- Baptist Press - https://www.baptistpress.com -

Missions in action plans relayed for Australia by BWA organizers

[1]

WASHINGTON (BP)–A prayer vigil on the steps of Australia’s parliament building and a Habitat for Humanity-type housing project are among the avenues of missions in action planned for the Baptist World Alliance’s 18th Baptist World Congress, Jan. 5-9, 2000, in Melbourne, Australia.
Congress participants also will work with inner-city youth, visit hospitals, join Australian Baptists in an environmental project and witness in a street ministry and a global festival aimed at the diverse Melbourne population.
The congress is described by BWA General Secretary Denton Lotz as “ a world model for where Baptists are going in the next millennium.”
Along with these plans for involving as many Baptists as possible, focus groups will deal with theological issues such as the uniqueness of Jesus Christ. Mission and evangelism groups will look at the unfinished task of sharing the gospel with the whole world and how best to equip students to present Jesus Christ to their peers.
Ethical issues such as the sanctity of life and the status of children will be discussed, along with human rights and justice concerns, such as religious freedom and the fight against racism and ethnic conflict as an integral part of the Baptist witness. Other focus groups will look at worship and spirituality, topics that now divide many Baptist churches, and the need for Christian education in maintaining a Baptist identity.
The BWA congress program committee reviewed the various ministry and discussion plans during the BWA General Council meeting July 11-17 in Dresden, Germany.