The election of the new General Secretary of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), is set to take place on July 6th, 2007 in Accra, Ghana. That’s 9 days away. The excitement is mounting in my chest as I listen to the warm buzz coming from my global Baptists friends and acquaintances.
Eron Henry, BWA Associate Director of Communications in a press release stated that approximately 450 delegates from over 50 countries are expected to attend this Annual Baptist Gathering. They will be participating in a historic event, especially at the point of electing the next General Secretary of the BWA.
I wonder how many from the Jamaica Baptist Union will be heading to Ghana. I am positively greener than a grasshopper right now. I will have to miss the two main events of this historic Baptist Gathering.
1.Visit to Cape Coast Castle
This castle was one of the main holding areas captured or kidnapped Africans who were later forcibly sent to the Americas to endure enslavement. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Courtyard of Cape Coast Castle
A special Memorial and Reconciliation Service is scheduled to take place at the Castle on July 5, 2007. This is a fitting visit considering that this year is the The Bicentenary, or 200th anniversary, of the Abolition of the Slave Trade. This visit would be of extreme significance for me. I have heard that no one who has ever visited Cape Coast has ever left the same.
On the other hand, I have a question. What will this ‘Memorial and Reconciliation Service‘ be like? The idea of a ‘memorial’ seems pretty straightforward. However, the notion of ‘reconciliation’ is not as clear. Reconciling who or what?
2. The Election of the General Secretary
Rev. Neville Callam of Jamaica is the sole nominee up for election. He is set to succeed Denton Lotz and I’ll add my little biased commentary and say – when elected 
I’m just confident and hopeful for more changes in the BWA that’s all.
After all that is said though, I do know that if Callam is elected it will be met with mixed reactions in Jamaica. On the one hand, we are happy that he has been called to serve Baptists across the world. But on the other hand, we are at the same time sorry to release him from active duties in the Jamaica Baptist Union.
A JBU meeting will not be the same without Callam’s insight, his elephant-like memory, his gift of precision and ability to analyze and sum up a whole essay in one of his famous “one sentences.” Soon we will be missing his sermons at various events and will be dying to hear him in our congregations. Even though I’m in Panama, it will still feel strange not having Rev. Callam around. Oh well, can’t be selfish we have to share.
Well more to be said another time…
9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-Election
By the way, if you want to see a full collection of photos of the Cape Coast Castle check out Barry William’s collection on Flickr here.
Until,
Marvia
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