(FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA, USA – April 20, 2023) For more than 100 years, Baptists from across the globe have gathered for the Baptist World Congress, a quinquennial event presented by the Baptist World Alliance (BWA). Hosted every five years in rotating regional locations, the 23rd Baptist World Congress will take place July 7-12, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia.
In partnership with Australian Baptist Ministries and Queensland Baptists, the BWA is pleased to unveil the 2025 Congress logo (pictured below). Designed by Australian Indigenous artist Mariah Sweetman, the branding is rich with symbolic meaning.
The event theme is “Living the Good News” drawn from Luke 4: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (v. 18-19)
“The theme and passage inspired the storytelling design in an artistic style that is unique to Australian First Nations people,” said Sweetman.
The river design is centered on living the good news through the “Living Water,” the phrase Jesus uses in John 4 when ministering to the woman at the well. The water shape depicted in the logo symbolizes the journey of believers to Christ.
“From water source to water source, we meet Jesus where we are. He will equip us, sustain us, and refresh us at every step. But the story doesn’t end there,” said Sweetman. “As followers, we are not only meeting with Jesus and becoming filled with the Living Water, but we are equipped to go out and preach the good news to all creation through words and deeds.”
The moving water lines convey that the river is always flowing and never stagnant, the tracks inward represent moving toward Jesus in our lives, and the tracks outward symbolize the overflow that comes from a relationship with Jesus.
“We are excited to have this rich visual representation of our event theme and focus,” said Carolina Mangieri, BWA Director of Global Events and Fellowship. “We anticipate God moving in incredible ways as thousands of Baptists from around the world gather for worship, fellowship, prayer, teaching, and service together.”
Watch an interview with artist Mariah Sweetman to learn more about the logo’s meaning, and visit BWABrisbane.com for more information about the 23rd Baptist World Congress.
Watch Australian Indigenous artist Mariah Sweetman share about the rich symbolism found within the logo and branding for the 2025 Baptist World Congress.
