Your Baptist World Congress News

Dear BWA,

As we near the end of 2024, we want to say thank you for being a vital part of our global Baptist family. We are so excited you have registered for our time together in Brisbane, and we can't wait to worship with you in person in July 2025.

In the coming months, you will receive this Congress News resource to help you as you pray and prepare to attend. We know many are booking travel soon, so below you will find information to help with your planning.

Schedule:

We have an incredible week planned! Visit the Congress website for more information about tours, pre-Congress Summits, Congress sessions, and a more detailed draft schedule for the week.

>> Flights and Insurance: Don’t forget to check the arrival date when booking flights to Brisbane. This will ensure you do not miss the first day of Congress due to unexpected time zone changes. We also strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance as soon as you start to book any travel, and be sure you are clearly aware of cancellation/change policies for flights and accommodations. Once cancellation dates pass, refunds are generally not given by providers – even for emergencies.

>> Accommodations: Some hotels/apartments near the Convention Centre are starting to sell out. Don’t miss out on your first preference! Visit the Congress website to get more information and make your reservation soon.

>> Visas: If you need a visa to enter Australia, you will have had the opportunity to request an invitation letter during your registration process. Given the government recommended application times, the BWA will start issuing letters in February 2025 to those who have made a request and paid in full. For other visa-related questions, visit the Congress website for the latest information.

>> Speakers: We are pleased to introduce you to more of our speakers below. You can also visit the Congress website to see a speaker overview. Please join us in prayer for them as they plan and prepare to serve at the Congress.

Anthony dela Fuente is the pastor of Northside Baptist Church in Bacolod City, Philippines. He has been a teacher for more than 30 years and has served as the John Stott International Visiting Scholar at Wheaton College.

Filipe Espindola is the President of the National Baptist Convention of Brazil (CBN) and the pastor of Filadelfia Baptist Church. His Pastoring Pastors Project has helped many pastors and pastoral families in Brazil and is also impacting other parts of the world like the Philippines.

Lina Toth is the International Director of Langham Scholars Program at Langham Partnership and Senior Research Fellow at the International Baptist Theological Study Centre in Amsterdam. Originally from Lithuania, she has authored several books, the most recent of which is Singleness and Marriage after Christendom: Being and Doing Family.

Melinda Cousins is the Director of Ministries for Baptist Churches of South Australia and the Northern Territory. She has served as a local church pastor and as a theological college lecturer in Biblical Studies. Prior to her current role, she served in the areas of global mission and in training and accreditation of pastors.

Samson Aderinto Adedokun is an author, speaker, preacher, and the lead pastor of New Dawn Baptist Church in Lagos, Nigeria. He is a certified John Maxwell Leadership Team member, certified Human Resource Manager, Chairman of the Lagos Central Baptist Conference and the Board of Governors of the Baptist College of Theology (Igede Ekiti).