DBU and HPU approved as BWA member partners

STAVANGER, Norway—Two universities affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas became the first educational institutions accepted as member partners of the Baptist World Alliance.

The BWA General Council voted to accept Dallas Baptist University and Howard Payne University as member partners during the BWA annual meeting in Stavanger, Norway.

The two Texas Baptist universities were among four applicants approved in the newly created “member partner” category, made possible by governance changes to the BWA constitution and bylaws.

“The work of the BWA and [General Secretary] Elijah Brown is of vital kingdom significance,” DBU President Adam Wright said. “While DBU has been involved with the BWA for more than three decades now, the opportunity to deepen our involvement through membership is a great honor.

“Partnership, collaboration and friendship with Christian sisters and brothers around the world must surely please God, which is exactly what we believe this meaningful step with the BWA symbolizes.”

Cory Hines, president of Howard Payne, similarly expressed gratitude for the “kingdom impact” of BWA under Brown’s leadership.

“As a Baptist higher education institution affiliated with Texas Baptists, Howard Payne University is committed to partnering with denominational and mission partners alongside whom we can work together in pursuit of the goal of advancing Christ’s Kingdom globally,” Hines said.

“HPU is honored to be, alongside another Texas Baptist sister institution, one of the first educational institutions to become member partners of the BWA. This partnership will play a significant role in helping HPU enhance the student experience by providing the student body with spiritual growth and mission opportunities. I look forward to seeing how the Lord will use this partnership for his glory in the days ahead.”

The inaugural group of member partners also includes the Baptist Missionary Society Limited, based in the United Kingdom, and the Lebanese Society for Education and Social Development, which focuses on aid and community development in Arab communities.

In addition to four member partners, the BWA General Council also approved four regional or  national conventions, associations or unions of churches for membership: the Association of Telegu Baptist Churches and the Telangana Baptist Convention, both in India; the Union of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Niger; and the Council of Local Evangelical Churches in the Holy Land, the first BWA member body in Palestinian territory.

Participants at the BWA annual meeting also:

• Marked the appointment of Regina Claas, a retired pastor of the Union of Evangelical Free Churches (Baptists) in Germany and longtime BWA leader, to the General Secretary’s Global Leadership Council.
• Participated in a question-and-answer session with theologian Miroslav Volf from Yale Divinity School. Volf later delivered the keynote address at the opening session of the Sent Global Mission Summit, immediately following the BWA annual meeting.
• Heard reports from regional affiliates, affinity groups and BWA departments.
• Attended commission and committee meetings, as well as a variety of workshops.
• Sang hymns from around the world, heard the Scripture read in several languages and spent time in small-group prayer with individuals from other countries and cultures.