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Another very important decision made at this year’s Annual Gathering was the election of a new president to lead the BWA during the next 5 years. Ngwedla Paul Msiza of South Africa was elected president of the BWA. He was elected along with 12 vice presidents by the BWA General Council. Msiza, 53, will take office at the conclusion of the 21st Baptist World Congress in Durban, South Africa in July next year. He will follow John Upton of the United States who will be completing his term. Msiza, a current Vice President, has been actively involved in the BWA since 2000. He sits on the General Council, the Executive Committee, the Nominations Committee, the Congress Committee, the Mission, Evangelism and Theological Reflection Advisory Committee and the Promotion and Development Advisory Committee. He was president of the All Africa Baptist Fellowship, one of six regional fellowships of the BWA, from 2006-2011 and general secretary of the Baptist Convention of South Africa (BCSA) from 2001-2010. I know he will provide excellent leadership for the BWA.
Following the conclusion of the General Council meeting, the BWA group had the privilege of visiting the ruins of Ephesus. It is one of the most fascinating of the
Biblical sites and features incredible ancient ruins. This was my second visit to Ephesus and it was great to see the progress of the excavation. The Apostle Paul spent a great deal of time in Ephesus, which was the capital of Asia Minor. Ephesus and Izmir (Smyrna) were two of seven churches to which the book of the Revelation was addressed. I hope you will consider attending the BWA World Congress planned for next year in Durban, South Africa. It will provide a wonderful opportunity to engage with the global Baptist family.
An EthicsDaily.com video that Brian Kaylor shot of Jim Hill in Turkey
about the nation's biblical heritage. Click the play button to watch it now!