BAPTIST WORLD CONGRESS
Thousands gathered for five days of worship, mission, study and fellowship
By Eron Henry
The 20th Baptist World Congress ended on Sunday, August 1, with inspired preaching and singing, and the
presentation of the Congress Message to the thousands of Baptists who were gathered.
Lance Watson, pastor of St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia, in the United States, urged
the delegates to go forth to their various countries and churches in the power of the Holy Spirit to “change
handicaps into happy helpfulness; to change disadvantages into delightful deliverances; to change lameness
into leaping love.”
Watson told delegates that “it is the business and mission of the church to make a difference in the world,”
and called on Baptists to stoop down into the “deep valleys of human need, rolling up your sleeves, signing up
for service, getting off your seat, standing on your feet… getting involved with hurting humans.”
The Congress Message, drafted by a special committee formed for that purpose, appealed to Baptists
to commit themselves to spread “the truth of God in Jesus Christ as the hope of the world, develop greater
familiarity with the teachings of Christ, cultivate a rich prayer life, bear witness to the Gospel of salvation
through Jesus Christ,” and “provide examples of godly living reflecting the values taught by the Lord of the
church.”
Delegates were further encouraged to adopt “the values reflected in the UN Millennium Development
Goals,” including helping to remove “the scourge of poverty,” supporting “efforts to provide universal
education,” and to “work for environmental sustainability.”
A mass choir, consisting of delegates who volunteered for the occasion, led the congregation in singing a
song of praise.
PHOTOS: Lance Watson; A choir drawn from volunteers sings during the final session on Sunday morning,
August 1

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