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WHO WE ARE & WHERE WE WORK
BPFNA-Bautistas por la Paz is a 501c3 nonprofit, the largest Baptist network of peacemakers in the US inclusive of other denominational faiths, non-confessional groups and individuals. We serve over 4,000 members from and within white conscious empathic communities and minority groups (People of Color - Hispanics, African American, undocumented migrants, indigenous groups and gender diverse) in four member nations - Canada, USA, Mexico & Puerto Rico. We also accompany peacemakers in South America, the Caribbean, Europe and Africa. We started as the Baptist Pacifist Fellowship in 1939 to build a culture for peace against war and in 1984 we became BPFNA. Read the book by Paul R. Dekar to know us, Building a Culture of Peace: Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America the First Seventy Years .
We are a progressive, intercultural organization of peacemakers with A Variety Of Personalities, Ethnicities, Cultures And Interests. Within BPFNA you will find White Americans, White Canadians, African Americans, Hispanics and Indigenous peoples. We are the first Baptist organization with a bilingual commitment.
We are Gender Diverse, Inclusive and Affirming of physically or otherwise challenged persons and of LGBTQ+ Groups. We are Old & Young, Urban and Rural. We are an incredible galaxy of peacemakers!
“To bear witness to the peace of God rooted in justice,
working together until it comes.”
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO.
To attain our mission, we work into becoming an Antiracist, Intercultural & Decentralized organization. We are convinced that Jesus came not only for personal salvation and the transformation of individual lives, but also to empower the poor, liberate the oppressed, free the captive, and pronounce a new day of grace for all of creation. We believe this also requires structural changes. As we become new creation in Christ we acknowledge this message of liberation and reconciliation by giving witness with our words, our actions and our resources.
We give body to our mission through three major organizational areas of activity:
Gather peacemakers from privileged and marginal communities, committed to transform our societies with diversity of initiatives and approaches from churches, nonprofits, groups & individuals in our network.
Equip individuals, groups and congregations with resources, information & tools for hands-on work of peace rooted in justice.
Mobilize individuals, groups and congregations in response to pressing concerns. We serve over 260 leaders, pastors and activist from the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa and Europe with funds for education, material expenses and tools for awareness of justice's issues and organizing.
HOW WE DO OUR WORK.
We are organized with a board selected by our membership, a staff that execute the work and a network of partners.
A diverse, working Board, representative of 4 member nations (62% Latinx, 15% Black, 31% white.)
Not only Baptist. We are also Methodists, Presbyterian, non-religiously affiliated, etc.
Extraordinary, committed staff.
WHAT WE DO TO SUPPORT PEACEMAKERS AND WHEN?
Communicate/resourcing - Our Website , Twitter , facebook We constantly curate and post resources for churches, individuals and nonprofits on Anti-racism, COVID 19, Safe & Fair Election, Liturgical, Pride LGBTQ+ and more. Model ministries and the Series of monographs – What You Can Do About? All resources support churches in creating faithful and effective ministries on specific peace and justice issues: social and guns violence, domestic violence, climate change, racial justice, etc. The award winner Baptist Peacemaker is a peace and justice journal published 4 times a year. Our Children and Youth Website present resources in English and Spanish for the next generation of peacemakers.
Networking – we network with 99 Partner Congregations and 82 Partner Organizations for Peace. We promote Just Trade for farmers through Equal Exchange.
Grants – Gavel, Peace funds & Relief. BPFNA subsidizes peacemaking projects annually. For 26 years these funds have supported the work of over 234 peacemakers in 36 countries impacting directly around 5,040 persons advancing children and women’s rights, conflict transformation trainings, racial equality, LGBTQ advocacy, intercultural immersive experiences and disaster help.
Advocacy – we advocate for different issues as they arise. The Joint Statement on Racism in the U.S.A. alongside ABHMS and Alliance of Baptist and over 120 signatures from denominational leaders, pastors, individuals, nonprofits reaffirmed the demands for justice for the African American community.
Gatherings – Every year the Peace Camp or Peace Summer Conference has been the major annual event of the organization. Its purpose is to gather and equip members providing a unique space for fellowship. Other meetings we hold are Global Peace Conference 2019, Colombia . Due to the pandemic, we developed our first Peace Virtual Conference, 2020 with 593 participants from 10 nations and the 40 days with BPFNA & 2021 International Peace Conference.