices from around the world address the challenges and need for renewed commitment to
biblical stewardship during this time of economic upheaval.
24 EBF/BWA RELIGIOUS FREEDOM MNITORING GROUP VISIT TO AZERBAIJAN
Tony Peck reports on the recent Religious Freedom Monitoring Group visit to Azerbaijan. Meeting
with various government officials and religious leaders, the Baptist leaders addressed issues of
harassment, obstacles to church registration, and imprisonment of pastors.
25 BOOK NOTE
Steven R. Harmon,
Towards Baptist Catholicity: Essays on Tradition and the Baptist Vision,
Paternoster, 2006
26 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MAKES IMPORTANT DECISIONS
At its recent Falls Church, VA, gathering, the BWA Executive Committee addressed issues of budget
reductions and organizational restructuring, and announced decisions regarding personnel, awards,
and future BWA meetings.
28 CELEBRATING WHAT GOD HAS DONE: 400 YEARS TOGETHER
As we celebrate 400 years of Baptist faith this year, we retell our stories – from the earliest Baptists
who proclaimed that the English King could not control the religious beliefs of his subjects, to Baptists
of today who still maintain that each individual must have freedom to respond to the Creator.
29 LEENA LAVANYA TO RECEIVE BWA HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD
The Denton and Janice Lotz Human Rights Award will be presented to Leena Lavanya in honor of her
work with the poor and dispossessed of India through her “Serve Trust” organization.
30 IN MEMORIAM

COVER PHOTO
More than 120 Baptists were baptized in the Jordan River by pastors of the Jordan Baptist Convention
during the Dedication of the Baptism Center at Bethany beyond Jordan.
Unless otherwise noted, photos in the issue are by BWA staff.
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