General Secretary A. Roy Medley and other American Baptist representatives are currently overseas, participating in the Baptist World Alliance Annual Gathering in Izmir, Turkey, from July 5-12, 2014.

The Baptist World Alliance (BWA) is a fellowship of 228 conventions and unions in 121 countries and territories comprising 42 million members in 177,000 churches. American Baptist Churches USA is a member organization of the BWA.

The response to my sermon, “But Now,” which was posted the other day has been humbling.

Delegates from the various continents have swarmed me with requests to reprint it.  A British Baptist said, “Roy, you brought the Bible alive today and me to tears.”

Perhaps the most moving response to me was from a sister from Ghana who approached me thanking me profusely and adding, “You blessed us from Africa because you not only apologized then, but you apologized again in front of all of us.”

For the dividing walls of hostility to fall whether between persons, peoples or nations is the need of profound sorrow for wrongs committed and profound grace to offer forgiveness.

May God grant us through his Son Jesus the gift of each.

Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley, General Secretary, American Baptist Churches USA