Friday, July 24, 2009

Amsterdam 400 begins

Callam

Dutch band and singing group

Tony Peck and Toma Magda

Choir

The European Baptist Federation (EBF) kicked off the 400th anniversary celebration of the founding of the Baptist movement at the RAI International Exhibition and Congress Center in the Netherlands on Friday, July 24.

BWA General Secretary Neville Callam was guest speaker at the Opening Celebration of Amsterdam 400, as he challenged the several hundred worshipers to remember the past as well as the future – evangelizing and holding onto the promises of God’s salvation.See story on Callam's address.

Worship was led by a music band and singing group of Dutch Baptists, formed for the occasion. EBF President Toma Magda of Croatia and General Secretary Tony Peck of Britain, extended welcome, as did Callam on the behalf of the BWA. Albrecht Boerrigter, General Secretary for the Union of Baptist Churches in the Netherlands offered welcome for Dutch Baptists.

Alle Hoekema, a board member of the Society of Mennonites in the Netherlands, brought greetings on the behalf of the Mennonite World Conference, and expressed gratitude to Baptists for helping to spur the mission movement among Mennonites. Hoekema shared briefly on the history of collaboration between both groups and the close theological convictions shared by both Baptists and Mennonites.

Magda and Peck recounted the work and history of the EBF, which also celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, in mission and evangelism, such as the EBF Indigenous Mission Project; religious freedom, including its visit to Azerbaijan in January; human rights, such as the program to combat human trafficking; humanitarian aid, including assistance to victims of conflicts in Gaza and Georgia; and theological education, in particular its work through the International Baptist Theological Seminary in Prague, Czech Republic.

Theo Angelov, EBF general secretary from 1994-2004, offered prayer.

The Amsterdam 400 celebrations continue until Sunday, July 26.