VALLEY FORGE, PA (2/24/22)—American Baptist Churches USA General Secretary Dr. C. Jeff Woods today released a statement calling American Baptists to prayer amidst the recent military action seen in Ukraine. Read Woods’ statement below.

As we hear news and witness the reports of the assault on Ukraine by Russian troops, I call all American Baptists to pray for the people of Ukraine and all those affected by this military action. As many of you are aware, Ukraine has one of the largest bodies of Baptists in the world and on this day and in the weeks ahead, we especially lift up in prayer our Baptist brothers and sisters in Ukraine and Russia. Please pray for the safety of all people, for minimal loss of life and property, and for a peaceful end to this conflict.

American Baptists have a long history of proclaiming peace and denouncing war: “We record our conviction that war as a method of settling international disputes is barbarous, wasteful and manifestly contrary to every Christian ideal and teaching. We reaffirm our belief that our country should have its part in an association of nations for expressing our common humanity, adjusting difficulties and outlawing any nation that resorts to arms to further its own interests.” (Adopted by the Northern Baptist Convention in 1922)

We also join our larger body of Baptists in this call to prayer. Last week, at the invitation of Igor Bandura, the vice president of the All-Ukrainian Union of Associations of Evangelical Christian-Baptists, Rev. Dr. Elijah M. Brown, General Secretary and CEO of the Baptist World Alliance visited Ukraine to pray and to support the Baptist leaders who have been organizing their churches to make preparations should this day come. Deplorably, this day has come and we call on American Baptists to pray.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

Dr. C. Jeff Woods

General Secretary

American Baptist Churches USA

American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.

Second Baptist Church of St. Louis is an open and progressive community of faith including groups focused on social justice, faith recovery, LGBQT+ and allies, and immigrant families from Myanmar and Thailand.

You may be a devout believer, or you may be a cynic, a critic, a searcher or a seeker. You may reject the “pat answers” of mainstream Christianity. You may have been hurt by a previous church experience.  You may have questions about your faith or doubts about the institutional church. Regardless, you will find friends and compadres at Second Baptist who understand and appreciate the journey you are on. 

We welcome you without regard to your race, ethnicity, age, ability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, level of education, economic status or any other status that may be misunderstood as a barrier to authentic community.

We invite you to join us as we discover grace and faith together.

For more information on Love Chapter and our LGBQT+ alliance, click here.

The word “Baptist” means a lot of different things these days, and the word can have some negative connotations. We believe that we are Baptists in the best way - grounded in the historical distinctions that have made Baptists champions of individual rights, freedom of religion, freedom of conscience and separation of church and state. Women have equal leadership including ordination and service as pastors. We have long associated with American Baptist Churches U.S.A and the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region.

We stand for freedom of the individual in all matters of faith and practice of religion. Such a belief and such a spirit is a challenge to live with all one's powers and creativeness in fulfilling God's purpose. Tradition is worthless if it does not give strength and vision for the present and hope for the future. The tradition of freedom in this Church is truly a spirit which has been passed on to our generation. It is the very atmosphere of our Church, the refreshing air we breathe. Read more