B e r l i n – Baptists throughout Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia need to give hope to the people, the hope that comes from the Christian faith. This was the call issued by the General Secretary of the European Baptist Federation (EBF) Tony Peck (Bristol/Prague). Peck gave two reasons for this in his report to the EBF Council, taking place in Elstal near Berlin, namely that there are “the urgent need and also some open doors of opportunity”. He referred to a sentence written by the apostle Peter (1 Peter 3:15-16): “Always be ready to make your defence to anyone who demands from you an accounting of the hope which is within you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence.”

According to Peck, there is currently much concern and a loss of hope in Europe: “Much of Europe is in the grip of a financial crisis deeper than has ever been seen before.” Peck wondered whether Christians in this situation might be able to speak a word of hope to others that has “something to do with the values of the kingdom of God which turn the values of the world upside down and challenge an over-dependence on material wealth and the financial markets.” In the Middle East, revolutionary upheavals are the cause of anxiety, fear for the future and a lack of prospects. Peck called it a task of the church in this situation to share the faith in such a way that the truth of the Gospel for every area of life and society is clearly seen.

He emphasised the significance of evangelisation in this connection. In order to be successful, it must not take place in isolation from other aspects of God’s mission, namely caring for people in their needs, standing up for justice, and speaking prophetically against injustice and violent conflict. It is just as necessary to bring the word of God to bear on the economy, political life, ethical issues, and urgent environmental challenges.

In his report, EBF President Hans Guderian (Dallgow-Döberitz near Berlin) primarily presented prayer requests originating from visits to the countries of the Middle East and Russia, to the Ukraine and to Brussels, Belgium. Thus it is necessary to pray with increased fervency for the Christians in the countries of the Middle East, who are deeply unsettled by current developments. Concerning cooperation between Christians in East and West, we should pray that common prejudices and ignorance would be overcome. In addition, it is necessary to resist nationalism and a policy of separation.