FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA – July 10, 2021)
The Baptist World Congress ended today with a closing celebration featuring worship from around the world, a presidential address by Baptist World Alliance (BWA) President Tomás Mackey, a sermon from Dr. Robert Smith, and the announcement of the 2025 Baptist World Congress location.
“We are delighted that we were able to be ‘Together’ this week during our first virtual Congress and experience the fellowship, unity, and diversity of our global Baptist family,” said Carolina Mangieri, Director of Global Events and Fellowship. “With dynamic speakers, inspiring worship, powerful times of prayer, and global communion, the 22nd Baptist World Congress was a historic event that united Baptists from around the world.”
With more than 4,000 registrants from over 140 countries, this Congress was the most globally diverse gathering in the BWA’s 116-year history.
“In the midst of an ongoing global pandemic, the BWA family came together in diversity, worship, mission, and hope. In this historic moment with registrants from an unprecedented 146 countries, we declared again that we are united in Jesus Christ and united in living out God’s holistic Gospel,” said BWA General Secretary Elijah Brown. “Filled with the Holy Spirit and together in partnership with one another, we step forward in unyielding praise to Jesus Christ and to sacrificially live for his glory among every people group in every country of the world.” The closing celebration also included an invitation to attend the 23rd Baptist World Congress to be held in Brisbane, Australia, from July 9-12, 2025. The event will be hosted by Australian Baptist Ministries and Baptist Union of Queensland.
“On behalf of Australian Baptist Ministries, we want to welcome you to come to the Baptist World Congress,” said Mark Wilson, National Ministries Director. “Can you imagine the whole Baptist family from around the world, the global family coming together? It’ll be a wonderful time, and I hope to see you there.”
To sign up for 2025 Congress updates, visit BWABrisbane.com.
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View the closing celebration.
To view the full 2025 Congress announcement, click here.
The Baptist World Alliance team observes communion as part of the 22nd Baptist World Congress closing celebration.