P r a g u e – An experts conference at Prague’s International Baptist Theological Seminary (IBTS) has led to increased understanding between Baptist and Orthodox believers. From 8 to 12 February the seminary hosted a conference entitled 'Christian Mission in an Orthodox Context: Canonical Territory, Religious Freedom and Issues of Proselytism'. Co-host was the
‘Orthodox Faculty of St. Kliment’ from Ohrid University in the Bulgarian capital Sofia. The over 30 participants came from Orthodox, Baptist, Free Evangelical and Pentecostal denominations. Issues of human rights and religious freedom were discussed openly, for Baptists confront serious problems in those countries in which Orthodox make up the majority of the population. IBTS-Director Keith Jones drew a positive conclusion: The Baptist World Alliance has already held informal talks with the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate. It can therefore only be regarded as positive when Baptist and Orthodox academics strengthen their ties on the European level. The Bulgarian IBTS-Pro-Rector Dr. Parush R. Parushev (Prague) has been ‘trail blazer’ in his desire to improve understanding between Baptists and the Orthodox. According to Jones, he was ‘the driving force behind this highly-successful event’.

At the closing of the conference, Jones and Prof. Dr. Emil Trajchev, Dean of the theological faculty in Sofia, expressed interest in continuing the partnership between their two academic institutions. Eighty-six percent of Bulgaria’s 7,8 million residents are Orthodox, another 13% are Muslims. Its Baptist union consists of 95 congregations with roughly 5.000 members.