Praise by ‘every tribe, tongue and nation’ ends congress

Posted: 8/05/05

Praise by 'every tribe, tongue
and nation' ends congress

By Ken Camp

Texas Baptist Standard

BIRMINGHAM, England—In what some participants characterized as “a foretaste of heaven,” about 12,000 Baptists from more than 200 nations joined their voices in worship at the closing session of the Baptist World Congress.

From praise choruses led by British Christian composer Graham Kendrick to a multinational choir singing the majestic strains of the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s “Messiah,” Baptists from around the world ended their 100th anniversary meeting with the same multi-cultural flair that characterized every assembly during the five-day gathering.

Anthems by the Cambrensis Choir from the United Kingdom, a testimony by Malawian Baptist General Secretary Fletcher Kaiya who has adopted 15 AIDS orphans, an interpretive dance by a Russian Georgian group, the Caribbean rhythms of the Redeemed Messengers from Trinidad and Tobago, and a message from Fausto Vasconcelos of Brazil reflected the multi-ethnic nature of the worship service.

“You are witnesses of the power of the cross and of the empty tomb of our Risen Lord, the Living Water,” said Vasconcelos, president of the Brazilian Baptist Convention. He challenged Baptists to be sensitive, compassionate, powerful and wise witnesses of what they experienced in Christ.

Near the end of the service, newly elected Baptist World Alliance President David Coffey pronounced a benediction on all of the delegates, asking groups such as parents, ministers, students and business people to stand as he offered a word of blessing for each category.

Kendrick asked the assembled delegates to join hands as he and the Baptist World Congress praise band led the assembly in singing “Blessed Be the Tie” and the “Doxology,” while a mass choir comprised of the choral groups that performed during the Congress filed onto the platform

Coffey, who said the choir represented “every tribe and tongue and nation,” sang the “Hallelujah Chorus” before he declared the Baptist World Congress ended.