What an inspiring, energizing, spiritually uplifting experience to gather with over two thousand people from countries all over the world to share, listen, learn, sing, worship and pray together. The Mission Summit held in Overland Park, Kansas was surely a taste of heaven for many of us gathered there!

American Baptists were there to remember our past as well as to plan for the future. The focus this year was to celebrate Adoniram and Ann Judson’s arrival in Myanmar (Burma) 200 years ago in 1813. What made it so meaningful was to welcome Christian leaders from the Myanmar Baptist Convention (MBC) as well as hundreds of political refugees that have settled in the US in the past several years who spoke messages of hope after 46 years of isolation from the rest of the world. Very gradually the country is beginning to open up. The four-part harmony of four hundred Burmese young people, dressed in their tribal costumes, lifted our spirits as did other outstanding choirs and the international worship team that led us each day.

Our three days together at the convention center not only thrilled but also challenged us in the area of peace and justice. Michelle Alexander, a highly acclaimed civil rights lawyer and activist, spoke of the “new Jim Crow” in our prison systems. Native American dancers gave us a fresh new way of praying. We heard another wonderful choir directed by Mark Hayes, and participated in a deeply moving final benediction “go out into the world to bless and be blessed” that each of us was asked to pray for the person standing next to us. It made us wish more Baptists and people of other traditions could have attended and come away inspired, challenged and refreshed for the journey ahead.

Thank you to all those who made this Biennial truly memorable!

Nancy and Steve James (Haiti)