The annual General Council meeting of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) will convene in Seoul, South Korea from 26-31 July 2004. The Korean Baptists will welcome Baptists from all around the world as they gather for fellowship, celebration and business.

The General Council meets annually to conduct the business of the BWA in between the Baptist World Congresses which are held once every five years. The gathering will oversee and supervise the administration of the whole BWA organisation including each of its Divisions and Departments.

Major concerns that will be raised at this meeting will include the recent decision by the Southern Baptist Convention to leave the BWA, and guidelines for new categories of membership in the organisation to be approved.

The Council elects the General Secretary and other BWA Executive staff. Although all Baptists are welcome to attend, only those designated by their member organisation will be allowed to vote.

During the week of the General Council, the committees, commissions and workgroups of the BWA will also meet.

The Korean Baptists will be led by the BWA President Billy Kim in his home city of Seoul, and the Baptist churches will be open to welcome people from across the globe on Sunday 1st August.

A public evangelical meeting will also be held on Friday 30th July at the Olympic Gymnasium in Seoul.

The main part of this year's business agenda is the nomination of BWA's next President, who will serve from 2005 until 2010.

After the General Council meeting the group will travel to Hong Kong with the possibility also of an excursion into Beijing, China.