News
Voices heard about the 10 years of conflict in Syria
It is hard to believe that it is 10 years since a terrible civil war erupted in Syria. It has left over 380,000 people dead and a further 200,000 missed, presumed dead. Many have been injured, have lost their homes and millions forced to flee Syria for neighbouring countries such as Lebanon. But through the witness of Baptists in Syria, in Lebanon, and around the world God’s love and the light of Christ have penetrated the darkness of war and conflict.
IBTS Centre announce New Chair in Christian Social Ethics at VU Amsterdam
As of March 1 this year, the Executive Board of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) has appointed David Gushee (US) as professor on the new endowed Chair of Christian Social Ethics at the Faculty of Religion and Theology and is established in cooperation with the International Baptist Theological Study Centre (IBTS Centre) in Amsterdam.
European Baptist Federation Appoints Coordinator for Migration Issues
Following a regional search and interview process, the European Baptist Federation (EBF) has appointed Will Cumbia as the EBF Coordinator for the Migration Issues (part-time).
Baptist World Alliance Calls for Equitable Global Vaccine Distribution
Inequality has been exposed in a multitude of ways during the COVID-19 pandemic. As disciples of Jesus, we anticipate his Kingdom of peace and justice and respond to our collective biblical mandate to confront all forms of human inequality. Our solemn plea is that the global vaccination plan would be a near-unprecedented model for global human equality.
Statement on the Postponement of the EBF Event 'SENT 2021' until 2023
It is with great regret that we have now had to take the decision that, because of the continuing presence of the Covid-19 Pandemic and great uncertainty about when international gatherings will again be possible, our SENT 2021 event will not now take place in Stavanger, Norway from 21st-25th July, as planned. Yet there is a strong invitation from Norwegian Baptists not to cancel the event but postpone it until July 2023, when they would hope to welcome us all to Stavanger for ‘SENT 2023’.
EBF Candidate Search: Coordinator for Migration Issues
At its Council last year the EBF established a new commission, the Commission on Migration, to more effectively assist our member bodies in their ministry for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. We are delighted that BMS World Mission wishes to support this strategic development and is giving financial support for the EBF to employ a part-time Coordinator on Migration Issues. We invite you to be part of the search process.
Sharing the Word of God across the EBF in Advent
During the season of Advent in a year that has been very challenging for all of us, the EBF suggested that churches might like to invite preachers from other countries to share the Word of God with them online.
EBF partners faithfully serving the least of these through the pandemic
Earlier in the year, EBF partners came together in conjunction with the Baptist Forum for Aid and Development (BFAD) to support COVID-19 relief efforts for the most vulnerable across the EBF region, specifically in Lebanon, Greece, and Turkey. Since then, each of these three contexts have experienced additional tragedy on top of the pandemic.
‘Declaration of Humanity’ opposes all forms of sexual violence
This week the UK Government has published a ‘Declaration of Humanity’ by Faith and Belief Leaders in the UK, to condemn all forms of sexual violence, to urge that survivors of such abuse are given a voice and to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
Two new churches opened in the conflict zone in Ukraine
The Baptist Brotherhood of Ukraine celebrated two special events at the end of October. Two Baptist churches in the Donetsk area – Umanske settlement and Pokrovsl town – were opened … during the seventh year of the conflict.