"We Must Change Our Method", Kim tells Baptist Centenary Congress

The message going out to members of the Baptist Church at the opening ceremony of the Baptist World Centenary Congress last night was the need for a re-thinking of strategy in bringing the living water of Jesus Christ, the theme of the Congress, to the people of the world.

Flamboyant president of the Baptist World Alliance, Dr Billy Kim, opened the BWA Congress with the question: “Where is the modern-day Spurgeon?” The Spurgeon he was referring to was Charles Haddon Spurgeon who had preached to a crowd of 12,000 Baptists. His question was whether or not the Baptist Church had responded effectively to the changes in society, community and the world in the 100 years since that sermon.

“Although water is everywhere, people suffer from an unquenchable thirst. Every person needs the living water from our Lord Jesus Christ,” said Dr Kim.

He added: “Where is the modern-day Spurgeon? If we intend to reach the world, we must change our method, while holding to the unchanging biblical truth.”

To illustrate his question, Dr Kim drew on John 4, where Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at a well. He said the modern-day Church should play the same role and responsibility as Jesus Christ in bringing his living water to the thirsty Samaritan woman – the unsaved people of the world.

Earlier in the evening, David Coffey, general secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and sole nominee for the presidency of the BWA, thanked all members who had travelled from around the world to attend the event, which marks 100 years since the founding of the BWA in London in July 1905, despite recent events.

He said: “Your presence is a dream fulfilled. We prayed that you would come in great numbers despite the bombs and security alerts. Thanks to the people who send greetings to British Baptists since the 7th of July.”

Mr Coffey continued: “We said it was important to come to Birmingham as a witness to our solidarity ...we want to prove that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God, who is present in the Christ Jesus.”

The Opening Celebration also saw a lively performance in the Procession of the Nations from representatives of some of the 211 nations in their national dress.