visitors. Romanian Baptists were supported in their struggle for religious freedom.
The 1930s were marked by the Great Depression and the rise of fascism in Europe. Nonetheless,
the fifth congress was held in Berlin in 1934 and attracted considerable international attention. The
political context could not be ignored and a BWA commission on “Nationalism” deplored it as a great
obstacle to peace.
A record crowd came to the sixth congress in Atlanta, USA, in 1939 with 12,445 delegates and
tens of thousands more who attended various sessions. After World War II, but with much of Europe
still under reconstruction and with the East-West tensions continuing, the seventh congress was
held in Copenhagen in 1947. A powerful affirmation called a “Charter of Freedom” was adopted. The
congress theme was “Unity in Christ.”
In 1950, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, hosted the eighth congress with the theme “And the Light Shineth
in the Darkness.” More international in scope and representation, this congress drew large crowds to
spectacular events, such as a street parade that attracted some 60,000 people.
Special hopes were realized by the Golden Jubilee Congress held in London in 1955. Delegates
numbered 8,524 from 60 countries. The theme was the appropriate text, “Jesus Christ, the Same
Yesterday and Today and Forever,” a continuation of the strong christological themes of many
congresses. Advocating religious freedom was still a priority. For the first time evangelist Billy Graham
spoke at a BWA congress meeting, a practice continued at every congress until his ill health made it
impossible.
Despite the ongoing cold war and rising nationalism in numerous colonies, Baptists in the turbulent
1960s increasingly became a more genuinely international body. This was symbolized by the first
congress in the Southern Hemisphere that was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1960.
(Continued on next page)
PHOTOS:
In 1947, with much of Europe still under reconstruction after World War II, the seventh congress was
held in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Evangelist Billy Graham spoke at every BWA congress from 1955 until ill health made it impossible.

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