Campbellsville University joins Baptist World Alliance

by Gerard Flanagan, lead writer and communications specialist, Office of Marketing and Communications

Campbellsville, KY (08/13/2025) — Campbellsville University has joined the Baptist World Alliance, a fellowship of more than 53 million Baptists from 138 countries and territories globally.

CU was officially welcomed into the global body of Baptists during its Congress held in Brisbane, Australia in July.

Dr. Twyla Hernandez, director for CU's Center for Faith and Ministry, represented CU when it was introduced as one of the 17 newest members to the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), which includes denominations in the Baptist tradition as well as institutions and universities with a Baptist tradition.

"I am very excited about this new partnership," Hernandez said. "I think it can only help as we continue to deepen who we are as a Christian institution, and it is going to provide research opportunities and provide connections with other Christian institutions across the world."

"It gives us a chance to live beyond what we see here in Campbellsville on a global stage in what Christ is doing."

CU also joined the North American Baptist Fellowship, the regional entity for the BWA as a prerequisite to joining the BWA.

Joining the BWA helps CU keep a global vision in fulfilling the Great Commission found in Matthew 28 and staying connected with fellow Baptist believers from around the world, Hernandez noted.

"It helps us learn what our brothers and sisters are going through on a global, worldwide scale," Hernandez said, "and it also helps us to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. So that's part of the glory in it."

The BWA's first World Congress was held in 1905 when John Newton Prestridge, editor of The Baptist Argus, at Louisville, Kentucky, called for a world gathering of Baptists. John Howard Shakespeare, editor of The Baptist Times and Freeman in London, endorsed the proposal.

"Campbellsville University is proud of our Baptist heritage and our grounding in the biblical mandate to reach the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ," CU President Dr. Joseph Hopkins said. "Affiliation with the Baptist World Alliance connects us to Great Commission work around the globe, and it partners us with a network of Baptist colleges and churches to offer support for students, outreach, and missions."

The Baptist World Alliance is a global movement of Baptists sharing a common confession of faith in Jesus Christ bonded together by God's love to support, encourage and strengthen one another while proclaiming and living the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university that offers over 100 programs including doctoral, master, bachelor, associate and certificate programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.

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