Baptist World Alliance, BWA News Release

Baptist World Alliance Calls for Equitable Distribution of Vaccines

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA – January 29, 2021)

As the number of COVID-19 cases surpasses the 100 million mark, the Baptist World Alliance is issuing a call to Baptists around the world to stand together in combatting this global pandemic. Members of the Baptist World Alliance Forum for Aid and Development (BFAD), an international network of more than 25 aid agencies, have collaborated on a statement outlining key calls to action.

“It’s been a blessing and a privilege to be a part of the Horizons training program,’ said Priya. “It has been self-interrogative, which helped me prune myself in many ways. I learned about different facets of a young person’s life, the challenges they face, and how to handle them. At the outset, I also learned that I have to make a difference in the life of people one person at a time as Christ did.”

The four-fold action plan includes:

  • Calling for the cooperation of governments to support systems of coordinated mass vaccination and enhance access to vaccinations through aid and economic innovations;
  • Urging Baptists globally to participate in enabling global vaccination;
  • Repudiating unhelpful narratives associated with mass vaccination and asking Baptists and all people of goodwill to do so as well; and
  • Issuing a clarion call for just access to available COVID-19 vaccines globally, including six specific steps of justice necessary for equitable global access and a shared solidarity in addressing a global pandemic.

“We stand together both in prayerful lament for the many who have been impacted by this disease but also in hopeful expectation that we can make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable by choosing equity and justice at this crucial time,” said Elijah Brown, BWA General Secretary.

Baptists worldwide are invited to join this advocacy movement by signing a petition calling for equitable distribution of the vaccine by February 10, 2021. Already signed by global Baptist leaders from every region, the petition will be sent to government leaders.

To learn more about this initiative or to sign the petition, visit BaptistWorld.org. To find out more about BFAD, whose members have mobilized more than $1.5 million USD in COVID-19 aid and relief over the last year, visit BaptistWorld.org/bfad.

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The Baptist World Alliance, founded in 1905, is a fellowship of 266 conventions and unions in 134 countries and territories comprising 51 million baptized believers in 178,000 churches. For more than 100 years, the Baptist World Alliance has networked the Baptist family to impact the world for Christ with a commitment to strengthen worship, fellowship and unity; lead in mission and evangelism; respond to people in need through aid, relief, and community development; defend religious freedom, human rights, and justice; and advance theological reflection and leadership development.

Media Contact:
J. Merritt Johnston
Director of Communications & Media
Email: [email protected]