BWA General Secretary Elijah Brown was honored to serve at Howard Payne University (HPU) in Brownwood, Texas, USA, earlier this month as part of the Currie-Strickland Distinguished Lectures in Christian Ethics. The focus was "Peace in Persecution: Stories of Baptist Efforts from the Front Lines." We also give thanks for the hospitality and prayer-filled leadership of HPU President Cory Hines and his family as well as Vice President for External Affairs Chris Liebrum, a longtime BWA committee member.

Howard Payne University was recently approved as one of the first of two BWA educational member partners, receiving an affirmative vote for membership by the General Council at the 2023 Annual Gathering in Norway. Join us in giving thanks for HPU's ministry and in prayer for the Lord's continued blessings in the school's mission to be a Christ-centered academic community dedicated to excellence by developing and equipping the whole person for intellectual inquiry, personal and professional integrity, and service to God and humanity. 

Pray for Chile

Please join us in prayer for our sisters and brothers in Chile. Almost 110,000 acres have been consumed by a fire in the cities of Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, Quilpué, and Villa Alemana. Two Baptist churches were destroyed. A Baptist pastor also lost his home, and 11 members of the congregation died as a result of the fires. There are more people missing and almost 20 churches of other denominations destroyed. Please join us in lifting up the following requests from leaders within the National Baptist Convention of Chile.

Please pray for...

• our country as we mourn the dead from the great fires that occurred in large sectors of the land of Chile.
• the step-by-step recovery of national reconstruction in lands that still smolder in ashes.
• the Baptist family who are suffering and grieving the loss of life as well as destroyed homes and churches.
• strength for the national and regional Baptist leadership who are providing support in the affected areas.

Pray for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Tensions in Goma and the surrounding communities have escalated, resulting in an increase in violence. All means of access to the city of Goma have been closed causing the price of food to increase by more than 200%. Over the last week, more than 80,000 families have fled their homes in Masisi and Rutshuru territories.

Please join us in prayer for:

• a restoration of peace in the region.
• the Lord's provision for the many who are displaced and struggling to find safe shelter and sufficient food.
• strength and support for Baptist churches within the region who are struggling to provide for the many displaced persons who are knocking on their doors.