Awards | Baptist World Alliance

 Awards

Recognizing Global Baptists Leader

Baptists around the world are leading in mission and evangelism, standing against injustice, and defending human rights. Through our annual and quinquennial awards, it is our honor to recognize the kingdom impact of their ministries.

Baptist World Congress Quinquennial Awards

Awards
Awards

The BWA-Kowloon International Baptist Church (KIBC) Evangelism Award is designed to recognize a Baptist congregation effectively uniting evangelism and discipleship. Presented every five years, the award will be given to a church actively engaged in sharing the Gospel through an innovative approach that is biblically-based, Christ-centered, and culturally-sensitive.

KIBC has been ministering in the center of life in Kowloon, Hong Kong, for more than 50 years and is a dynamic church with a heart for evangelism. With members from more than 30 countries, it has sponsored the launch of several “chapels,” including University Baptist Church and Clearwater Bay International Baptist Church. KIBC members have undertaken mission ventures in China, Cambodia, Mongolia, Myanmar, and the Philippines in fulfillment of the broad vision God has given to them. In keeping with this dedication to evangelism, Kowloon International Baptist Church has partnered with the BWA to establish this Evangelism Award and generously provide its funding. Click to view information about 3D Church in Estonia, the inaugural evangelism award recipient.

In addition to a focus on mission and evangelism, the BWA stands in support of religious freedom, human rights, and justice. To recognize leadership in this area, the long-standing Congress Quinquennial Human Rights Award is given for a lifetime of achievement to an individual who has shown significant accomplishments in global advocacy for human rights and the pursuit of social justice and peace.

It is awarded every five years, and awardees have included:

 

  • Sano Vamuzo, Nagaland, India (2025)
  • Raúl Scialabba, Argentina (2021)
  • Corneille Gato Munyamasoko, Rwanda (2015)
  • Denton Lotz, USA (2010)
  • Lauran Bethell, USA (2005)
  • Saw Simon, Myanmar (2000)
  • Jimmy Carter, USA (1995)

Denton & Janice Lotz Annual Human Rights Award

Established in 2006, the Denton and Janice Lotz Human Rights Award is given by the BWA for significant and effective activities to secure, protect, restore or preserve human rights. It includes all rights stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other declared rights by United Nations bodies such as the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, and the International Court of Justice.

  • 2024: Julie Mariama Sesay (Sierra Leone)
  • 2023: Mona Khauli (Lebanon)
  • 2022: Daniel Buttry (USA)
  • 2019: Burchel Taylor (Jamaica)
  • 2018: Christer Daelander (Sweden)
  • 2017: Cynthia Maung (Myanmar/Thailand)
  • 2014: Ilie Coada (Moldova)
  • 2013: Glen Stassen (United States)
  • 2012: Edgar Palacios (El Salvador)
  • 2011: Wati Aier (India)
  • 2009: Leena Lavanya (India)
  • 2008: Dennis Datta (Bangladesh)
  • 2007: João and Nora Matwawana (Angola)
  • 2006: Gustavo Parajón (Nicaragua)

The nomination process for 2026 will open soon.

 

Awards

2020-2025 BWA President Tomás Mackey presents Julie Mariama Sesay with the 2024 Denton and Janice Lotz Human Rights Award at the 2024 BWA Annual Gathering in Lagos, Nigeria.

Awards

Christer Daelander of Sweden receives the 2018 Denton and Janice Lotz Human Rights Award at the 2018 Baptist World Alliance Annual Gathering in Zürich, Switzerland.