Bournemouth - Less than three months before the ‘Amsterdam 400’ congress, the Europe-wide celebration of the founding of the Baptist movement in Europe, British Baptists focused on this anniversary at their annual Assembly. This gathering of the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB) and Baptist Mission Society (BMS) World Mission in Bournemouth from 1 to 4 May started with a short film that brought home the bravery and persecution of the Baptist pioneers. It featured Thomas Helwys, a key member of the first Baptist group in Amsterdam in 1609, who was later imprisoned in England for his convictions. The history of the Baptist movement in Europe was described in a seminar by British historian Dr. Ian Randall and Dutch historian Dr. Henk Bakker. Later in May, Bakker and Randall are due to lead a similar seminar at the Dutch Baptist assembly.

The persecution of Christians continues today and was a frequent topic during the Assembly. Dr. Tony Peck, General-Secretary of the European Baptist Federation (EBF), and Dr. Parush Parush, Director of the Institute for Systematic Study of Contextual Theologies at the International Baptist Theological Seminary in Prague, held a seminar on the persecution of Baptists today. Baroness Caroline Cox, the Director of an international humanitarian organisation, also shared her experiences with persecuted Christians around the world.

On the opening evening, London pastor Kingsley Appiagyei (56) was inducted as President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain. He is originally from Ghana and has planted the two largest churches in the British Union. In his presidential address, Rev. Appiagyei challenged the Baptists of the UK to become ‘an expectant community’. ‘God is a faithful God. This is the dawning of a new era, and as we put our hands together and believe God, God will visit his people afresh. God will forgive his people and heal our land. There will be a revival and a fresh awakening,’ he said.

Neville Callam, the General-Secretary of the Baptist World Alliance, called on the 2.000 participants to intensify their evangelistic efforts. Dependence on the Holy Spirit is a pre-requisite, for one’s own strengths and abilities are always limited. Other speakers at the Assembly included Baptist Union of Great Britain General-Secretary Jonathan Edwards, its Vice-President Dr. Pat Took, and David Kerrigan, who spoke for the first time in his new role as General-Director of BMS World Mission.

Dr. Lauran Bethell, American Baptist International Ministries' Global Consultant on issues of prostitution and trafficking, led a Bible study and seminar at the Assembly. She was enthused by the upcoming celebration of European Baptists. ‘It's so exciting to be celebrating the 400th anniversary of Baptists together. The stories of commitment, courage, audacity and ‘outside the box action’ of so many of our forbearers inspire and embolden us into the future.’

Two public resolutions were passed by the Assembly. It called on the government in London to ban the use of ‘Mosquito alarms’. An increasing number of British shops are using a noise instrument emitting very high sounds in hopes of forcing young people away from their premises. These sounds, which are not audible to most people over the age of 24, are disturbing to younger persons. Over 3.500 such alarms are reportedly already in use in Great Britain. The Baptist Assembly also resolved unanimously to call upon the government to improve the rights of asylum seekers. Asylum seekers who need to wait longer than six months for their cases to be resolved should be allowed to work. Detention of the children of asylum seekers should cease completely.

The Baptist Union of Great Britain consists of 2.150 congegations with a total membership of 142.000.