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Among the hundreds of delegates attending are World Council of Churches (WCC) vice moderator Rev. Merlyn Hyde-Riley and WCC president from North America Rev. Dr Angelique Keturah Walker-Smith.
The gathering began with the 10th Baptist International Conference on Theological Education, held once each quinquennium to draw together Baptist theologians, theological educators, and others around a specific theme.
“It included special guest speakers with teaching and discussions, impactful worship, and networking, creating space for all participants to learn from one another and grow as disciples of Christ,” said Walker-Smith, who moderated an evening session with Baptist peacemakers from Ukraine, Ghana, Israel, and Palestine.
Walker-Smith also preached at Christ Baptist Church, Gbagada in the Lagos area, bringing a message entitled “The Power of the Resurrection and the Call to the Lord’s Table of Shalom” based on John 20:19-22.
Hyde-Riley gave the closing prayer and benediction during that service, and also gave the homily at the closing service of the 10th Baptist International Conference on Theological Education, bringing a vision of a new world order.
“Let’s receive this vision as an invitation to check ourselves and resist the temptation of domination, for it is that which feeds many conflicts,” she said. “Ten percent of people own 76% of the total net wealth in the world.”
The Baptist World Alliance global gathering is convening to pray, learn, plan, share meals, encourage one another, and rededicate themselves, alongside their sisters and brothers in Africa, to pursuing God’s mission as a global Baptist family.
Walker-Smith serves on the Baptist World Alliance’s Human Rights, Peace, & Reconciliation Commission. She will make a presentation related to a resolution on hunger and poverty from the commission as well as serve on a Baptist World Aid panel addressing “The Impact of the Climate Crises on Hunger and Poverty in Africa.”
