I’ve waited almost 2 years to hear Rev. Neville Callam preach again. I made sure I was in Panama City for the occasion. In true Callam fashion, the BWA General Secretary challenged the congregation at First Baptist Church, Panama City to consider whether we are showing God’s love to those who are the despised, the alienated, the rejected and even the unjust among us.
Using the story of Zacchaeus he reminded us that,
“They walk among us, some you see and some you don’t. They are people filled with a mountain of hurt. They are searching for something. Like Zacchaeus, they are already in a humiliating position, already rejected and despised. Shall we who are called by Christ’s name add to their torment, by ridiculing them, turning our backs on them or shall we be like Jesus whose values and judgement was not as the world’s. Jesus showed love and acceptance to Zacchaeus. We are called to do as Jesus did.”
It was a timely reminder for us in Panama where there are so many persons who really need to experience God’s love. This is perhaps the reason why I am so impatient with Christians in general and us Baptists in particular (especially Baptist Church leaders) who find more time to waste on petty quarrels about beliefs. These quarrels sometimes show such hatred, hostility and disrespect for each other that I wonder who we think we are fooling. For the world is far from impressed with our divisiveness.
Anyway before I get off sermonizing, let me say how much we (Panama Baptists) enjoyed Rev. Callam’s visit. The way I am getting on you might even believe he was here to visit my church. On the contrary. But I couldn’t miss the opportunity to let you know that he was in Panama, Wednesday April 16 to Sunday April 20th.
The BWA General Secretary and Rev. Eron Henry, BWA Director of Communications were here to attend the gathering of UBLA (Union of Baptist Churches in Latin America). This was indeed a historic gathering with only the Heads of every Baptist group in Latin America. All were present in one place for the first time. The gathering also included Cuba and Dominican Republic.
While I was sorry that I couldn’t be a fly on the wall in the meetings (Miss Nosy!), I was totally overjoyed when both BWA directors visited Colon and our congregation the First Isthmian Baptist Church. Several members of the congregation met Rev. Callam for the first time. Others renewed acquaintances, having met him on previous visits to the JBU Assembly.
For me it was a true “collegial” visit. There were so many stories to share, as all of us are now serving away from our homeland Jamaica and the one-of-a-kind JBU. Sorry friends in Jamaica, eat your hearts out. You’ll have to wait until your official visit (if any..oops that was unkind. I need to repent).
Know something, I’d suggest you start gearing up for Hawaii 2010, for the next Baptist World Congress. And also keep your eyes glued to the Baptist World Alliance website, for all the official details of the Panama visit and UBLA meeting from Rev. Henry.
Off to gloat elsewhere,
Marvia
I will have to keep prayin for u. Ur too unkind.
Can’t if a BWA General Secretary has ever been to The Bahamas in recent time. Maybe Rev. Callam will in his tenure. well who knows?
sounds like you enjoyed yourself. you tickled me with the “eat your heart out” part, lol.
peace
@Bjorn,
I agree. I need all the prayers I can get..lol
You never can tell though, he might be in the Bahamas one day and then it will be your turn to show good Christian graces and not go around gloating at your friends. Hhahahah…
@ Kinky,
‘the devil made me do it’..I think
Maria,
You have a lovely humor. It is so nice to see that even preachers (hope that isn’t a bad word) manage to inject some great fun into their blog posts.
Peace to you and all the best
Monika
Monika,
Preacher is a very good word. However with the ‘even’ before preacher, I get the feeling that preachers are not the most fun people to be around at all. I agree:-)
Usually preachers are quite boring folks – walking around with the weight of ministry on their backs and forgetting to balance the life God has given them, with the one to which they are called.
I’ll take this as a challenge to keep my boring streak well under control:-)
Peace,
Marvia
Bjorn, you will have your chance sooner than you think. Come August 18-23 in Freeport, Grand Bahama, Caribbean Baptist Fellowship (CBF) and BWA will be having mid-term assembly and Living Water conference, respectively. See you there! contact the CBF Exec. Secretary-Treasurer.
Marvia, I know how you feel seeing as I was in the same place with the BWA entourage when the Gen Sec was on his North American tour early after taking up the position last year. So gloat all you want… Hee-hee.
Gillian,
Thanks for sharing this information. It’s a wonder Bjorn is not here to gloat yet. I’m sure he’ll turn up soon. And after he attends that conference, I know I won’t hear the end of it.
Well I’ll at least be ready!!
Well thanks for the heads up Rev.
Yes Gillian, Rev. Pinder (CBF) informed me of the conference and yes Marvia I am going to bigg that up….lol
Apparently, Rev. Pinder informed me that Rev. Callam was in The Bahamas pre BWA post. Way kool to have him around post-BWA post (pun intended). By the grace of God I hope to be there in full effect.
Forgot to mention that the JBU contingent supposed to be here to including the Prez and the Gen Sec. I believe.
shall I continue?
Bjorn,
Gloating is one thing..glad you stopped before you got unkind. Well did I mention that Caribbean Council of Churches (CCC) will be meeting here later this year and ALL who you’ll be seeing, I’ll be seeing – AGAIN.
Tek yuh lass lick man! hahahaha..
Thanks for stopping by:-)
Marvia