The Annual Gathering of the Baptist World Alliance began on Monday, July 27, in Ede, Netherlands.
Approximately 400 Baptist leaders from more than 50 countries are meeting in the town of just over 107,000 people, some 38 miles or 62 kilometers from Amsterdam, the country’s capital.
Several key committees, including the Women’s Department Executive Committee, Baptist World Aid Committee, the Study and Research Executive Committee, as well as the Constitution and Bylaws and the Personnel Committee, met.
The Congress Program Committee, which helps to plan the 20th Baptist World Congress set for Hawaii from July 28-August 1, 2010, received reports and continued making preparations for the largest international gathering of Baptists. More than 10,000 persons are expected to attend the event planned for Honolulu, the capital of the state of Hawaii. The list of speakers, Bible Study leaders, and workshop topics are being finalized.
A communications training seminar was also held on the opening day of the Gathering with the topics “How to respond to a crisis – the guiding principles,” and “How to prepare an effective press release.”
The Emerging Leaders Network, a group of Baptist leaders mainly in their 20s and 30s, both lay and clergy, also met and shared fellowship.
Tuesday begins with worship and an orientation session for first time attendees to a BWA Annual Gathering.
