Press Releases
The International Year of Disabled Persons
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance:
1. Gives full support to the General Assembly of the United Nations in its proclaiming 1981 as the International Year of Disabled Persons with the keynote theme, “full participation and equality,” whose aim is to encourage the rehabilitation of an estimated 450 million people who suffer from some form of physical or mental impairment.
The AIDS Crisis
As the General Council of the Baptist World Alliance meets in Nassau, the Bahamas, July 1988, the AIDS crisis continues to escalate on a global scale.
The 16,000 cases of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) reported in 1985 are now nearly 75,000 in 129 countries.
Health and Education
We hold the conviction that our ministry to people should be holistic, inclusive of the all important spiritual, and also of the physical and moral.
We acknowledge with joy the work of Baptist churches, associations, unions and mission bodies in ministries of health and education and would strongly encourage bold new ventures in poverty areas.
Fundamental Freedoms
Ever since the Baptist World Congress in Atlanta in 1939 the Baptist World Alliance has spoken out with regularity on behalf of religious freedom for all persons, and in more recent years on behalf of civil liberties generally.
World Hunger
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Nairobi, Kenya:
1. Aware of the constant struggle for physical survival in this continent as well as in the world, the present conditions in the Sahel being one tragic example, would there draw attention to the statement quoted in the report of the BWAid Committee as follows…”
Appreciation
Recognizing the extreme importance of an effective beginning for the General Council and Study Commissions for the 1981-85 quinquennium, we express our deep appreciation:
1. To the Baptists of Puerto Rico and especially to the Primera Iglesia Bautista de Carolina for their warm greetings and gracious hospitality.
Conference on Peace and Harmony
BWA General Council Resolution 1981.6 The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance: Expresses appreciation for...
Disarmament
We are encouraged by preparations now being made for another Special Assembly of the U.N. General Assembly on the subject of disarmament and recognize the crucial importance of this subject for the future of mankind.
Crisis in the Near and Middle East
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance wishes to state its concern and position regarding multiple but interrelated crises in the Near and Middle East in the following expressions:
1. We express our profound concern regarding the blatant disregard for human rights, civil liberties and national self-determination.
El Salvador
The Baptist World General Council, meeting in the Caribbean:
1. Has observed with profound concern and apprehension the continuing suffering and oppression of many in El Salvador;
2. Expresses its utmost sympathy with all those who are caught up in the present conflict.