result in reduced costs as the system is much faster yet less expensive than the BWA’s previous Internet service. BWA staff demonstrated some of


the The Reformed


222 Baptist conventions and unions in 120 countries now hold


membership within the BWA.


Regional Reports


as well as to member bodies soliciting prayers and fi nancial assistance. While the CBF affi rms its autonomy, we are aware that we do share common missional


goals and objectives with


other fraternal bodies. As such, over the period under review conversations were held with two such bodies with a view to formalize partnerships around mutually agreed projects. These include a quest to develop a Centre for Caribbean Baptist Studies in collaboration with the United Theological College of the West Indies. Among the goals of this centre will be to collect and store documentation in all forms of Caribbean Baptist life and work, history and thought. It will also encourage research into all aspects of Baptist life and work both in the Caribbean region and the Caribbean Diaspora in Europe and North America, as well as areas in Central and South America peopled by descendants of Caribbean peoples. Everton Jackson is the BWA regional


secretary for the Caribbean and executive secretary/treasurer for the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship.


Europe


& Middle East —


Hope Amidst Challenges


By Tony Peck


A high point of 2011 was the European Baptist Federation (EBF) Executive and Council in Bethlehem


and Nazareth,


respectively, with around 35 of our member bodies represented. We were there to celebrate with Israeli Baptists 100 years of witness in the Holy Land. At the same time it was a signifi cant learning experience about the Arab Baptist communities which make up our two member bodies, the Association of Baptist Churches in Israel (Israel


“proper”) and the Evangelical


Council of Local Churches in the Holy Land (West Bank and Gaza). In Bethlehem we were able to host an


evening for local pastors and church leaders and their families. We found out something of their opportunities and many challenges in their witness in a situation of restriction and injustice, with the result that many Christians are now leaving the West Bank.


18 BAPTIST WORLD MAGAZINE


Their message to us is not to forget the “living stones” of the city where Jesus was born, and the land in which he walked. We were also able to visit the Bethlehem Bible College, which has several Baptists on its staff and which not only offers theological courses, but also has devised ways in which it can support the local economy, and try to help those in need, especially those who are part of the 50 percent unemployment statistic of Palestine.


Our Council then took place in Nazareth which is the center of Israeli Baptist life. As well as celebrating with our Israeli brothers and sisters their centenary of faithful witness, we were able to visit the Nazareth Baptist (High) School which has become known and respected for its high academic standards and its clear Christian ethos. Because of the political situation in the Middle East, none of the Baptist leaders of neighboring Arab countries were able to travel to Israel for the Council. They sent their greetings by video, and it brought home to the delegates the tragic divisions of the region. But a positive highlight of the Council was hearing from the founders of the organization Musalaha (“reconciliation”), one a Messianic Jew and one a Palestinian evangelical Christian. Musalaha works actively to promote what


New Member Body Baptist Convention


technological


changes and upgrades being made during meetings of the Executive Committee in early March.


in Rwanda was


accepted as the newest member body of the BWA. The Baptist group, comprising 127,001 members in 80


churches, brings to 222 the number of Baptist conventions and unions in 120 countries that hold membership within the BWA. It is the fourth church body in Rwanda to become a full member of the BWA, joining the Association of Baptist Churches in Rwanda, the Community of Christian Churches in Africa, and the Union of Baptist Churches in Rwanda.


(Continued on page 21)


Marilee White, left, a member of the Promotion and Development Advisory Committee and of the Commission on Social and Environmental Justice, converses with BWA Women’s Department Director Patsy Davis


The Reformed Baptist Convention in Rwanda was accepted as the newest member body of the BWA.


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