Nineteen United Nations human rights experts recently raised concerns about the “apparent slow and inadequate response” by India’s government to violence in the northeastern state of Manipur, where more than 250 houses of worship have been destroyed or damaged. They particularly noted reported sexual violence, extrajudicial killings, forced displacement and torture. They called on the Indian government to increase humanitarian relief to the region, investigate acts of violence and hold perpetrators accountable. Conflict between the Kuki, a predominantly Christian ethnic group, and the Meitei, who are mostly Hindu, began as a political dispute over land rights. Rioting began in May in response to peaceful protests, and violence continued to escalate. The U.N. experts stated an estimated 160 people were killed by mid-August—mostly from the Kuki community—and more than 300 were injured.
Katie Choy-Wong, author of Building Bridges: A Handbook for Cross-cultural Ministry and a leader of the Alliance of Asian American Baptist Churches, will be the keynote speaker at the North American Baptist Fellowship’s annual meeting, Oct. 30-31 at the First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C. She has served as a trainer for American Baptist Home Mission Societies and as senior pastor of New Life Christian Fellowship in Castro Valley, Calif. For more information and registration, click here.
Delegations from the European Baptist Federation and the Communion of Protestant Churches in Europe met recently to evaluate the results of previous theological dialogue and next steps toward cooperation. On the basis of doctrinal dialogue in 2002 and 2004, the communion and the federation agreed in 2010 to become “mutually cooperating bodies.” At the recent meeting at Elstal Theological College, representatives agreed to recommend doctrinal dialogue be resumed and cooperation continue.
More than 22,000 youth and young adults from across Nigeria attended the 2023 Arise Congress Sept. 6-9 at the Baptist International Conference Center in Ogun State, Nigeria. The event was the first joint congress of the Nigerian Baptist Convention Youth, Baptist Student Fellowship and missions auxiliary organizations for youth.
Buckner International recently marked its 15th anniversary of ministry in Mexico by opening its second Family Hope Center there. The grand opening of the Buckner Family Hope Center at San Agustín Etla, located in the central Mexican state of Oaxaca, included a public ribbon cutting ceremony, lunch and a shoe distribution. “We want this Family Hope Center to be a light of hope for the families that are with us today, but also for many other people who still don’t know about Buckner Mexico,” said Albert Reyes, president and CEO of Buckner. “Our goal is to reach those who need it most.” The Family Hope Center works as an intervention model, providing services within a family-strengthening framework to prepare families to overcome adversity. Families in San Agustín Etla will have access to free classes, counseling and activities.
Compiled from reports by regional affiliates of the Baptist World Alliance and other sources.
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