BWA weathers financial storm

The Baptist World Alliance (BWA) has continued to receive support for its ministries, despite the severe downturn of the global economy.

BWA General Secretary Neville Callam, in his report to the Executive Committee of the BWA, meeting in Falls Church, Virginia, on March 3, stated that “member bodies and friends of the BWA have been faithful to God in supporting the BWA.” He reported that the BWA “ended the year (2008) in a much better position than we thought likely in late September 2008.”

Callam noted that the BWA, like other nonprofit organizations, has not “escaped the effects of this economic meltdown” as “we sustained enormous damage to our investments,” but said that “at the BWA office, we took steps to reduce spending and sought divine guidance for securing the continuance of the work to which we have all committed ourselves through the BWA.”

This, he said, is based on the conviction that “the BWA serves in response to a conviction of divine calling,” and that staff members have “sought fervently to discern God’s will for the ongoing work of the movement.”

Callam told the committee that though some contributions to the international Baptist organization registered a decline, other categories saw an increase in contributions. Contributions to the General Fund, he stated, declined by 2.5 percent, but contributions to restricted funds have increased. Simultaneously, he said, “We managed to keep expenditure at 4.6 percent below budget.”

The General Fund of the BWA covers operational costs and administrative expenses, while restricted funds are designated for particular purposes, such as aid, development, mission, evangelism, and training.

In terms of the way forward, the global Baptist leader said, “We have undertaken a detailed analysis of the pattern of financial support the BWA has been receiving over the years. On the basis of this work, we are clearer about the need to vastly increase the number of donors to the Alliance.” He declared his hope that “those who know the organization best will demonstrate their commitment to the organization by contributing to its financial wellbeing.”

Callam thanked Baptists for continuing to support the BWA with their prayers and resources. “We are deeply indebted to the members and partners of the BWA whose commitment to the global Baptist movement was severely tested. In spite of the difficulties they faced, they rose to the challenge and supported the BWA.”