“It was a dream to work for the BWA”
A number of retiring staff members of the Baptist World Alliance® (BWA) were recognized for their period of service to the BWA during the Annual Gathering in Santiago, Chile, that was held from July 2-7.
Paul Montacute of Britain has been director of Baptist World Aid (BWAid) since 1993 and was previously director of the BWA Youth Department beginning in 1990.
Lee Hickman of the United States has been assistant to the BWAid director for 25 years.
Linda Falimy of Indonesia came to the BWA in 1991 as assistant to the director of communications and was appointed database specialist in 2006.
Judy Campbell started out with the BWA in 2001 as events coordinator and later became financial assistant.
Alberto Prokopchuk was BWA regional secretary for Latin America and general secretary for the Union of Baptists in Latin America for 11 years, starting in 2001.
Harrison Olan’g was BWA regional secretary for Africa and general secretary of the All Africa Baptist Fellowship between 2007 and 2011.
Montacute declared that his time at the BWA “was the best of times. There was never a day that was like the previous day.”
Lee, Montacute’s assistant for all the time he was BWAid director, described her time with the BWA “as an adventure. You never know what your day will be,” she said. “I’ve lived through earthquakes, tsunamis, and many disasters in my work with BWAid. But working for the BWA has been a privilege.”
Falimy stated that “it has been a good time, ever since I came when we were in our previous offices in McLean” (in the state of Virginia in the US). The international offices of the BWA have been in Falls Church, also in Virginia, since 2001.
Campbell, an American, said that, for her, “it was a dream to work for the BWA. I loved every moment of it and I am grateful for the opportunity to have served.” Campbell made special reference to her role as registrar at BWA meetings for 10 of the years she was with the international Baptist organization. “I looked forward to meeting people from all over the world who influenced me in so many ways.”
Prokopchuk declared that serving the BWA “has been one of the most blessed experiences and enriching part of my life and ministry.” He thanked the Annual Gathering for the prayers, kindness and love “that I have received during all these years.”
Montacute, Campbell and Falimy retire at the end of July and Hickman retires in December. The terms of both Prokopchuk and Olan’g had come to an end and they did not seek re-election to their respective positions.
Baptist World Alliance®
© July 8, 2012