In less than a week, the high-profile Baptist World Alliance (BWA) Centenary Congress will commence in Birmingham, England, bringing together over 12,000 people from 107 countries. Not only has it drawn attention from evangelicals and Baptists worldwide, but it also received greetings from British leaders. The Baptists’ commitment in the proclamation of the Gospel has been testified by many.
The illuminated American evangelists Rev Billy Graham, who has just declined an invitation from leading UK evangelicals to conduct a crusade in London due to his ill-heath, was the concluding speaker at Baptist Congresses for many years.
Rev Graham said, "I would like to send my warmest Christian greetings to all of you who celebrate the Centenary of the Baptist World Alliance. I am sure that I have many long time friends among those of you who have gathered as well as many more who have supported our ministry around the world and worked along side us in the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ across the globe down through the years."
Rev Graham is a very good friend of the top leadership of the BWA. He praised the outgoing BWA President Billy Kim and incoming BWA President and General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB) David Coffey, who will carry on the heavy load of responsibility.
Rev Graham blessed the BWA General Secretary Denton Lotz, "May God richly bless you in fellowship, give you great wisdom in each decision you take and renewed commitment to the proclamation of the gospel for the days ahead."
David Y. K. Wong, who served as president of the BWA from 1975-1980 and became the first Asian leader of the BWA, cannot attend this historical gathering as well. However, he shared, "In our world of violence, hate, and revenge the reconciling effort of all people of good will and Christians is sought and solely needed in this 21st Century perhaps just as much, if not more, than ever before."
"May all of us from the international Baptist community that both affirms and transcends all national and cultural differences take seriously the admonishment of our Lord Jesus Christ to be peacemakers and in doing so, be worthy of the name of the ‘sons and daughters of God’."
Even Her Majesty the Queen and top politicians in the UK have been aware of the occasion of the Baptist World Centenary Congress.
