CONGRESS CONTINUITIES continued
Brazilian Baptists were greatly inspired by this congress and entered a period of phenomenal
growth.
At Miami Beach in 1965, where the registrants numbered 19,758 (of which 17,973 were from
the USA), the theme was “Jesus Christ in a Changing World.” The only African to serve as BWA
president, William R. Tolbert, later president of Liberia, began his term in 1965.
The first congress in Asia was held in Tokyo in 1970 and, though numbers were inevitably
lower (8,556 from 78 countries), the theme of “Reconciliation through Christ” attracted many Asian
delegates to their first congress meeting. The BWA returned to Europe for the thirteenth congress
in 1975 and again met at Stockholm in Sweden where the focus was “New people for a New World
–Through Christ.” Significant structural changes to the BWA were approved.
During the 1980s and 1990s the globalization of BWA work continued. More delegates from the
developing world were enabled to attend congress meetings. Toronto in 1980 saw more than 20,000
delegates reflect on the theme “Cele-brating Christ’s Presence through the Spirit.” USA President
Jimmy Carter spoke at this congress. A disappointing attendance of about 9,000 delegates gathered
in Los Angeles in 1985, although 93 countries were represented, to focus on the theme, “Out of
Darkness into the Light of Christ.”
Back in Asia for the sixteenth congress, Baptists received a huge welcome from Korean Baptists
when they met in Seoul in 1990. Speakers came from all six continents to develop the theme
“Together in Christ” whilst a special focus of the congress was on prayer. A “Seoul Covenant” by
which Baptists agreed to accept 1990-2000 as a decade of evangelism was enthusiastically adopted.
Beautiful Buenos Aires in Argentina was the venue for the seventeenth congress in 1995. Vibrant
worship sessions led in developing the theme, “Celebrate Christ: The Hope of the World.” For the new
millennium, Baptists gathered in Melbourne, Australia, in January 2000 (rather than the customary
mid-year) to celebrate the theme of the eighteenth congress, “Jesus Christ Forever, Yes!” This first
congress in the South Pacific attracted large numbers from that region.
The centenary congress held in Birmingham, England, in 2005 will be fresh in the memory of many
thousands of Baptists, 14,612 from 112 countries. “Jesus Christ Living Water” brought strong hope
and refreshment.
We look forward to Hawai‘i and the challenging theme, “Hear the Spirit.” But once again the main
benefits for delegates will come from sharing in worship, prayer and Bible study; facing the crucial
issues of our modern world; understanding more of our identity and beliefs as Baptists; supporting
those being persecuted or oppressed; strengthening our commitment to evangelism and mission; and
forming networks and friendships in order to encourage one another. Long may it continue!
Ken Manley is a former principal at Whitley College of the University of Melbourne in Australia.
He is a member of the Baptist World Alliance Commission on Baptist Heritage and Identity and the
Academic and Theological Education Workgroup.
24
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