News Brief

Brit nominated as President of world's Baptists

-2/8/04

The Revd David Coffey, General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Moderator of the Free Churches' Group, has been nominated as President of the Baptist World Alliance, 2005-2010.

Confirmation of his appointment, in succession to the Revd Dr Billy Kim, Senior Pastor of the Suwon Central Baptist Church in Korea, will take place at the Centenary Baptist World Congress to be held in Birmingham, England July 26-31 2005.

Presenting the nomination of Mr Coffey at the Council meetings of the BWA in Seoul, Korea, the Revd Anne Wilkinson-Hayes, a member of the Officers'Search Committee, said "that David Coffey has been deeply appreciated as an outstanding leader of the British Baptist Union."

Commenting on his qualities, she mentioned his "excellent preaching and communications skills, his personal warmth and ability to relate to a wide-range of people; his energy, enthusiasm and pervading optimism." She also commented on the

prophetic ministry exercised by Mr Coffey through many changes and felt that he would do the same for the BWA. "David is a person who dares to imagine a different reality and then has the pastoral skills to take people into that reality."

The Revd Victor Kulbich, General Secretary of the Ukrainian Baptist Union, spoke of Mr Coffey's outstanding leadership of the European Baptist Federation as its President from 1997-99. "David is someone who helped solve problems between East and West because he knows how to listen. He is deeply sensitive to the needs of people and is a great team leader."

The Revd Dr Bruce Milne, a fellow student of Mr Coffey at Spurgeon's College, London, forty years ago, moved the resolution. "In David Coffey we recognise outstanding leadership gifts and absolute unashamed commitment to Jesus Christ and a deep love for the Word of God."

Accepting the nomination, Mr Coffey spoke of the decision made as "confirming the call of God on my life for the next few years." He continued by saying, "left to my own devices I was never happier than as the pastor bible teacher in a local Baptist church. But we are not called to personal happiness but to joyful obedience. In moments like this you are

aware of the gifts and abilities you do not possess, but I realise this is the best preparation for a ministry which will have to be not by might or strength but by the Holy Spirit of God. I gladly affirm my responsibility as a disciple of Jesus Christ to work with others to reach the lost with the good news of the Gospel. I affirm my commitment to the Micah challenge and will work with others to make poverty history. At this moment I feel the favour of God on my life."

The Baptist World Alliance is a fellowship of 211 Baptist unions and conventions comprising a membership of more than 47 million Baptized believers. This represents a community of approximately 110 million Baptists ministering in more than 200 countries. The BWA unites Baptists worldwide,leads in world evangelism, responds to people in need and defends human rights.

Mr Coffey will succeed to the Presidency on July 30 during the business meeting of the World Congress. More than twelve thousand Baptists from around the world are expected to meet at the International Conference Centre and the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham to celebrate one hundred years of the Baptist World Alliance.