Baptist World Congress Underway in Brisbane, Australia

The Baptist World Congress, the 23rd such gathering, is being held July 7-12 in Brisbane, Australia. Baylor University, George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor’s new University Chaplain, and faculty and staff from across the campus are attending. The university became a full member partner of the Baptist World Alliance a year before the congress. The Baptist World Alliance, founded in 1905, describes itself as a fellowship of 266 conventions and unions in 134 countries and territories, with 53 million baptized believers in 178,000 churches. This year’s congress theme is “Living the Good News,” with Luke 4:18-19 as its anchor passage.

The congress opened on Monday, July 7, with two pre-conference events: the first NxtGen Leadership Summit and the Baptist Women’s Summit. Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone took part in a leadership panel at the Baptist Women’s Summit. She is scheduled to welcome Baylor faculty, staff and Baptist World Alliance guests over coffee at the Baylor Lounge on July 9.

On July 10, Charles Ramsey, Baylor’s University Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Life, is scheduled to lead a session titled “A Prayer for the World.” He also plans to share video blogs from the congress on Baylor Spiritual Life’s Facebook and Instagram channels. That same day, Livingstone will join Baptist World Alliance General Secretary and CEO Elijah Brown on the main congress stage to discuss Baylor’s new Baptist World Alliance Program at Truett Seminary. The program is described as the first 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, Livingstone and Brown are scheduled to sign the program agreement in a ceremony. A luncheon hosted by Livingstone will follow, with Baptist World Alliance officials, leaders from the Baptist General Convention of Texas (also a Baptist World Alliance member), and education and ministerial leaders from around the world expected to attend.

Truett Seminary staff, including Dean Todd D. Still, are also engaging attendees about certificate opportunities offered during the congress and the new program. According to the university, the program will offer multidisciplinary academic education, research, support and practical engagement. Seminars leading to a Doctor of Ministry degree are planned in collaboration with the John Leland Center for Theological Studies at the Baptist World Alliance’s global headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia. Congress attendees will also hear a keynote address by Truett affiliate faculty member Charlie Dates and take part in a Bible study led by Ralph D. West, another affiliate faculty member.

Ahead of the 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 Brown. The book collects the alliance’s resolutions in a single volume for the first time and is available at the congress.

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