On July 11, 2025, the BWAid Luncheon, “Beyond Charity: Pursuing Freedom and Justice for the Poor,” brought together 290 participants for a thought-provoking conversation on the future of faith-based humanitarian work. Keynote speaker Amanda Mukwashi challenged attendees to move beyond traditional models of charity and confront the urgent realities of de-colonization, disruption, and displacement.
Dr. Mukwashi serves as United Nations Resident Coordinator in Lesotho and is the former Chief Executive Officer of Christian Aid, where she led humanitarian and development initiatives across more than 30 countries. She is also a published author and an ambassador for the World Council of Churches “Thursdays in Black” campaign, advocating globally against gender-based violence.
In her keynote, she called on churches, communities, and donors to collaboratively reimagine aid and development, rethink missions, and reshape social service ministries in ways that center the voices of the most vulnerable. Emphasizing dignity, equity, and justice, she encouraged a shift toward approaches that truly liberate and empower the poor and oppressed through gospel-rooted engagement.
The luncheon concluded with a closing charge from Emmett Dunn, who serves as the General Secretary and CEO of the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Society.
For more information on BWAid participation during the Congress, check the following article:
https://baptiststandard.com/news/baptists/global-baptists-challenged-to-live-the-gospel/
