President's Blog

Imagine experiencing a “taste of heaven” in your lifetime.

I recently attended the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) Conference (July 7-12) in Brisbane, Australia. A congress that has met every five years over its 120-year history, gathering Baptists from around the world. My “taste of heaven” was seeing, meeting, talking to, and praying with leaders from 134 countries – so many different races, languages, and cultures were represented. And every one a Baptist!

The week began with mini-conferences for NextGen, missions, and women’s ministries, along with tours of indigenous and Christian camping ministries. Our FAIR Director and I enjoyed the missions mini-conference, hearing from speakers on current global initiatives.

The BWA (representing 53 million Baptists worldwide across 138 countries) Conference began with a stirring address from Dr. Elijah Brown, BWA President, and ended with an inspiring call to mission from Dr. Charlies Dates, lead pastor of a Chicago church, followed by a performance from his 80-member choir.

 

The conference theme was “Living the Good News” and the focus was a call to Baptists worldwide to become:

1. An Incarnational Community

2. “Disruptable” Disciples

3. Freedom Pursuers

4. Anointed Proclaimers

Attendees met in smaller groups for workshops, and in the huge auditorium (over 4,000 in attendance!) to focus on the above goals through preaching, testimonies, amazing reports, Scripture reading in multiple languages, inspiring video stories, and anointed praise and worship – imagine hearing the didgeridoo played alongside a guitar and drums during musical worship!

BWA’s “Acts 2 Movement” featured

BWA’s President, Dr. Elijah Brown, called on delegates to commit to the “Acts 2 Movement”, a series of  pathways toward seeking to “finish the task” before the 2000th anniversary of Christ’s resurrection in 2033 AD:

• The 2000th Anniversary of the death and resurrection of Christ.

• The 2000th Anniversary of Pentecost and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on all believers.

• The 2000th Anniversary of the birth of the Church, Christ’s Bride.

• The 2000th Anniversary of the inauguration of the Great Commission.

Dr. Brown called Baptist leaders worldwide to unprecedented collaboration by committing to one or more of the following “Five Paths” and five specific outcomes over the next nine years (2025-2033):

Path #1: The Bible Path — Acts 2:42

Baptists collaborate and partner to complete the translation of God’s Word into the remaining 1,159 languages where no copy of God’s Word exists.

What if Fellowship churches raised $2,000,000 toward this effort? See https://acts2movement.org/paths/bible-path/ if you want to read more.

 

Path #2: The Witness Path — Acts 2:41

Baptists share their testimony with 450 million neighbours over the next nine years.

What if Fellowship constituents were to share 720,000 testimonies and witness 180,000 new believers enter our churches by 2033? Visit https://acts2movement.org/paths/witness-path/ if you want to know more.

 

Path #3: The Care Path — Acts 2:44-45

Baptists complete one billion acts of service (kindness) by 2033, showing compassion and care to their neighbours.

What if Fellowship believers were to accomplish 2,160,000 acts of service (kindness) by 2033? What would 500+ communities in our nation look like? See https://acts2movement.org/paths/care-path/ if you want to know more.

 

Path #4: The Freedom Path — Acts 2:47

Baptists stand boldly for believers worldwide suffering from religious opposition, discrimination, and persecution by signing a “Religious Freedom” covenant.

What if 25,000 Fellowship church members and leaders became signatories of the BWA Religious Freedom covenant by 2033? See https://acts2movement.org/paths/freedom-path/  if you want to read more.

 

Path #5: The Neighbour Path — Acts 2:46

Baptists become their neighbourhood chaplain – learning their neighbours’ names, praying for them, and obeying the Spirit of God when He directs them to say or do something.

What if, by 2033, 8,000 neighbourhoods, among our 540 local churches, had a Neighbourhood Chaplain praying and caring for the people in their community? Visit https://acts2movement.org/neighborhood-chaplain-network/  to learn more.

Imagine, in the next nine years (2025-2033):

• $2,000,000 given toward Bible translation.

• 720,000 testimonies shared with 180,000 new believers.

• 2,160,000 acts of service (kindness) performed in 500 communities.

• 25,000 advocates for religious freedom.

• 8,000 neighbourhood chaplains involved in the ministry of presence in their community.

Go to https://acts2movement.org/  to read more.

Such an impact would surely make a difference in our communities and nation. Please pray about your involvement and your church’s involvement in the Acts 2 Movement to help see revival happen soon!