More than 3000 people from across the world gathered in Brisbane this month for the 23rd Baptist World Congress.

It was a wonderful, joyful, challenging and memorable experience, as followers of Jesus from 130 countries came together for worship, learning, equipping, networking and prayer. Participants were urged to leave Brisbane with a renewed commitment to ‘Living the Good News’ in local communities across the globe.

Some congress highlights included:

• • Seeing many of our alumni enjoying the congress and the opportunity for them to connect with each other, current team members and partners from across the globe. A special reunion was with a former team member who served in PNG meeting one of the students she taught decades ago.
  • Connecting with Australian Baptist pastors and supporters, putting faces to names and hearing about their church communities and mission engagement.
  • Joining around 100 participants from around the world in two Intercultural Immersion Experiences facilitated by our team. We visited two Brisbane faith communities and heard from various people living out the good news with intercultural communities and those on the margins. Here is a recap of tour >>

• The wonderful, giving spirit of so many Queensland Baptist volunteers.
• The launch of the 2033 Acts 2 Movement by Baptist World Alliance CEO Rev Dr Elijah Brown. Looking to 2033 and the 2000th anniversary of Christs’ death and resurrection, Pentecost and birth of the church, this initiative invites Baptists from across the world to unite in a renewed missional commitment. You can read more here >>
• Baptist Mission Australia being formally welcomed as a new ministry partner of the Baptist World Alliance, joining 16 other new partners endorsed at the BWA Global Council meeting.

• Sharing in worship with followers of Jesus from across the globe as we celebrated God’s goodness and had a small glimpse of the Revelation vision of people from all nations, tribes and languages worshiping together.
• The launch of a new Australian Baptists video, produced by Australian Baptist Ministries. It’s an inspiring video highlighting what God is doing across Australia and the world through our national movement. You can watch the video here >>

It was our privilege to be part of this significant opportunity for the global Baptist family to join together. Pray that each participant will be spurred on live out the good news in their context and community.