Movements and Changes

 Zimbabwe

Norbert Chabata, elected president, and T. Makaza, elected general secretary, of the National Baptist Convention of Zimbabwe, succeeding Jabulani Mudenda and Herbert Chingono, respectively 

Nepal Baptist Church Council

Baptist witness began in Nepal in 1962 through the pioneering work of Daniel Subba and Harry Gurung, Nepalese exiles who lived in Northeast India. They were supported by the Council of Baptist Churches in Northeast India and the Baptist Missionary Society of the United Kingdom.

The Nepal Baptist Church Council (NBCC) was established in 1992 with eight affiliated churches. In 2006, there were 90 churches and 200 mission points with approximately 12,000 members. NBCC now comprises approximately 16,500 members in more than 150 churches and 250 mission points.

NBCC mobilizes Nepali Christians and churches to share the gospel and build new churches among groups and communities not yet evangelized; trains youth, women, lay and pastoral leaders in regional conferences and at the Nepal Baptist Bible College; and promotes community and economic development.

The Nepal Baptist Bible College had its 16^th anniversary in June. The college helps to equip Nepali pastors in a context where many pastors have no formal biblical or theological training.

Christians make up only one percent of Nepal's population of 26.5 million. More than 80 percent of Nepalese are Hindus and 10 percent Buddhist. 

Gilsan Street Baptist Church (GSBC) in Portland, Oregon, in the United States, was organized in 1953. 

It aims to lead persons to connect with Christ and each other with a mission "to be a community of Christ-followers who lead others to know Christ and worship Him." GSBC seeks to transform lives by the Holy Spirit, reflect the love of the Father and comfort and inspire people to greater works of service.

"Vision, mission, and values... are important and necessary to move forward in life and in ministry," said senior pastor Shawn Newberry. "Truth is authoritative and provides a framework from which to make healthy decisions that benefits others while glorifying God."

To connect people, facilitate fellowship and build relationships, GSBC has home groups. It supports members and veterans of the US military through, among other things, a Military Bulletin Board that encourages prayerful and other forms of support.

The congregation, a Baptist World Alliance Global Impact Church, participates in the Harvest Share of the Oregon Food Bank. The food bank recovers fresh fruit and vegetables from farmers and wholesale produce companies, which are made available to low-income people in the Portland metro area through a farmers'-market style distribution. In the Harvest Share initiative, persons help themselves to the farmers produce at no cost.

"Those whose life is built upon the rock of Jesus Christ will have a peace that passes all understanding," said Newberry. "The one who can do this has a vision.  His vision is centered on the sovereign God who guides and directs."

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