Baptists and Adventist meet up

Comments made by Local Ministers:-

"Religious freedom is something we may take for granted because of the liberty we enjoy in our society. This however is not the case in some parts of the world. I am gratified that Christian groups can work together for those in less fortunate situations. God has granted a free will to all of us. The right for individuals to exercise that will to worship according to their conscience is something that should generate respect in every society. May God continue to bless the endeavors of those working for such a wholesome objective."

- Pastor Michael I Walker, Seventh-day Adventist minister, Great Yarmouth.

"Religious Freedom is a vital principle for Baptists who are one of the oldest UK non-conformist denominations. And for us this freedom exists not just at a personal level but also at a congregational level where each of our congregations, 'has liberty, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to interpret and administer His laws'.

"But religious freedom brings with it an obligation to engage with and learn from others who may think differently! The discussions between the Baptist World Alliance and the Seventh Day Adventist World Church President are one aspect of this obligation - which is taken up locally in the Borough Wide Churches Forum and Churches Together movements that helpfully bring together a wide range of churches for the purpose of celebrating our common faith and exploring the differences between us."

- Pastor Derrick Hill, Park Baptist Church, Great Yarmouth

Baptists, Adventists meet to underscore common values

Both denominations share 'passion for religious freedom,' Adventist official says

Delegates from the Baptist World Alliance met with Seventh-day Adventist world church President Jan Pa jan paulsen

ulsen yesterday to affirm their denominations' common values and recommit to their shared goals of religious freedom.

The meeting, which included other church leaders, took place at Adventist world church headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States.

"[Adventists and Baptists] share a Christ-centric faith and many of the same values," said John Graz, director of public affairs and religious liberty for the Adventist church. "We also share a passion for religious freedom, and in many countries around the world we cooperate closely to promote and defend this freedom."

Neville Callam, general secretary of the Baptist World Alliance since 2007, echoed the common need to work for religious liberty.

Jan Paulsen (Adventist World Leader)

"Part of the genetic makeup of the Baptist community is [the affirmation] of human dignity," Callam said. He also expressed interest in pursuing "mutual sharing and collaboration in common causes" in the future.

Adventist world church President Jan Paulsen also commended the group on past collaborations in the area of religious liberty.

"The strength of affirming and protecting BWA web

religious freedom depends on participation of many. [Let us] explore opportunities to work together in the name of Christ and to strengthen our witness for him," Paulsen said.

Paulsen added that the partnership has provided "a fertile spiritual soil to our faith family."

The Baptist World Alliance was founded in 1905 and currently represents 105 million members in 119 countries.

Pictured in photo

Dulcie Callam stands next to her husband, Neville Callam, general secretary for the Baptist World Alliance, John Graz, director of the public affairs and religious liberty department for the Adventist church, and Fausto Vasconcelos, director of evangelism and education for the Baptist World Alliance. The group attended a meeting held March at the Seventh-day Adventist world church headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States. [photo: Rajmund Dabrowski]