Baptist World Alliance delegation visits Egypt, Lebanon and Syria, holds dialogues with religious, political leaders

Christian Daily ^ | Jun 16, 2026 | Daoud Kuttab

[CondoleezzaProtege]

A Baptist World Alliance delegation visited Egypt, Lebanon and Syria in a regional tour focused on Christian unity, interfaith dialogue and planning for a global commemoration of the 2,000th anniversary of Jesus Christ's life and ministry.

The delegation was led by Elijah M. Brown, General Secretary and CEO of the Baptist World Alliance, and included Charlie Costa, President of the European Baptist Federation...

Costa told Christian Daily International the conditions in Lebanon and Syria weighed heavily on the delegation. Quoting Luke 21:25 — "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea" — he said the verse captured the mood. "People are suffering economically, especially in Lebanon and Syria, and the frustration and despair were clear in people's eyes and words."

In Egypt, the delegation met with His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, and with Dr. Osama Al-Azhari, Egypt's Minister of Religious Endowments.

Proposals on the table included a formal Baptist–Coptic Orthodox dialogue...

The delegation also discussed plans for 2033, when the Baptist World Alliance hopes to gather church leaders from around the world in Jerusalem to mark the second millennium anniversary of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the beginning of the church. The gathering would include a reading of the Sermon on the Mount and was described as a testimony of unity among churches.

Coordination for the Egypt meetings was supported by Pastor André Zaki, President of the Evangelical Church in Egypt.

---

TOPICS: Current Events; Ecumenism; Evangelical Christian
KEYWORDS: baptist; egypt; lebanon; syria

[CondoleezzaProtege]

Baptist World Alliance delegation meets with Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun, presenting the BWA's global mission and discussing the vital role of Baptist churches in education, health and community development across the Arab region.

From right: Rev. Ibrahim Nusair of Aleppo, Rev. Boutros Zaour of Damascus, and Rev. Nabeeh Abbasi, President of the Jordanian Baptist Church and BWA Ambassador for the Middle East and North Africa