Global Mission Center
BUILDING A MISSION TO THE NATIONS
The renovated Baptist World Alliance (BWA) Global Mission Center will serve as a dynamic home for equipping Baptists in 138 countries and territories for collaborative mission impact. It will stand as a beacon of prayer and action in the Washington DC area and unite the BWA and Baptist churches in raising a next generation of transformational pastors and leaders in the global ministry of Jesus Christ.
Since World War II, our global center for mission has been in the Washington DC area as a beacon of prayer and fellowship, discernment in action, and the missional work of worldwide Baptists.
Yet today, our facilities no longer reflect the vibrancy, scale, and future orientation of our mission. Just as past generations heard the Lord’s call to work together in Gospel generosity, we are called to “make disciples of all nations” as we hear the voice of the Lord to build a mission to the nations.
Why now?
It is an urgent need as we respond to incredible growth, strategic ministry, and unprecedented mission.
(1) Incredible Growth: In the past five years, the BWA has seen incredible growth as we seek to network the Baptist family to impact the world for Christ:
• Expanding into 13 new countries with 6 million additional baptized believers to a total of 53 million baptized believers in 138 countries
• Launching the largest Baptist mission network (BWA Global Baptist Mission Network) with over 7,000 missionaries and the largest Baptist aid network (BWA Forum on Aid and Development) which is now collectively investing $20 million every year into helping people
• Stood with the persecuted and war-torn, prayed passionately for every country, sent evangelism grants around the world, unanimously adopted the largest governance update in 50 years, established the first ever BWA program of study at a university, implemented the largest ever BWAid grant of $4.8 million, and helped many around the world
This incredible growth has created an urgent need for building renovation that is equipped for missional impact.
Bibles distributed by BWA to pastors walking 15 miles through persecution to copy Bible passages for preaching (Democratic Republic of Congo)
This renovation is not just about the BWA – it is about creating the premier Baptist center in the Washington DC area. This renovation will completely redesign the first floor of the building into a BWA center of mission to the nations. It will also create new space on the second and third floor. On the second floor, the intent is to provide a prominent home for the John Leland Theological Seminary, the only Baptist seminary in the Washington DC area. On the third floor will be NorthStar Ministries, the association of local Baptist churches. The BWA will rent to the John Leland Theological Seminary and NorthStar Ministries below market-rate in order to support their important ministries and to ensure your investment is maintained through building sustainability.
The BWA building will become a hub of ministry for global mission engagement, local church engagement, and a next generation of students preparing for ministry.
(3) Unprecedented Mission: The BWA’s Acts 2 Movement is an unprecedented call to collaborative global mission to mark in faithful obedience that 2033 is the 2000th anniversary of the death and resurrection of Jesus, Pentecost, the birth of the church, the Great Commission, and the first Christian martyr. The BWA is asking every Baptist to partner in the Holy Spirit and pursue mission impact by 2033:
Sharing 450 Million Testimonies • Praying for 1,159 Languages with No Bible
Translations • Caring for 1 Billion People • Enlisting 1 Million People to Sign a Covenant on Religious Freedom • Mobilizing 500,000 People to Serve as Neighborhood Chaplains
The renovation will create a new 7,000 square-foot BWA Global Mission Center that will serve as a dynamic home for equipping Baptists in 138 countries for collaborative mission impact.
The renovation will also make available an additional 7,000 square-feet to the Leland Seminary which is the only Baptist seminary in this area with a mission to raise a next generation of transformational pastors and leaders in the global ministry of Jesus Christ.
An additional 3,000 square-feet will be occupied by NorthStar Ministries, the local association of Baptist churches, and a remaining 4,000 square-feet will be rented as income generation, of which all of the o ces are already fully rented with a waiting list.
The renovation purpose fits the entire 22,000 square-foot building already fully owned by the BWA. It allows the BWA to charge below market-rate to the ministry partners of Leland Seminary and NorthStar so they can focus on mission while still creating a building that sustains BWA operational costs.
Located in the metro Washington DC area at 405 N. Washington Street, Falls Church, Virginia, the 7,000 square-foot BWA Global Mission Center will occupy the first floor of the building.
A Modern Space to Advance a Timeless Mission
A timeline mural of the first 100 years of global impact through the Baptist World Alliance
The Global Mission Center will include:
• Wisdom and Peacemaking Forum: A flexible sacred space that can hold about 100 people for worship, discernment, dialogue, and for a wide range of trainings and conferences
• Global Prayer Room: A dedicated space to intentionally pray for the peoples of the world with the insight of Baptists from around the world
• Welcome Center: A hospitality space to welcome Baptists from around the world as well as key government, religious, and public square leaders that tells the history of Baptist faithfulness while inspiring new generations to serve
• Renovated O ces: Modern, flexible workspaces that can serve directors based at the BWA Global Mission Center as well as interns, visiting team members, and remote workers
• Additional Impact Spaces: Additional spaces such as the Mission Room, the Unity and Service Breakout Room, the Commons, a dedicated Media Room, and outdoor hosting patio
• Technology and Global Connectivity: Ensuring every meeting can connect globally, every person can feel at home, and every Baptist remains called to live as a missionary
and unity in mission, prayer, and hospitality. You will strengthen religious freedom and biblical witness as we engage government leaders, embassies, and many other leaders. You will inspire future generations through a center that reflects Baptist history, mission, and hope.
As the first major renovation in 30 years, your gift is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to partner and impact within a sustainable financial model that will touch many with Gospel witness.
NAMING
OPPORTUNITIES (as of September 2025)
Wisdom and Peacemaking Forum: $1,000,000
Welcome Center: $500,000
General Secretary and CEO Suite: $300,000
O ce Suite: $250,000
Commons: $200,000
Breakout Rooms: $100,000
Prayer Room: $75,000
Media Room: $50,000
Galley: $50,000
Individual O ces: $50,000
Reception: $25,000
Would You Join Us?
As Habakkuk prays, “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known.”
By investing in this renovation, you are building more than walls – you are building a mission to the nations that will serve Christ and his Church to the ends of the earth as we unite in shared participation in God’s mission.
Would you give today with Gospel generosity?
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine giving BWA General Secretary Elijah Brown a national order of service in appreciation for BWA aid and advocacy for just peace
Partnership Associate where she is now helping build and strengthen mission partnerships around the world as the BWA seeks to share the Gospel with the 3 billion
BWA TEAM
Elijah Brown General Secretary and CEO Elijah.Brown@BaptistWorld.org
Jenny Stewart Director of Ministries and COO Jenny@BaptistWorld.org
BWA TRUSTEE COMMITTEE
Jerry Carlisle (Chair), USA
Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, Ghana
Fernando Brandao, Brazil
Lynn Green, United Kingdom
Karl Johnson, Jamaica
John Kubichek, USA
Melody Maxwell, USA
Gifts can be given through a wide variety of mediums and can be given as a one-time investment, over several years, or through planned giving. Scan for more information or to GIVE TODAY. people around the world who are unreached with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Monica Teal Director of Finance Monica@BaptistWorld.org
Merritt Johnston Director of Communications and Media Merritt@BaptistWorld.org
Lone Møller-Hansen, Denmark
Wissam Nasrallah, Lebanon
Samaresh Nayak, India
Albert Reyes, USA
Jan Saethre, Norway
Adebola Samson-Fatokun, Nigeria
Warren Stewart, USA
PHONE: 703.790.8980 WEB: BaptistWorld.org/give EMAIL: fd-bwa@baptistworld.org (for questions & stock transfer information)
