Baptists gather in Hawaii for the 20th World Congress

'Hear the Spirit', the Baptist World Congress in Honolulu was told at its Wednesday night opening session this week.

Baptist World Alliance president the Revd Dr David Coffey described the Congress theme as 'a deep challenge to all our lives and ministries'.

He said that programmes and strategies could enrich churches' mission and bless a needy world, but 'if we fail to hear the Holy Spirit of the Living God, then all our serving will be futile and fruitless'.

Referring to Hawaii's position as a major centre for the film industry, he warned against taking too relaxed a view of mission and church life: 'The Holy Spirit is not interested in a popcorn and Coke culture.'

He encouraged his hearers to believe that 'the people of God are never a little people'. 'When the world has left the battlefield, the last people standing will be those who can exclaim, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me."'

The Congress follows other Baptist events in Hawaii - the BWA executive committee and general council meetings earlier in the week, and the Women's Leadership Conference (WLC).

The WLC at Waikiki's Sheraton Hotel last weekend dealt with issues including poverty and abuse as they affected women around the world.

Around 4,000 Baptists have registered for the Congress, many fewer than were expected. The shortfall is thought to be due both to the difficulty and expense of travelling to Hawaii from some parts of the world, and to the very strict US visa regime. For instance, The Baptist Times understands that in one country in Asia, more than 100 applicants were denied visas, and in one African country more than 50 visas were denied. Many more individuals have contacted the BWA indicating that they would have attended if they had received permission from the US authorities.

The problems encountered are thought to make it unlikely that a major international Baptist event will be held in the US in the foreseeable future.

The Congress is publicising itself through social networks Facebook and Twitter for the first time, with participants encouraged to share their experiences. As The Baptist Times went to press, Joseph Oluwasegun Godwin from Nigeria had posted, 'Honolulu, Hawaii is going to Explode with the Power of God... I can't wait to Experience the power in Worships and Praises...Glory.'

The Baptist Times will have full coverage of the Baptist World Congress in our edition of August 6.