Baptist World Alliance, BWA News Release

Baptist theological conference to focus on the Holy Spirit

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Baptist understanding of the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit will be the focal point of the 8th Baptist International Conference on Theological Education (BICTE) to be held in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, from June 28-30.

The conference theme is In Step with the Spirit: Perspectives on Pneumatology within the Worldwide Baptist Family.

Presentations include “Baptist Contribution to Theological Reflection on the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit” by William Brackney of Canada; “The Holy Spirit and Social Justice” By Burchell Taylor of Jamaica; “Baptists and Pneumatology: Atonement and Healing” by Graham Hill of Australia; “Baptists and Pneumatology: Atonement and Material Prosperity” by Deji Isaac Ayegboyin from Nigeria; and “The Holy Spirit and Corporate Worship” by Doug Weaver of the United Sates.

Respondents include Solomon Ishola of Nigeria, Honorina Dela Paz-Lacquian from the Philippines, Otniel Bunaciu from Romania and Phyllis Rodgerson Pleasants Tessieri from the US.

“Baptist theologians and biblical scholars have not produced an extensive literary corpus dealing with the nature and ministry of the Holy Spirit,” said Baptist World Alliance® (BWA) General Secretary Neville Callam. “A fine array of thinkers at the conference on theological education will contribute to our understanding the relation of the Holy Spirit and the life of faith in the triune God.”

Callam will make a special presentation on “BWA in Bilateral Dialogues,” a reference to theological dialogues that the BWA has had with other Christian traditions, including the Mennonites, Anglicans and Catholics.

Theological educators from the BWA regions of Africa, Asia Pacific, Caribbean, Europe, Latin America and North America will lead panel discussions on “Emerging Issues in the Theological Formation of Ministerial Students.”

BICTE is planned and sponsored by the BWA and is normally held every five years. The 7th edition was held in Prague, Czech Republic, in 2008.

BICTE immediately precedes the BWA Annual Gathering that is to be held July 1-6. Both are to be held at the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort, Spa & Conference Center in Ocho Rios.

Registration and other information for BICTE are available on the BWA website.

Baptist World Alliance®
© June 6, 2013

The Baptist World Alliance, founded in 1905, is a fellowship of 253 conventions and unions in 130 countries and territories comprising 51 million baptized believers in 176,000 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.