  
Washington (BWA)-- The Baptist World Alliance is in the process of making major upgrades to its communications systems and promotional channels.
A newly designed website, aimed at the promotion of the international Baptist organization, is to be launched by April 30. The new site will have added features geared to appeal to Baptists of all ages and all major demographics. It will offer a window into the worldwide Baptist family and into the major ministry focus areas of the BWA.
A new BWA app has been released. It is currently available on Android handsets and will become available on other devises - namely iPhones and iPads - in a few weeks time. The app will enable Baptists from around the world to get access to resources; keep up with international meetings, including the Baptist World Congress and Baptist Youth World Conference meetings; download videos and special messages; keep up with world news about Baptist work; and see reports from NGO meetings at the United Nations. Persons who download the app will also be able to share content with friends via Twitter, Facebook, and email.
The BWA has also inaugurated a new conference registration system. The new system makes it simpler and easier for participants to register for BWA Annual Gatherings, Baptist World Congresses, and Baptist Youth World Conferences, among other meetings. The new package is expected to improve efficiency while reducing the cost of planning for meetings.
A new audio visual system has been installed in the BWA main conference room, along with a Skype Premium and Pragmatic Conference call account. Persons with an Internet connection anywhere in the world can now participate in meetings held at the BWA international offices in Falls Church, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, DC.
A new Internet service using fiber optics is in place. This improves Internet connectivity and offers necessary support to some of the other changes that have been made. It will also result in reduced costs as the system is much faster yet less expensive than the BWA's previous Internet service.
BWA staff demonstrated some of the technological changes and upgrades being made during meetings of the Executive Committee in early March.
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