FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – July 10, 2025) More than 3,000 Baptists from 130 countries are gathering in Brisbane, Australia, and online July 9-13 for the 23rd Baptist World Congress.
Held every five years, this global event draws together thousands of Baptist denominational leaders, pastors, missionaries, and lay people for a powerful experience of worship, prayer, fellowship, teaching, and service. The Congress includes activities for all ages with special teen and children’s programs to engage the youngest generations of the Baptist family.
Throughout the week, Congress participants are exploring the theme “Living the Good News” based on Luke 4:18-19 with plenary sessions focused on living the good news as “incarnational community,” “disruptable disciples,” “freedom pursuers,” and “anointed proclaimers.”
A diverse group of speakers, Bible study leaders, and small group facilitators from Australia, Brazil, Croatia, France, Kenya, Korea, Lebanon, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Syria, Togo, the United States, and more are leading Congress attendees in meaningful times of learning and connection.
Plenary session speakers include BWA General Secretary Elijah Brown; John Kim, (Executive Director of Good Steward in Korea); Dale Stephenson (Pastor of Crossway Baptist Church, Melbourne, Australia); Jennifer Lau (Executive Director of Canadian Baptist Ministries); Kay Warren (cofounder of Saddleback Church and founder of Hope for Brighter Tomorrows); Marsha Scipio (Director of Baptist World Aid); Amanda Mukwashi, (United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Kingdom of Lesotho); Kethoser ‘Aniu’ Kevichusa (Director of Intercultural Learning and Collaboration for BMS World Mission, Nagaland, India); and Charlie Dates (Pastor of Salem Baptist Church, Chicago, USA).
Special symposiums focused on mission, preaching, and aid are also part of the Congress experience. The Mission Conference, facilitated by the Global Baptist Mission Network, held Wednesday, July 9, explored ways Baptists can collaborate as we move toward 2033 – the 2000th anniversary of the church.
Aid and Development-focused events include a symposium hosted by the Baptist Forum for Aid and Development on the theme, “Is there Good News for the Poor?” and a luncheon featuring Amanda Mukwashi who has led development and humanitarian interventions in over 30 countries. As a new initiative for this Congress, participants have an opportunity to enroll in the Aid and Development Congress Track to earn a certificate in “Contemporary Issues in Humanitarian Action” from the Baptist World Alliance and Truett Seminary, Baylor University, USA.
Prior to the start of the Congress, the Baptist Women’s Summit, July 7-8, brought together more than 700 women from all seven of BWA Women’s continental unions for a time of worship, prayer, leadership development, and ministry mobilization. A second pre-conference, the NxtGen Leadership Summit, July 7-8, drew emerging leaders ages 18-35 from across the globe to build connections that will enhance their ministry.
For those who cannot attend the Congress in person, a virtual option allows participants to be a part of the Congress experience from wherever they are in the world. In addition, the Opening and Closing Sessions of the Congress are being livestreamed free-of-charge at the Congress website: bwabrisbane.com.
