The Kyrstaal singers, a Baptist group from Africa, just finished rocking the house with some foot-stomping African music. Right now Naw Blooming Night Zan, Burma native who grew up under severe persecution and is now the Joint General Secretary of the Karen Women's Organization, is telling of the terrible persecutions suffered by women and children in nations experiencing military unrest. She speaks from from her own experiences.
I've never seen so many secular journalists covering a Baptist event. Dozens and dozens are here, including the New York Times and Boston Globe and even U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops are here. I suspect they are all wondering if Baptists can truly work together in unity.
Although no SBC officials are here, Southern Baptists are well represented (not even including William!). There are hundreds, if not a few thousand, who are members of churches which remain, at least at a minimal level, affiliated with the SBC.
Officially representing the SBC is David Roach of Baptist Press, at this moment sitting on the front window row here in the press room. This week he is observing the largest gathering of Baptists he has ever seen in his young life; an estimated 12,000 or more were in attendance last night (I'm not sure how many are in the hall right now, but it is a large number). Yesterday President Carter revealed that he has personally been corresponding with SBC president Frank Page, who told Carter he is praying for this meeting. Carter promised to call Page after the meeting and continue the dialogue. But I suspect Roach's mission is to discount this truly historic gathering of Baptists.
This is truly the most unique Baptist gathering I've attended. And I'm hopeful it really does represent the future of Baptists in America.