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2022 BWA Annual Gathering: A Strong Voice for Racial Justice
Racial justice was the theme of this year’s Baptist World Alliance Annual Gathering, held July 10–15 in Birmingham, Alabama. It was the first inperson gathering since 2019 and saw some 600 Baptist leaders from around the world attending in a hybrid format (150 people participated virtually). In his remarks during the opening worship celebration, John K. Jenkins Sr., senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Maryland, quoted Martin Luther King, Jr.: “We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.” His remarks help set the tone for the week’s activities centered around BWA’s focus on “being a strong voice” for racial justice.
In keeping with the week’s theme, attendees had the opportunity to earn a racial justice leadership certificate. They were required to participate in two racial justice forums and a minimum of five BWA commission presentations. Leadership certificates were awarded to 21 people during the final General Council session.
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Dr. Allan Boesak from South Africa was one of the featured speakers, along with Bryan Stevenson of the Equal Justice Initiative. Attendees joined their voices in singing and declaring the glory of God and the call for justice, and prayers were offered for those facing challenges around the world, including Myanmar/Burma and Ukraine. Several resolutions were passed regarding Ukraine, Myanmar, Restorative Racial Justice and Slavery Reparations and can be found at https://baptistworld.org/?s=2022+ resolutions.
DCBC Well Represented at the BWA Annual Gathering
Our own James Barbour (Fort Foote Baptist Church) serves as the North American Baptist Fellowship Disaster Relief Coordinator, and in his presentation during the regional meeting, he encouraged others to engage in disaster relief ministry. Florence and Kayode Opadeji (Alafia Baptist Church) both received a Christian Leadership Certificate in Racial Justice, as did Rev. Dr. Emmanuel McCall, a trailblazer who has spent much of his life working for racial justice, and renowned Baptist peace activist Daniel Buttry. Patricia Hernandez (Washington Plaza Baptist Church) presented a paper to the Commission on “Racial, Gender, and Economic Justice.” Rev. Emmett Dunn serves on the General Council as the representative from Lott Carey Missionary Society, and Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin also serves on the General Council as a DCBC representative, as well as a Vice President for the North American Baptist Fellowship.
August/September 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter 24
Rev. Dr. Kayode Opadeji (2nd from left in beige) and his wife, Pastor Mrs. Opadeji of Alafia Baptist Church, Maryland, are pictured with BWA General Secretary, Elijah Brown (3rd from left) and other attendees at the BWA Annual Gathering
DCBC’s Emergency Response Team Coordinator, James Barbour, talks about disaster relief at the North American Baptist Fellowship meeting, held at the BWA Annual Gathering.
Below left, Rev. Dr. Kayode receives his Christian Leadership Certificate in Racial Justice. Below right, Rev. Dr. Manarin delivers remarks during the BWA Annual Gathering.
