scale, God’s people must speak on behalf of the oppressed and vulnerable. “We dare not remain silent,” Aier
announced. “We have the capacity to make a difference in our generation and in our lifetime.”
Allan Demond called on Baptists to be a Jubilee people. The pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in
Melbourne, Australia, said that “jubilee people confront the system. They take practical steps to address their
complicity in the wrongs of society. They use fair-trade products, stand up against poverty, confront injustice
with their own resources and seek to obey when Jesus confronts them.”
Jubilee, which was a Jewish policy of renewal and reform, including the resting of the land, the freeing
of slaves and the forgiveness of debt, has much to teach Baptists in how to confront and deal with social
injustices and inequities. In enacting or practicing jubilee, Baptists should take action even in the face of
“politics and social norms that look embedded and unchangeable.” But “if we are going to be jubilee people, we
will need to trust God – not our capacity to earn or work or be self-sufficient,” Demond asserted.
Paul Msiza, general secretary of the South African Baptist Convention and president of the All Africa Baptist
Fellowship, emphasized the transforming power of the Holy Spirit for individuals, communities and creation, a
transformation that “goes beyond race, gender, creed and geographical boundaries.” In making references to
the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in his native South Africa, where “the same people who carried guns
and shot us in townships stood in pulpits and sat in pews on Sunday,” he affirmed that “the transformation that
is brought about by the Spirit transcends all human barriers because it is done by the Spirit of God and not by
people.” In particular, Msiza stated, the transforming power of God’s Spirit brings good news to the poor – both
the materially needy and the spiritually impoverished.
Other Highlights
There were several other major highlights during the five-day gathering. John Upton of the United States
was elected BWA president for the period 2010-2015, along with 12 vice presidents, two from each of the six
BWA regions – Africa, Asia/Pacific, Caribbean, Europe, Latin America and North America. Former BWA General
Secretary Denton Lotz received the BWA Quinquennial Human Rights Award for a lifetime of commitment
to human rights concerns.
An event marking the end of the five-year Living Water program took place during the congress in a
celebration of song, music, drama, testimonies, and an address by BWA General Secretary Neville Callam.
Testimonies were heard from persons from India, Russia, and Uganda on how Living Water made an impact
on their lives and led them into new areas of ministries. Living Water was an international BWA-sponsored
program with an emphasis on evangelism and leadership training.
Daily Bible study sessions were held in eight languages – French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, English,
Chinese, Japanese and Korean. Each afternoon saw delegates sharing in Focus Groups that explored theological,
ethical and social issues, including pastoral leadership, mission, bioethics, and the environment.
PHOTOS: Speakers and worshippers who shared in the various sessions throughout the five days of the
congress; A participant in the children’s program held during the congress; Alongla Aier; Allan Demond; Paul
Msiza

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