BWA Global Council Resolution 2026.4

The Baptist World Alliance Global Council, meeting in Toronto, Canada, July 6-10, 2026:

ACKNOWLEDGES   

That Jesus Christ is Lord of all creation and that no nation, empire, ethnicity, ideology, or ruler may claim ultimate allegiance (Daniel 2:26-45; Colossians 1:15-20; Revelation 11:15);

That Jesus commends his disciples to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9), rejects the use of force in support of his kingdom (Matthew 26:52), and calls for us to pray for our nations to live at peace (1 Timothy 2:1-2);

That the people of God are called to live at peace amidst their neighbors (Romans 12:8) and serve as ministers of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-19);

That the means of the world to conquer are not those of the people of God (Eph. 6:12);

That sin shows itself in the world through oppression, injustice, and violence (Genesis 6:11), whereas the Kingdom of God is and always will be an expression of shalom – peace (Numbers 6:24-26; Psalm 29:11, 85:8; Isaiah 9:6-7, 26:3, 52:7; Zechariah 9:10; Luke 1:76-79; John 14:27).

REAFFIRMS the BWA’s prior resolutions concerning peacemaking amidst violence, military invasions, and civil conflicts (BWA Executive Committee Resolution 1968-08.1 Peace; 1973-07.2 Peace with Justice; BWA General Council Resolution 1988.5 Peacemaking; 2022.1 Ukraine; 2024.3 Peace in the Middle East).  

STANDS AGAINST assertions of power-based dominion by nations seeking to impose their will, ideology, or control over others in contradiction to international law and widely accepted principles of justice, and which undermine international order based on accountability and flourishing freedom. We similarly stand against governments that oppress or restrict the political liberty, civil rights, religious practice, or wellbeing of their own citizens (BWA General Council Resolution 2013.15 Human Rights Based on the Work of Anabaptist Richard Overton; 2022.2 Myanmar). 

DENOUNCES the rhetoric of political, cultural or ethnic domination, and rejects the misuse of religion to sanctify national ambition, ethnic superiority, territorial conquest, or coercive rule.

REJECTS the reemergence of imperial ideologies and theologies which seek to divide the world into zones of influence, imposing their will upon their neighbors or seeking coercive control in the name of power, proximity, religion, or history. For the same spirit which sought to subjugate indigenous people and ethnic minorities is the same spirit at work in this political ideology (BWA General Council Resolution 2023.1 Dignity and Justice for Indigenous Peoples; 2022.3 Restorative Racial Justice and Flourishing Freedom).

OPPOSES wars of ambition, the militarization of conflict, unilateral acts of aggression, unlawful annexation, illegal seizures, unjust coercive interference, terrorism by non-governmental entities and groups (BWA World Congress Resolution 1985.6Terrorism), economic exploitation, and corruption. As followers of Christ, we affirm that peace is rarely secured through violence nor justice through domination. 

GRIEVES the human cost of domination, including death, displacement, hunger, generational trauma, religious persecution, and the destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, and places of worship – impacting community identity and cultural legacy.  

APPEALS FOR a peaceful international community rooted in law, restitution for evils committed, mutual understanding rather than force or coercive control, and that exhausts all resources and means to promote civic responsibility, safeguard human life and dignity, and uphold a vision of equality, mutuality, service, just peacemaking, and flourishing freedom. 

ENCOURAGES Baptists to remember their heritage as peacemakers and reconcilers, as witnesses against the subjugation of other people, taking courage from the witness of BWA Human Rights Award recipients and many others around the world. 

INVITES Baptists to pray, teach, advocate, and work for just peacemaking based on the ten practices cited in BWA General Council Resolution 2011.9 A Statement in Support of the Practices of “Just Peacemaking”: 

1. Support nonviolent direct action,
2. Take independent initiatives,
3. Use cooperative conflict resolution,
4. Acknowledge responsibility for conflict and injustice, seek repentance and forgiveness,
5. Promote human rights, religious liberty, and democracy,
6. Foster economic development that is just and sustainable,
7. Work with cooperative networks in the international system,
8. Strengthen the United Nations and international organizations,
9. Reduce offensive weapons and weapons trade, and 
10. Support grassroots peacemaking groups and voluntary associations.  

URGES Baptists and all people to overturn domination, not sanctify it, to pursue a beloved community, and courageously work for just peacemaking and flourishing freedom locally, nationally, and internationally.