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Kuala Lumpur (BWA)--Approximately 480 guests turned up at the Berjaya Hotel and Convention Center in Kuala Lumpur to the welcome dinner of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) Annual Gathering.
The dinner was a gift offered by Malaysian Baptists, and included performances by children from the Kuala Lumpur Baptist Church and Baptist Christians who belong to indigenous tribes in Malaysia.
"What a wonderful land this country of Malaysia is," said BWA President John Upton. "We will carry you in our hearts and prayers. We assure you that, as always, you are not alone. We are proud to be your brothers and sisters."
General Secretary Neville Callam extended gratitude to Malaysian Baptists, and particularly to John Kok, a BWA vice president and former chairman of the Malaysia Baptist Convention (MBC), for the warmth, welcome and organizational help that Baptists in the Southeast Asian country offered in hosting the BWA.
Isaac Yim, chairman of the MBC, said, "Your presence here will strengthen Baptists in Malaysia in particular, and Christians in general."
More than 300 Baptist leaders and delegates are gathered in Kuala Lumpur from July 4-9 for the BWA Annual Gathering. It involves yearly meetings of a number of BWA groups, including the General Council and the Executive Committee; executive sub-committees and divisional advisory committees; women's, men's, and youth departments; regional groupings; and commissions of the divisions of Freedom & Justice, and Mission, Evangelism & Theological Reflection, and others.
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