The Kaisosi Baptist Church Youth Choir from Rundu, Namibia

There was sporadic Baptist ministry in Namibia coming from South Africa in 1910 and lasting until 1959, after a long history of token Baptist presence in the country, beginning in the 1800s, with the arrival of German Baptists.

 

A greater level of organization occurred between 1959 and 1967 when government civil servants from South Africa, who were Baptists, were seconded to work in Namibia. More permanent ministry and church planting began in 1967, leading to the formation of the Baptist Convention of Namibia (BCN) in 1983.

 

Baptist work was later developed through the Baptist Union of Southern Africa and the Southern Baptist Convention of the United States.

BCN lists its priorities as "teaching, preaching, educating, comforting and encouraging one another."

 

It has focused on leadership development and training through a series of leadership meetings and Youth Leaders Summits.

First Cosmopolitan Baptist Church, in Raleigh, North Carolina, in the United States, was founded in 1890 as the Fayetteville Street Little Mission Baptist Church. It was renamed First Cosmopolitan Baptist Church in 1970 after a series of location changes and expansion.

 

"As Christians, we are constantly aware of our mission to spread the word of God to all people," the church declares. "We believe the Church is a place where people should be able to find a personal relationship with Christ. A place to be fed spiritually. A place where people can use their talents to serve God."

 

Because the congregation "is relentless in its desire to make a spiritual difference in the lives of our membership and our community," a multi-purpose facility named after the church's longstanding pastor, the Willie B. Lewis Multipurpose Family Ministries Building, provides room for various activities to church members and area residents. These include computer and physical fitness classes, tutoring, senior citizens activities, counseling, Christian education, youth activities, basketball games, and others events.

 

The Basketball Program targets inner city children and youth with the intention of leading them to Christ. The congregation joined with Wake County Human Services and other churches in the community to provide foster care and adoption services.

 

In cooperation with four other churches, First Cosmopolitan participated in the creation of the Raleigh Inter-Church Housing Corporation, a housing complex located in West Raleigh, as well as the Cosmo-Lewis Apartment Complex, located in South East Raleigh, to provide affordable housing for the handicapped and the elderly.

 

Through the Service Assistance Program, First Cosmopolitan, a Baptist World Alliance Global Impact Church, offers help for the sick and the elderly with grocery shopping, picking up medication, transportation and other necessities.

Cora Sparrowk, a former vice president and longtime supporter of the Baptist World Alliance, died on January 1 in Lodi, California, in the United States. She was 98 years old.

 

Sparrowk gave decades of support and leadership to a number of Baptist institutions. She was president of Northern California Baptist Churches in 1964, president of American Baptist International Ministries in 1977 and 1978 and president of American Baptist Churches (ABC) USA in 1978 and 1979. Sparrowk served as a trustee of Eastern University and Eastern Theological Seminary (now Palmer Theological Seminary) near the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States, for more than 20 years.

 

She was a vice president of the BWA from 1990-1995 and held numerous other positions in the international organization, including chair of the Constitution and Bylaws and Memorial Committees, as well as chair of the Commission on Christian Ethics. She also served as a member of the BWA General Council, the Executive Committee, the Budget and Finance Committee, the Personnel Committee, Baptist World Aid Committee and the Division of Study and Research Executive Committee. Sparrowk was also named to the ad hoc BWA 21st Century Committee, as well the Commission on Baptists Against Racism.

 

"Sparrowk was a Baptist leader who combined intelligence and intellectual rigor," said BWA General Secretary Neville Callam. "In her relationships, she served up a rare blend of graciousness and honesty. Her commitment to the BWA vision was unquestionable and her service toward that end was exemplary."

She has been recognized for her commitment, service and leadership, receiving an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from American Baptist Seminary of the West in 1978, the Valiant Woman Award in 1984 from Church Women United and an International Woman of the Year recognition in 1992.

 

Sparrowk was named as a Who's Who in Religion and was mentioned in the Women's Book of World Records and Achievements.

 

The Cora and John Sparrowk President's Award, an honor conferred by ABC USA, was named in her honor and that of her late husband, John, who died in 2004.

 

Sparrowk is survived by son, Jack, and daughter, Jill.