Annual Baptist National Assembly to Gather More than 1,500 Leaders

Under the theme "Celebrating Diversity", more than 1,500 Baptist leaders will attend their annual National Assembly on Saturday 23rd April at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre (ICC).

The theme of the Assembly this year was suggested by the Baptist World Centenary Congress which will be held in July at the same location. It has embedded the hope of Baptists to become a true body of Christ that can embrace all kinds of people with love.

"There are over 200 people groups and 300 languages spoken in the UK," said the Revd David Coffey, Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB) General Secretary.

"We did not want to promote the Baptist World Congress by suggesting that the world is coming to the UK as the world is already here in the UK and part of the British Baptist family. This Assembly is our opportunity to celebrate our diversity before we celebrate the global diversity at the Baptist World Congress in July."

The location of the event - Birmingham - is also a very diverse city. Rt Revd John Sentamu, Bishop for Birmingham, will be the keynote speaker. His address will be entitled "Changed from Glory to Glory: Transfigured for Service".

"I am very glad they have chosen to come and celebrate diversity here in Birmingham, where we enjoy being a truly multi-cultural city, learning and living together in what I now call Middle Earth," he said, "As Christians in this wonderfully varied society, I believe we are all called to service. God's glory has to be reflected in our world through our lives while his love draws us all into one global family, with the mutual responsibility and affection that is found in all families."

Revd Dr Alistair Brown, general director of BMS World Mission added, "We mustn’t limit our understanding to one way of seeing things, the way of our western culture. We have important insights but so do folks from other cultures and theirs are no less valid."

A session before the Bishop’s keynote address features a bible passage reflection from four different perspectives hosted by four Baptist leaders. They are incoming president, the Revd Roy Searle, the Revd Cham Kaur Mann, who is the first female Asian Baptist minister in the UK; the Revd Wagih Abdelmassih, minister of the London Arabic Evangelical Church; and the Revd Kingsley Appiagyei, a Ghanaian who leads Trinity Baptist Church, one of the fastest growing churches in London.

"It’s important that we see from all angles and listen to the voices which are not often heard. That way the understanding of all of us will deepen as well as our ability to work together in God’s service," Revd Brown of BMS World Mission said.

This year’s Assembly is shortened from the regular four-day to a one-day event due to the BWA Centenary Congress. The discussion on certain public issues will be replaced by a Question Time event. Roger Sutton, minister of Altringham Baptist Church, with panellists including Jubilee Debt Campaign co-chair Stephen Rand and the Revd Kate Coleman of Birmingham’s Regeneration Centre, incoming BUGB vice-president will host the session.

Also during the congress, induction of the new Presidents of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and BMS World Mission will be held.

To express the Baptists’ concerns over peace in Israel/Palestine, a vigil will be held outside the conference hall under the banner "British Baptists Remember Palestinians and Israelis Seeking Justice, Human Rights and Peace."

In the evening, a concert called Diverse, will feature reflective music from the Northumbria Community, rock worship band Revive, Gospel reggae/dancehall artist The Witness, and award-winning worship leader Martyn Layzell and his band.