BAPTIST WORLD AID T

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his year, 2015, marks the 95th anniversary of the Baptist World Alliance involvement in relief and development ministries. Now known as Baptist World Aid (BWAid), this ministry has continued to evolve to meet ever changing needs through collaboration with Baptists around the world.

of Baptist Aid and Development 95 Years Ninety five years ago, in 1920, Baptists from around the world

met in London, England, for an international conference called by the BWA. Europe was a bleeding and suffering continent. World War I, which occurred from 1914-1918, had destroyed much of Europe. Baptist leaders at the meeting, including representatives from Germany, decided to respond with practical relief to those who suffer. From the very beginning, an important principle of BWAid’s work was established – that of caring for all, regardless of religion or ethnicity. After the initial BWAid thrust to help rebuild war- torn Europe, BWAid became a flagship program of the BWA. The 21st

century is pushing Baptists and other evangelicals to impressive goals for evangelism and church growth, and Baptists are committed to this. Baptists are dedicated to a world that knows Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and where abundant

Top left: Medical aid after the Indonesian earthquake in 2006 Top right: Repairing a hand operated pump in Zambia Bottom left: Aid distribution to Syrian refugees in Jordan Bottom right: School at the Source of Light complex in Haiti, constructed after the 2010 earthquake

life is experienced by all. But Baptists are also committed to a world with no hunger and disease, where all have shelter, without stateless people and refugees, where full human and religious rights are extended to all and where people can live in peace with their neighbor. BWAid relies on individuals, the member organizations of the

BWA and their affiliates to cooperate in funding certain projects. Those who fund projects are kept informed on their progress and, in some cases, they receive copies of the reports on project performance. Implementing BWAid-funded projects is normally undertaken

in partnership with BWA member bodies. When a disaster occurs, BWAid works through BWA members to implement the first response phase and to execute needs assessment. For example, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) and Asia Pacific Baptist Aid (APBAid) undertook this responsibility as BWAid prepared to respond to the Japan earthquake and tsunami disaster in March 2011. Both CBF and APBAid carried out this function in response to a BWAid request.

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