Baptist World Congress Underway in Brisbane, Australia
Baylor leaders, faculty & staff from across campus attend global gathering for worship, prayer, fellowship, teaching & service
Baptist World Alliance General Secretary and CEO Elijah Brown, Ph.D., greets attendees from the main stage as the Baptist World Congress opens in Brisbane, Australia. (Baylor University)
A year after becoming a full Baptist World Alliance Member partner, Baylor University, along with George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor's new University Chaplain and faculty and staff from across campus, are excited to attend the 23rd Baptist World Congress, a powerful time of worship, prayer, fellowship, teaching and service July 7-12 in Brisbane, Australia.
The Baptist World Congress is a one-of-a-kind opportunity that gathers Baptist sisters and brothers from around the world to learn how God is at work in and through the global Baptist family. This year's theme is “Living the Good News” with the anchor passage of Luke 4:18-19.
The BWC opened Monday, July 7, with two pre-conference events: the first-ever NxtGen Leadership Summit and Baptist Women’s Summit. Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., is among the Baylor contingent and participated in a leadership panel as part of the Baptist Women’s Summit. As she attends and participates in the BWC throughout the week, President Livingstone also will welcome and visit with Baylor faculty, staff and Baptist World Alliance guests on July 9 over coffee at the Baylor Lounge.
July 10 will be a busy day for Baylor participation in Baptist World Congress events. Baylor’s new University Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Life Charles Ramsey, Ph.D., will lead “A Prayer for the World” focused on Luke 4:18b. Ramsey also will be sharing video blogs, or “vlogs,” from the BWC that will be posted on Baylor Spiritual Life social media channels (Facebook and Instagram).
Also on July 10, President Livingstone will join BWA General Secretary and CEO, Dr. Elijah Brown, on the main BWC stage for a discussion about Baylor’s new Baptist World Alliance Program at Truett Seminary. The BWA Program is the first-ever university-based, graduate-level study center devoted specifically to the study of the life, history and ongoing mission and ministry of the Baptist World Alliance.
After the discussion, President Livingstone and General Secretary Brown will participate in a ceremonial signing of the BWA Program agreement. During a luncheon hosted by President Livingstone, BWA officials, leaders from the Baptist General Convention of Texas, which also is a member of the BWA, and education and ministerial leaders from across the globe will be on hand to witness this special moment.
Truett Seminary also is highly visible at the Baptist World Congress, as seminary faculty and staff, including Truett Dean Todd D. Still, Ph.D., engage in BWC events and conversations with attendees about certificate opportunities offered during the BWC as well as the newly established Baptist World Alliance Program at Truett. The BWA Program will offer multidisciplinary, academic and scholarly education, research, support and practical engagement, but of particular interest are seminars that will lead to a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) in collaboration with the John Leland Center for Theological Studies at the BWA global headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia.
In addition to those opportunities, Congress attendees will hear a keynote address by Truett affiliate faculty member Rev. Charlie Dates and participate in a Bible study led by Rev. Ralph D. West, who also serves as an affiliate faculty member.
Ahead of the Baptist World Congress, Baylor University Press released Good News for the World: Baptist World Alliance Resolutions and Statements, 1905-2023, edited by Lee B. Spitzer with a preface by BWA General Secretary Brown. Presenting the BWA’s resolutions in one volume for the first time, “Good News for the World” is an indispensable resource for the global Baptist movement and its scholars, historians, leaders and clergy. The volume is available at the Baptist World Congress.
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more about Baylor University at www.baylor.edu.
ABOUT THE BAPTIST WORLD ALLIANCE
The Baptist World Alliance, founded in 1905, is a fellowship of 266 conventions and unions in 134 countries and territories comprising 53 million baptized believers in 178,000 churches. For more than 100 years, the Baptist World Alliance has networked the Baptist family to impact the world for Christ with a commitment to strengthen worship, fellowship and unity; lead in mission and evangelism; respond to people in need through aid, relief, and community development; defend religious freedom, human rights, and justice; and advance theological reflection and leadership development.
ABOUT GEORGE W. TRUETT THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
George W. Truett Theological Seminary is an orthodox, evangelical, multi-denominational school in the historic Baptist tradition embedded into Baylor, a Christian R1 University. Truett’s mission is to equip God-called people for gospel ministry in and alongside Christ’s Church by the power of the Holy Spirit. Accredited by the Association of Theological Schools and affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and the Baptist World Alliance, Truett Seminary provides theological education leading to the Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Christian Ministry, Master of Arts in Contextual Witness and Innovation, Master of Arts in Theology, Ecology and Food Justice, Master of Arts in Theology and Sports Studies (online), Master of Theological Studies, Doctor of Ministry, and Ph.D. in Preaching. In addition to a number of distinctive programs, institutes and centers, Truett Seminary also offers joint degrees through Baylor University school/college partnerships in social work, business, law, music and education. Besides its flagship Baugh-Reynolds Campus in Waco, the Seminary also has locations in Houston and San Antonio. Visit the Truett Seminary website to learn more.