NEVILLE CALLAM from the

General Secretary

NEW VISTAS:  Beyond the Open Door

Since the inaugural Baptist World Congress in London, England, in 1905, the Baptist World Alliance has ranged far and wide in its choice of congress venues. The United Kingdom hosted two additional congresses – the Golden Jubilee Congress in London (1955) and the centenary congress in Birmingham (2005). All this was for understandable reasons. Continental Europe has welcomed four congresses – Stockholm, Sweden (1923 and 1975); Berlin (1934); and Copenhagen, Denmark (1947). According to past BWA president and general secretary, J. H. Rushbrooke, the Berlin Congress “worthily expressed the convictions of the great Baptist people.” Yet, that congress stirred controversy since tragically it took place when Hitler’s National Socialist German Workers Party was in power. Meanwhile, congress organizers did all they could so as not to offend the Nazis.

North America has hosted its fair share of Baptist World Congresses. Toronto, Canada, hosted two congresses (1928 & 1980). Six congresses were held in the United States – in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1911); Atlanta, Georgia (1939); Cleveland, Ohio (1950); and Miami Beach, Florida (1965). More recently, congress participants have met in Los Angeles, California (1985) and Honolulu, Hawaii (2010). Mention is often made of the Atlanta Congress that took place during what is sometimes referred to as the era of segregation in the US. At one of the events at that congress, more than 60,000 people were in attendance as the existing US segregation laws appear to have not been enforced fully in the city.

Three congresses have taken place in Asia Pacific. The first was in Tokyo, Japan (1970), and the second in Seoul, Korea (1990). Since then, BWA returned to the region for its 18th congress in Melbourne, Australia (2000). Many observers have commented on the memorable service during the Korean Congress when 10,000 persons were baptized in the Han River during a Saturday afternoon service. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1960), and Buenos Aires, Argentina (1995), are the two South American cities that have hosted BWA congresses. At the Baptist World Congress in Philadelphia, Brazilian Baptists issued an invitation for the BWA to convene the third congress in Rio, but they had to wait for 49 years to host their first congress. The closing celebration of this congress took place in the Maracanã Stadium at which Billy Graham was the preacher. The approximately 200,000 people in attendance – the largest gathering at a Baptist World Congress to date – listened to Graham’s sermon on John 3:16.

The 21st Baptist World Congress will take place July 22-26, 2015, when, for the first time, this premier BWA quinquennial event will be held on the continent of Africa.

When Durban was chosen for the 2015 Congress, South Africa had already distinguished itself as a world class desti- nation and had successfully hosted various international sporting events including the Rugby World Cup (1995); the cricket’s ICC Champions Trophy (2009); and the 19th FIFA Football World Cup (2010). The unanimous decision to convene the congress in South Africa is a sign of at least two significant facts. First, it represents BWA’s growing affirmation of its global dimensions. Second, it acknowledges that nearly 25 per cent of Baptists associated with the organization reside on the African continent.

Expectations are that the upcoming BWA congress will provide opportunity for immersion into the positive dimensions of South African life. South Africa’s historic demonstration of what it means for people to forgive one another emerged on the anvil of costly obedience undergirded by ubuntu. According to a white paper on welfare, issued by the South African government in 1996, ubuntu is: the principle of caring for each other’s well- being . . . and a spirit of mutual support . . . . Ubuntu means that people are people through other people. It also acknowledges both the rights and the responsibilities of every citizen in promoting individual and societal well-being. I hope that, in Durban, God will “do a new

thing” in the life of the BWA. Let us prepare to enter fully into contemplation of Jesus Christ, the Door, with our eyes wide open to the new vistas that will come into view as we pass through the gate that Christ Jesus opens up to those who believe.