The Annual Baptist Assembly will be held from Friday 30th April to Monday 3rd May at the Cardiff International Arena, South Wales. While 2,700 guests gathered in 2003 - setting an all time record, it is expected to achieve an even higher number of participants this year. The conference is one of the most important events for the Baptist communities to share experience in church ministry and worldwide mission.

The programmes cover a lot of aspects in ministry providing cultural, spiritual and practical support for delegates and attendees. Participants can join a range of seminars as well as Bible studies, worship and debate. The 4-day conference is well-planned with Bible study in the morning, conference in the afternoon and worship in the evening.

Respectable guest speakers were invited to give seminars and sermons on the occasion. It will include Joel Edwards (General Director, Evangelical Alliance UK) who will deliver the keynote address on 'The Challenges of the Church' during the opening ceremony particularly, Billy Kim (President, Baptist World Alliance), Anna Maffei (Vice President, Baptist Evangelical Union of Italy) and Peter Manson, with Bible studies being led by Marc Owen (Senior Pastor, Milton Baptist Church, Weston-Super-Mare).

The seminar 'On Earth as in Heaven' will talk about the way to study the Bible, how the life of the church should be and how to raise disciples. 'Discovering the scent of mission' will evaluate local missions in the UK and how the UK churches and mission agencies can cope with the changing evangelical movement worldwide. In addition to these, other useful seminars will be held.

Moreover, the much-appreciated Open Space providing time for private prayer and reflection will be repeated in 2004.

Alongside the Baptist Assembly, there is a full children's programme being run by Scripture Union, and a young people's event called Innovation, run jointly by the Assembly and Viz-a-Viz.

The event is designed to equip and train young people aged 16 to 21 to encounter God's passion for mission. Innovative worship, bible teaching, seminars and practical activities will help them discover possibilities to live differently and make a difference - locally and globally.

The theme of The Baptist Assembly 2004 is 'Rhythm Heaven Scent'. For more information, please visit www.baptistassembly.org.uk.