Welcomed by Adebola Samson-Fatokun of Nigeria, participants began Wednesday morning in a quieter tone, with acoustic worship led by Chad Pillon, a music teacher in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and worship leader at Mount Hamilton Baptist Church.
Updates from the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship (CBF) and the European Baptist Federation (EBF) offered a glimpse of Baptist witness in regions facing both opportunity and strain. Leaders from the Caribbean spoke of ministry across 28 member bodies and 17 island nations, including creative discipleship, disaster response, support for Haiti, and investment in emerging leaders. Alan Donaldson, speaking on behalf of the European Baptist Federation, reflected on what it means to be made in the image of God in a region marked by war, Christian nationalism, and division. As the EBF marked its 75th anniversary, he reminded participants that the fellowship was formed after the Second World War as a witness to reconciliation and peace. In Europe, the table of Christ is prepared, he said, but the question remains: who will be welcomed?
That question carried into the Scripture reading as John 3:16 was read in French and then spoken throughout the room in many languages. The familiar verse took on fresh perspective as voices overlapped, each person reciting it in their own language.
Vernette Myint Myint San of Myanmar and Singapore then reflected on that verse, drawing attention to its simple movement: God loved, God gave, and everyone is invited to receive life. Speaking as both a scientist and a Christian leader, San asked how the gospel is being shared, and whether those who carry it reflect the image of Christ as they go.
Her stories moved across Asia: a meeting in Cambodia that reopened the door for women’s ministry, a woman in Bhutan who walked village to village to share the gospel, and women across more than 13 countries being equipped to become Jesus-shaped leaders in their own languages and contexts.
The most challenging part of her message came as she turned to Jesus’ command to love our enemies. In Myanmar, where civil war has stretched on for years, that command is not theoretical. San spoke of hatred, division, and the need to pray not only for those who are kind to us, but also for those who have caused harm. Her message ended as a question for everyone in the room: as followers of Jesus move through the world, do others see the image of God in them?
