By Jim Burns. CNS Senior Staff Writer. 03 July, 2000. CNS News
(CNSNews.com) - For the first time in history, Havana, Cuba is the scene as Baptist religion leaders from around the world began a six day General Council meeting of the Baptist World Alliance Monday. The leaders will discuss what officials call "issues of importance to Baptist life"
as well as demonstrating their support for the Cuban Baptist community.
Baptists are the largest Protestant group in Cuba.
Denton Lotz, BWA General Secretary explained that the religious organization decided to meet in Cuba, "to experience revival, encourage the Baptist family in Cuba, learn from them and proclaim the Word of Christ."
"For many years, due to ideological struggles around the world, Cuban Baptists had been cut off from many brothers and sisters. Therefore, it is with great joy that we have accepted the kind invitation of the Cuban Baptists. It is the Cuban Baptists who invited us, who are hosting this
meeting, who have opened their hearts and churches to Baptists worldwide," Lotz said.
Lotz made it clear that the meeting isn't being held in Cuba, "to affirm a particular philosophy or a system of government. We do not affirm a culture or ideology; we go to affirm the movement of Christ among our people."
Lotz hopes the Baptists will learn from Cubans that "growth in Christ, growth in maturity and numbers are not related to budgets but related to open hearts and open minds and to the complete reliance on the Spirit of God."
The BWA has more than 43 million members in 196 member bodies in 110 countries.
On the agenda for major topics of discussion are plans for Baptists to champion racial equality and work for peace in the world among ethnic groups. Religious freedom, aid to developing countries, and Baptist religion growth are also expected to be discussed.
Baptist association members are also going to hold evangelistic meetings in 40 local churches in Havana and other Cuban cities.
Cuban Dictator Fidel Castro is expected to address an open-air rally of Baptists on Wednesday evening. That rally is the first for in many years for Cuban Baptists.
BWA officials say that back in 1988, after BWA officials visited Castro, he allowed a shipment of 50,000 Bibles into Cuba. In 1989, a delegation of BWA Baptists visited Cuba to deliver Bibles. The Bibles were distributed to all Cuban Protestant groups. |