Women’s Congress has been organized by the two groups, pastors are visiting each other’s conventions, and
several churches are conducting activities together. “God has called us to unity,” Contreras said, “and it has become
a blessing so important for us that we no longer feel that we are separated.”

AFRICA

On the continent of Africa, peacemaking seems to be falling into the hands of the younger generation. “Our
youth have been both the perpetrators and victims of violence; they have been used, abused, even killed by some of
our politicians. Enough is enough, because our future lies in our youth,” said Brickson Sam.
His presentation included a short DVD in which the audience viewed graphic horrors and the insanity of the
violence in which even babies and innocent children were among the hapless victims. Conflict is one of the most
significant obstacles to development in Africa today. Approximately half of sub-Saharan African countries have
experienced violent armed conflict, and these conflicts have undermined progress in health, economic growth and
governance. These conditions have resulted in Africa being a birthing ground for terrorists, among other thing. The
All Africa Baptist Fellowship “has condemned all forms of violence and conflict going on in the continent” and “has
committed itself to advocate for peace and the promotion of human rights for all people,” said Sam.
In conjunction with the BWA Youth Department, the All Africa Baptist Youth Fellowship held a conference for
youth leaders on “Peace and Conflict Resolution in Africa – The Christian Perspective” in Tema, Ghana, on October
6-10, 2008. Baptist youth from Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Cameroon participated in the
meeting. The conference brought to light the reality that Baptist youth, as followers of Christ, have a role to play in
bringing peace to Africa, and that a much broader conference that involves youth from all across Africa is necessary.
Sierra Leone, a country that experienced civil war for seven years and is now going through reconstruction and
reconciliation, was chosen to host the conference which will run from November 11-15, 2009. The conference theme
will be “Seek Peace and Pursue It.”

GEORGIA

The work of peacemaking in the Republic of Georgia reveals another prism of light in a country long beset by
war and political conflicts. The impact is best expressed by Malkhaz Songulashvili. “Words like helplessness and
humiliation,” he said, “do not come close enough to describe the pain of living with fear; yet, all over the Bible,
including the event of Jesus’ resurrection, we read where God says to us that we do not need to be afraid.” In
tracing his growth to owning his own fear, he told himself, “I can’t be a bishop if I am afraid.” The older generations
of people in the Republic of Georgia had lived through the World Wars and had just about given up hope. In
addition, the churches in the former Soviet Union had sided with Russia during World War II and had lost their vision
for helping the poor.
In modern times, the people of Georgia live with two perplexing matters. One is the ongoing tensions and
military conflicts between Russia and some of its former republics, now independent nations. The other is the
Chetneyan rebels living in the hills. These rebels often cross over the border into Georgia looking for food and
shelter. In the process, they would commit acts of horrible violence, including murder, kidnapping and abuse of
Georgian women.
How can the church become an agent of God’s peace and reconciliation and address the brooding fear? The
answer came in the form of another question. “Why not let us cancel [our own] Christmas [celebrations] and give the
money to the Chetneyan refugees?”
Answering this question seemed to open the door to a new and Spirit-driven understanding for the Evangelical
Baptist Church of Georgia to confront its fear and to display the presence of Christ in peace and reconciliation.
What followed was a series of exciting ministry initiatives to the refugees. Led by Songulashvili, the members of the
church began a fundraising program to support this new ministry.
These new peacemakers also began visiting the refugee camps and saw that the children were in dire need of
medical attention and school supplies. They started talking with the refugees and shared stories in an attempt to
build friendships. They began eating together and praying together and having times of fun and fellowship with the
refugees. “It is possible to build bridges to people, any people,” said Songulashvili, “for in doing so we are bringing
the presence and peace of Christ.”
(Leo Thorne is Associate General Secretary for Mission Resource Development with American Baptist Churches
USA. He serves on the BWA Communications Executive Committee and is a member of the BWA Commission on
Doctrine and Interchurch Cooperation.)

PHOTOS: Raquel Contreras, Chile; Brickson Sam, Sierra Leone; Malkhaz Songulashvili, Georgia
OCTOBER/DECEMBER 2009 15
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32