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Baptist January/March 2012 Volume 59, Number 1 BWA and SBC Leaders Meet Leaders of the Baptist World Alliance and the Southern


Baptist Convention (SBC) held a joint meeting on December 19. The meeting was a follow up to a commitment made in April 2004 that both groups “meet at least once per year to continue an ongoing dialogue.” In a decision to honor the commitment made in 2004, the BWA Executive Committee authorized BWA General Secretary Neville Callam to write to the SBC to request a meeting. A favorable response was received and, on December 19, the meeting took place in the offices of the SBC in Nashville, Tennessee. The meeting was marked by cordiality, frankness and respectfulness. It was agreed that the discussion was necessary not just because of the pledge made in 2004, but also because of the vocation of Christians to live at peace with everyone. It was noted that despite the SBC’s withdrawal of its BWA membership in 2004, a number of members of churches that cooperate with the SBC serve the BWA, including on its General Council and its study commissions. The leaders made a commitment to keep the communication channels open, and to issue fraternal invitations to each other’s meetings.


Representing the BWA were President John Upton; Callam; George Bullard, general secretary of the North American Baptist Fellowship; and Sam Chaise, general secretary of Canadian Baptist Ministries. SBC representatives were SBC President Bryant Wright; Frank Page, president of the SBC Executive Committee; Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; and Paige Patterson, president of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.


CONTENTS 5 BWA News in Brief


Stories of inspiration, challenge, tragedy and praise from our diverse Baptist family around the world.


12 African Praise


Nigeria, a country teeming with Baptist life, hosted the 7th Assembly of the All Africa Baptist Fellowship in November. Highlights included the election of new leaders committed to uniting Africa to fulfill the Great Commission, and messages of hope centered in God’s power for a region facing frightening problems.


16 Focusing on Mission & Evangelism


In this summary report from the Bread of Life Conference held in Lagos, Nigeria — geared to Francophone Africa — leaders Emmett Dunn, Neville Callam and Eron Henry stress the need for a Christ-like lifestyle, proclaiming the Gospel by making a difference in communities and countries.


18 Francophone Africa: Recovering From War & Instability


Eron Henry reviews the unique challenges in the violent and troubled French- speaking parts of Africa and reports on Baptists’ quest for reconciliation.


Baptist World Editor: Eron Henry, E-mail: ehenry@bwanet.org Copy Editor: Lauren Weaver


Published quarterly by the Baptist World Alliance, 405 North Washington Street, Falls Church, Virginia 22046 USA. Telephone: +1-703-790-8980; Fax: +1-703-893- 5160; E-mail: BWA@bwanet.org; Website: www.bwanet.org. Preferred Periodicals postage paid at McLean, VA 22101, and additional entry points.


COVER PHOTO


Delegates and worshippers at the 7th Assembly of the All Africa Baptist Fellowship in Lagos, Nigeria, in November


Unless otherwise noted, photos in the issue are by BWA staff.


The Baptist World Alliance is a fellowship of 222 Baptist conventions and unions comprising a membership of more than 41 million baptized believers and a community of 110 million. The BWA unites Baptists worldwide, leads in world evangelism, responds to people in need, defends human rights and promotes theological reflection.


For information on bulk orders, write to the Communications Division, Baptist World Alliance, 405 North Washington Street, Falls Church, Virginia 22046 USA. Previous volumes of Baptist World are available in microfilm from University Microfilms International, 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106, USA.


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PRINTED IN U.S.A. 2 BAPTIST WORLD MAGAZINE ISSN 005-5808

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