BWA Global Council Resolution 2026.1

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

BELIEVES that everyone is created by God, in the image of God, and so possesses inalienable dignity and value, that Jesus Christ commands us to love one another, as he has loved us (John 13:34-35), and that the Bible contains many passages that affirm God’s love for people with disabilities and special needs. God said to Moses, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord?” (Exodus 4:11). King David welcomed Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son who was physically disabled, into his royal household, promising that he would “always eat” at the king’s table (2 Samuel 4:4; 9:6-13). Jesus welcomed people with various disabilities and offered them acceptance, compassion, and healing (Matthew 11:4-6; 15:29-32; John 5:1-8; 9:1-11). Peter, John, and Paul similarly reached out to people with disabilities in the name of Jesus (Acts 3:1-10; 14:8-10). 

RECOGNIZES that an increasing number of people all over the world are living with challenging disabilities. According to the World Health Organization, approximately “1.3 billion people experience significant disability. This represents 16% of the world’s population” (WHO Global Report on Persons with Disabilities, 2023).

RECALLS the resolution adopted by the BWA’s 1980 World Congress held in Toronto, Canada, supporting “special consideration, care, and dignity” to people “who are disabled in any way” (BWA World Congress Resolution 1980.2 Religious Freedom and Human Rights). 

REAFFIRMS the action of the BWA General Council at its 1981 meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico, when it adopted a comprehensive resolution focused on the needs of people living with disabilities. Most significantly, the Council expressed support for the United Nations’ International Year of Disabled Persons initiative and its objectives (BWA General Council Resolution 1981.2 The International Year of Disabled Persons):

• To help disabled persons in their physical and psychological adjustment to society;

• To promote all national and international efforts to provide them with proper assistance, and to ensure their full integration into society; 

• To encourage study and research to facilitate their practical participation in daily life;

• To educate and inform the public of their right to participate in the life and the community, and 

• To promote effective measures for the prevention of disability and for the rehabilitation of disabled persons.

COMMENDS the United Nations for its continuing sponsorship of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is observed annually on December 3 to promote disability rights, inclusion, and awareness. The Council encourages Baptist congregations, educational institutions, mission agencies, and denominations to consider creative ways to acknowledge the annual International Day of Persons with Disabilities and integrate it into their activities calendar.

URGES the global Baptist family to avail itself of every opportunity to serve, welcome, and include people with disabilities and special needs in all aspects of its life and mission.  Recognizing that such individuals ought not to be viewed as mere objects of Christian ministry, but rather as active Kingdom participants with inherent value and unique spiritual giftings that the church requires to truly flourish, we recommend that the BWA and BWA Baptists develop and maintain access to helpful resources for churches as they seek to empower and care for people with disabilities and special needs.

INVITES Baptist congregations around the world to express their commitment to the BWA’s Acts 2 Movement’s “Care Path” (1 billion acts of service) by identifying as a “Friendly Church for People with Disabilities and Special Needs” and displaying the BWA’s initiative logo for this purpose. Serving as a friendly and inclusive church for people with disabilities and special needs may be expressed in many ways, such as:

• Setting aside at least one Sunday a year to focus on this aspect of the church’s life and ministry; 
• Ensuring that church facilities are fully accessible;
• Developing appropriate training (incorporating biblical, theological, and practical insights) for pastors, church leaders, and members, so that their congregations may more effectively empower and care for people with disabilities and special needs;
• Establishing a strong policy to safeguard people with disabilities and special needs against abuse and neglect
• Providing opportunities for people with disabilities and special needs to participate fully in worship and other congregational gatherings;
• Offering interpreters for deaf participants;
• Recognizing the leadership capabilities and spiritual gifts of people with disabilities and special needs, receiving from them the many gifts and insights they offer; 
• Supporting the missional work and ministry that individuals with disabilities and special needs may be called to embrace as disciples of Jesus Christ;
• Encouraging positive and healthy relational opportunities and friendships;
• Offering needs assistance (transportation, work opportunities, shopping excursions, dealing with medical situations, financial aid);
• Sponsoring appropriate discipleship and spiritual growth opportunities; and
• Joining denominational and educational initiatives to serve, support, and open opportunities for people with disabilities and special needs.