With praise to God who provides “every good and perfect gift” (James 1:17), we express deep appreciation for the generous response to the Africa Hunger Response Fund Appeal and for gifts is support of other Baptist World Aid projects,
WHEREAS terrorism as a technique of dealing with political or ideological conflict has dramatically increased during recent years, and
WHEREAS indiscriminate attacks against civilians through bombing of airplanes, highjacking, kidnapping, harassment and murder are direct attacks against the sanctity of human life and contrary to the will of God, and
Gathered in Los Angeles for the 15th Baptist World Congress in July 1985, we who represent Baptists from about 100 countries, wish to reaffirm our adherence to the cherished principle of religious liberty.
We see it being threatened today by religious persecution in many parts of the world.
This Congress receives with sadness the news of the appeal from the Board of Directors of the Baptist Convention of Nicaragua in a pastoral letter dated May 10, 1985 (and addressed to the American Baptist Churches of the USA, the Southern Baptist Convention of the USA, the World Council of Churches, the Latin American Council of Churches and Christian brothers and sisters of Nicaragua and the rest of the world).
We who have come together for many countries for this 15th Baptist World Congress 1985 praise God together for the good news of the Congress theme, “Out of Darkness into the Light of Christ.”
We believe this to be an essential message for this world stricken as it is with the darkness of death and disease, war and want, ignorance and unbelief, sin and disobedience.
The Baptist World Congress, meeting in Los Angeles, CA, July 2-7, 1985, declares its belief that racism and the Christian Gospel are incompatible. We ground this conviction biblically in the doctrine of creation whereby every human person is given dignity as made in the image of God (Genesis 1 :27) and in the doctrine of redemption whereby we proclaim salvation in Christ, crucified and risen, for people of all races and colors (Colossians 3:11), and the external purpose of God to unite all creation in him (Ephesians 1 and 2).
This 15th Baptist World Congress 1985 takes note of the 40th anniversary of the United Nations this year and records with gratitude the many UN activities in addition to seeking peace which are directed to improving the quality of life among the nations of the world.
BWA World Congress Resolution 1980.8 Appreciation Realizing that the 75th Anniversary is a peak experience for our growing and dynamic Baptist World Alliance, we offer our sincere appreciation To the Baptist Federation of Canada and its leaders for their outstanding...
Recognizing the grave world shortages of oil and many other sources of energy,
We urge on all governments and all members of our churches the need for careful and responsible husbanding of such resources, having in mind the effects of these shortages on the economies, especially of developing countries, and the requirements of succeeding generations.
Feeling the deepest disquiet over the plight of the homeless peoples of the world,
We plead with all governments to give care and human rights to the dispossessed peoples within their jurisdiction so they may live with hope and security within their own country.