Baptist World Alliance Welcomes New Member from the Caribbean
St. Kitts Baptist Association Becomes 241st Member Body
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA – July 24, 2020)
During the 2020 Baptist World Alliance (BWA) Virtual General Council this week, council members voted unanimously to approve the membership application of the St. Kitts Baptist Association. Located in the Federation of
Saint Kitts and Nevis
, the association is the 241st member body within the 115-year-old organization.
Established in 1964 and revived in 2010, St. Kitts Baptist Association has 600 members in three churches and has convention offices located in Basseterre, St. Kitts. Their leadership includes Association President Lincoln D. Connor and General Secretary Michael Penny.
"The St. Kitts Baptist Association is an energetic group of believers who have been providing excellent leadership in the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship,"
said Roy Medley, Chairperson of the BWA Membership Committee. "
The Membership Committee welcomed their interest in joining and is greatly pleased to see the global fellowship of the BWA broadened by their membership."
As part of the application process, the association submitted supporting documents that included a statement of faith, organizational history, and documentation of their membership within the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship (CBF), one of six regional BWA fellowships.
"I am elated to know that the St. Kitts Baptist Association has been accepted as a member body of the Baptist World Alliance," said Everton Jackson, CBF Executive Secretary & Treasurer and BWA Director of Integral Mission. "The Baptists of this Caribbean country have had a long history of holistic service, ministering to both the spiritual and material needs of its congregants and members of the wider community. I am sure that in becoming a member of the global Baptist family, they will make themselves available to partner with the worldwide Baptists in integral mission."
Incoming member bodies are typically introduced and celebrated at BWA Annual Gatherings. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the BWA General Council had to transition to a virtual recognition. Despite the challenging circumstances, President Connor relayed his excitement at the opportunity to serve together with global Baptists at this time and in the future.
"We are delighted to be officially inducted into the membership of the Baptist World Alliance. As a local gathering, we believe there is scope for greater impact as we collaborate and fellowship with our brothers and sisters across the globe. Membership in the BWA is a reflection of the diversity of God’s Kingdom (Rev. 7:9)," said Connor.
During the 2015-2020 quinquennium, the Membership Committee has led efforts to welcome nine new member bodies from nine countries into the BWA.
"It is exciting to see how God is growing our global Baptist family as we now stretch across 126 countries and territories," said BWA General Secretary Elijah Brown. "We look forward to partnering together with St. Kitts Baptist Association in our mission to impact the world for Christ."
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