The remaining resolutions were passed out. Hobbs stated that the Resolutions Committee wished to take note of the Centenary celebration of the beginning of Baptist work in the U.S.S.R. to be observed later in the month. In order to give tangible expression of the love and appreciation of Executive Committee members, a Russian Bible was presented to Sergei Timchenko. It was inscribed:
Be it therefore resolved that we renew our consecration to the work of evangelism, evangelism being understood to involve both the redemption of the individual, that individual’s growth in Christian character and service, and his involvement as a Christian in the broad spectrum of the life of his total environment.
This statement was not in the form of a resolution. Copies of a suggested communication to the World Council of Churches were distributed. The Resolutions Committee suggested that a similar statement go also to the European Council of Churches, to be presented by Goulding, and that Tuller and Payne present the one to the World Council of Churches at the forthcoming meeting of its Central Committee in Crete.
That we express our deepest gratitude to Dr. William R. Tolbert, Jr., President of the Baptist World Alliance, Vice President of Liberia, and Presi-dent of the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention, and Mrs. Tolbert for being the perfect host and hostess, and
BWA Executive Committee Resolution 1963-08.1 We, who have been visiting Baylor University in connection with the 1963 meeting of the Executive Committee of the Baptist World Alliance, desire to express our sincere appreciation to all who have made our visit so...
The Executive Committee of the Baptist World Alliance takes note with deep sorrow of the violent death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior. They recall with thanksgiving his strong compassion for the underprivileged and oppressed, his unshakable courage in the pursuit of what he believed to be right, and his advocacy of a non-violent solution to evils and injustices in society.
Gerhard Claas presented this resolution. Considerable discussing arose regarding the use of various words and phrases. However, MOTION was made, seconded, and carried, that the resolution on religious liberty in Spain be approved as presented by the Resolutions Committee:
Recognizing the tragic needs of Nigeria at this time, the Executive Com-mittee of the Baptist World Alliance resolves to send the sum of $6,000 to help meet the needs of suffering people in Nigeria, as a first step. While acknowledging the sacrificial giving of some of its member bodies already to this cause through other agencies, the Executive Committee resolves to appeal immediately to all member bodies of the BWA to respond now to the present Nigerian crisis, by sending all available gifts to the BWA Relief Committee for this purpose.
Hospitality may be described as the gracious art of anticipating certain human needs and meeting them with cordiality. Hospitality is a virtue to which the Bible gives high commendation. When we see it demonstrated by those of our own day and generation we likewise commend it. When it is extended to us personally we are especially grateful.
1. We the Executive Committee of the Baptist World Alliance in Baden near Vienna, Austria, August 2-6, 1969, are deeply concerned about the continuing need of the many people in the world who are suffering hunger and who are in need of necessities of life.