Baptist World Centenary Congress Festivities Continue on 3rd Day

The Baptist World Centenary Congress currently taking place in Birmingham, UK has moved into its third day, and has seen a festival-like atmosphere overwhelm many of its delegates. During the day ‘Congress Unplugged’ was held in the International Convention Centre.

The event was held with founder of Oasis Trust, Rev Steve Chalke, and author of Taming the Tiger, Tony Anthony, as well as the Korean Folk Ensemble and a Congo worship music group.

The array of colours in the Korean Folk Ensemble as well as their beautiful harmonic music was greatly appreciated by the delegates, as the diversity of the Baptist denomination was revealed clearly.

Tony Anthony, gave his remarkable testimony of how God found him, and despite many failings he has learnt to become a true instrument of Christ. He told how he realised God’s love from a prison cell after a violent past, and how God overcame obstacle after obstacle to hold onto him. He testified, "God is not the God of just one chance, and not even of just two chances, he is the God that embraces always."

Rev Steve Chalke gave a passionate talk to the delegates, and attempted to clear up many issues surrounding his book, ‘The Lost Message of Jesus’. He told that, "God is not a vengeful God or an angry God...Christ went to the cross and on it laid himself out and showed us that he loves us this much. On the cross he soaked up all the sins of the world, and after death he is the one that rose again in a new life."

During Chalke’s talk there were many cries of "Amen!" as delegates were empowered by the reverend’s spirit-stirring words.

To finish the afternoon event, a Congo worship group performed heart-moving music that had all delegates uniting in the carnival-like atmosphere that has engulfed much of the Baptist Congress.

The evening session will see Solomon Ishola, the General Secretary of the Nigerian Baptist Convention lead the celebrations in the main Arena of the NIA.