BWA ACCEPTS THREE NEW MEMBER BODIES
The Baptist Fellowship of Zambia (BFZ), the District of Columbia Baptist Convention (DCBC), and the Baptist
Churches in Vietnam (BCV) are the newest member bodies of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA).
The three groups were formally granted membership to the international Baptist organization during a
meeting of the BWA General Council, which preceded the start of the 20th Baptist World Congress in Honolulu,
Hawai´i, on July 28.
The BFZ, established in 1995, has grown rapidly since its formation, numbering 1,500 churches in 2008
with the goal to reach a total of 2,000 churches by 2011.
The DCBC comprises churches in the city of Washington, DC – the capital of the United States – and in
nearby Virginia and Maryland. Formed in 1877, it is the fourth state or regional Baptist convention in the US
to be accepted as a member body of the BWA, following the acceptance of the Baptist General Association of
Virginia, the Baptist General Convention of Texas, and the Baptist General Convention of Missouri.
There are now 18 Baptist conventions and unions in the US that are member bodies of the BWA.
The BCV received official government recognition in 2008 following on a human rights visit by the BWA to
the Southeast Asian country in 2006, where meetings were held with Baptist leaders and government officials.
Formed in 1988, the BCV includes 509 churches and approximately 30,000 members.
BWA General Secretary Neville Callam praised the government and people of Vietnam for the advances
being made in religious liberty in their country. In a letter to the President of Vietnam, Callam expressed
the BWA’s grateful acknowledgment of the cooperation of the Vietnamese government, which facilitated
recognition of the Baptist community in Vietnam.
Callam also praised Giam Nguyen, general secretary of the BCV, for his strong patriotism, his deep love for
the Lord, and his visionary leadership of Baptists in his country.
Nguyen stated, “We joyfully praise God on this historical day for the union of the BCV to the BWA and
the global Baptist family. On behalf of the BCV I am grateful to the BWA. This is a meaningful and gracious
milestone for unity, growth and openness between the nation of Vietnam and the world.”
The number of BWA member bodies is now 219.
PHOTO: New BWA President John Upton greets Giam Nguyen, right, general secretary of the Baptist
Churches in Vietnam after the BCV was accepted as a BWA member body. Interpreter Sam Nguyen looks on.



LIVING WATER CONTINUES
However, some initial comments might be offered concerning follow up that is being done in places where
Living Water conferences were held.
a. Special and effective evangelistic ministry in Moldova followed the St. Petersburg Living Water
conference
b. Two spontaneous national Living Water events in Nigeria and Kenya following the conference in Nairobi,
one initiated by African Baptist women and the other by the Baptist youth of Africa
c. A concerted effort by Nepali and Sri Lankan Baptists to introduce all their churches to the Living Water
emphases
d. A cooperative effort between Baptist bodies in countries which, up until now have existed apart, e.g., in
Bangladesh, Cuba and Serbia
e. Determination in some regions, following the Living Water event, to devise cooperative strategies to
spread the message of God’s love in Jesus Christ, e.g., the Caribbean (Bridgetown), Europe (Prague), South
East Asia (Singapore), and the South West Pacific (Cairns)
f. The publicly stated intention of the convention leaders in Southern Africa to conduct their own Living
Water events in their own conventions, unions, and churches
It would be premature to undertake a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of the Living Water strategy on
the Baptist world and its outreach ministries. Effects may take decades to be fully understood. However, at the
time of writing, there are many positive signs and encouragements. To God be the glory.
Tony Cupit was the BWA Living Water Coordinator from 2005-2010
The 16-minute video presentation of the story of Living Water with text and pictures that was premiered at the
celebration has been produced. The video is available from the BWA office. A 30-page pictorial record of the
Living Water ministry and a four-minute video are also available through the BWA.

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