BWANEWS INBRIEF
Paraguay Latin American Baptists Challenged to Exercise Holistic Ministries; New Leaders Elected
Baptist World Alliance (BWA) General Secretary Neville Callam called on Baptists in Latin America to exercise holistic ministry within their communities and countries. Addressing the Union of Baptists in
Latin America (UBLA) congress that was held in Asuncion, Paraguay, in April, Callam explained that focusing on meeting people’s social needs should not be understood as a distraction from the church’s evangelistic ministry.
The BWA leader urged delegates and participants to appreciate the transformational effects of Gospel proclamation, noting that it has both personal and social dimensions. Callam emphasized that
while Christ also Jesus transforms structures Raimundo Barreto,
transforms individuals, that
perpetuate injustice in society. BWA Director of Freedom and Justice, challenged
delegates and participants at the congress to
justify a separation of church and society. Barreto reminded Baptists in Latin America that there are important themes in the area of freedom and justice that have been overlooked by governments and civil authorities in Latin America. He urged Latin American churches to raise their prophetic voices to remind those authorities that there is a God who loves justice and demands just relationships among human beings. Fausto Vasconcelos, director of the
BWA Division of Mission, Evangelism and Theological Reflection (METR), also attended and reflected on the BWA historical commitment to evangelism. He informed the gathering of the Jesus Christ, Bread of Life strategy, the current evangelism training program of the BWA. Vasconcelos called upon Latin American Baptists to integrate the motto and the concepts of Jesus Christ, Bread of Life into their ongoing programs of evangelism.
Latin Americans Elect Leaders At an assembly convened immediately
Above: BWA General Secretary Neville Callam, 5th left, Directors Fausto Vasconcelos,1st right, and Raimundo Baretto, 3rd right, with leaders of the Brazilian Baptist Convention
respond to the divine mandate to love and practice justice, and to give witness to God’s love through actions in the wider community. He asserted that the principle of separation of church and state can no longer
after the congress, UBLA elected José Parrish Jácome Hernandez from Ecuador as its new general secretary. The new leader for Latin American Baptists has had a long association with UBLA, and was vice president before being chosen as UBLA’s general secretary. He was president of the Ecuadorian Baptist Convention for five years, from 1997-2002, and has served as dean of the Ecuador Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been senior pastor, along with his wife, Toyi, of Israel Baptist Church since 2004, after having served other congregations in Ecuador.
He holds a doctoral degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena,
BWA METR Director Fausto Vasconcelos, right, speaking during the UBLA congress. With him is translator Elbio Marquez, UBLA director of mission
California, in the United States, a master’s degree from the South American Seminary in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, and a degree in economics from the University of Guayaquil.
He succeeds Alberto Prokopchuk of
Argentina, who did not seek re-election to the position. The congress made expressions of thanks to Prokopchuk, who was UBLA general secretary and BWA regional secretary for Latin America for 11 years. Ivan Martinez of Venezuela was re- elected to another term as UBLA president. Hundreds of Latin American Baptists attended the congress of UBLA that was held in Asuncion, Paraguay, while leaders of conventions, unions, and other delegates participated in the assembly that held elections along with other decision meetings. The meetings ran from April 19- 21 at the Conmebol Convention Center.
Below left: Fausto Vasconcellos, 1st left, Neville Callam, 3rd left, and Raimundo Baretto, 1st right, with leaders of the National Baptist Convention of Brazil
Below: A Paraguay church group presents a liturgical dance during the UBLA congress
JULY/SEPTEMBER 2012
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