BWA General Council Resolution 2014.2

The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), meeting in Izmir, Turkey, July 9-11, 2014:

RECOGNIZES the very real dangers faced by many Christians in various parts of the world who experience intolerance and persecution from governments and authorities of different political, religious and ideological persuasions;

CONDEMNS the kidnapping of more than 200 young girls from the school of the Church of the Brethren in Chibok, Nigeria, by Boko Haram on April 14 of this year, which has been followed by further kidnappings and violence;

AFFIRMS its solidarity in sorrow and grief with fellow Christians in the Christ of the Church of the Brethren, pledging its prayers for the safety and release of the kidnapped students;

COMMENDS to BWA member bodies the use of the prayer resources the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria developed in response to the tragedy, that our prayer in unity with them may give expression to our mutual love in Christ;

CALLS UPON the governments and authorities in the region, including the African Union, to collaborate in the effort to secure the release the girls;

RESTATES its concern over targeted attacks and persecution against Christians as a minority community in North Africa and the Middle East as voiced in BWA Resolution 10 of 2013: “Crisis in the Middle East and North Africa.” Recent attacks include such kidnappings, the recent death penalty imposed in the Sudan on Miriam Ibrahim for her Christian faith; and the plight of some two to three thousand Christians in Eritrea who are currently imprisoned for their faith;

REMEMBERS the example of Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna {Izmir) in the second century, who, in the face of persecution, regarded faithfulness to Christ as of more value than life itself;

PRAYS that the Holy Spirit may strengthen vulnerable Christians in faith and hope through the mercies and promises of Christ, the Lord of life eternal;

REAFFIRMS its abhorrence of violence in the name of religion and commends the efforts of all who work for peace between people of different faiths; and

PLEDGES its continued work for religious liberty for all persons regardless of nationality, religion, or status.

Citations

Original Source Bibliography: Callam, Neville, editor. Baptist World Alliance 2014 Yearbook: Minutes of the General Council Meeting and Directory. Falls Church, VA: Baptist World Alliance, 2014.

Original Source Footnote/Endnote: Neville Callam, ed., Baptist World Alliance 2014 Yearbook: Minutes of the General Council Meeting and Directory (Falls Church, VA: Baptist World Alliance, 2014), pp. 138- 139.

Online Document Full Citation: BWA General Council Resolution 2014.2 Christians at Risk of Persecution; https://baptistworld.org/resolutions.

In-text Online Document Citation: (BWA General Council Resolution 2014.2).