Amman, Jordan – September 25, 2025 – In a historic moment for the European Baptist Federation (EBF), Dr. Charlie Costa became the federation’s first Middle Eastern president, taking office for a two-year term. The announcement was made during a special celebration in Amman marking the 75th anniversary of the EBF, attended by leaders from Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia.

The European Baptist Federation represents approximately 750,000 members across 59 member bodies in 52 countries spanning Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East. In his address, Dr. Costa expressed gratitude to past leaders, mentors, and colleagues, noting the critical role of faithful service in sustaining the federation’s mission over the decades. He highlighted EBF’s core work, including mission and evangelism, church planting, theology and education, advocacy for freedom and justice, and aid to women, youth, and children.

Dr. Costa also praised the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for its stability, security, and commitment to human rights under King Abdullah II, emphasizing the country’s role as a safe haven in a region marked by conflict. He called on Baptists to remain steadfast in their faith, serving as agents of peace and reconciliation while navigating theological, social, and political challenges.

Read below the full text of his speech:

Your Excellency Speaker of the Jordanian Parliament, Your Excellencies members of Parliament, distinguished guests, brothers and sisters, ladies and gentlemen,

I am honored tonight to be the first Middle Eastern elected to serve as president of the EBF. As part of this federation, the Middle East conventions and partner agencies have increasingly become active on different levels in EBF. My prayer is that I can serve you with the rest of the EBF leadership and staff faithfully, effectively, and, more than anything, prayerfully. For that purpose, I make myself available to your unions to help in any way I can. I am almost certain that you understand the strategic impact this can have on the Baptist presence in this region.

I am indebted to men like Karl Heinz Walter from Germany, Theo Angelov from Bulgaria, David Coffee and Tony Peck from Great Britain, Jan Sæthre from Norway, Birgit Karlson … and the list grows long, who showed me the real value of such a wonderful fellowship called EBF. I am also very grateful to my predecessor, Dr. Mateuz Wickary, for his humble leadership of our federation over the last 2 years.

Tonight, we celebrate the faithfulness of God. He has shown us His mercies over the life of EBF. For 75 years, His mercies were new every morning, even today.

Tonight, we celebrate the reason: 75 years of EBF. We can truly say with the words of Scripture, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” It has been a long and challenging journey. Yet it has been possible because of the faithfulness of God and of Godly men and women who have carried the mantle over the years.

To quote our former General Secretary Tony Peck (in his Tallin Report), “EBF’s constitution from 1949 describes it as ‘a federation for co-operation.’ This means we don’t agree on everything; we don’t do everything together (and let me add, we don’t do everything the same way) … but we come together on a shared Baptist identity to fulfill the calling of God through focus on: Mission & Evangelism and Church Planting partnerships; Theology and Education; Freedom & Justice; Women, Youth & Children; Aid to the needy and the suffering.

Tonight, we celebrate the place: The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Under the able leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn al-Hussien, Jordan is a haven of security and enshrined freedoms for all its citizens. His majesty’s tireless efforts to bring peace to Gaza and the region are noteworthy and an example to be followed. A peace with dignity and compassion and security for all. In his speech yesterday to the UN General Assembly, His Majesty clearly stated, “In Jordan, we are determined to work for a world in which people are secure in their homes, are safe to practice their faiths, and can live and thrive in dignity.” That is why we celebrate Jordan: because of the shared values of peace, human rights, and prosperity for all, irrespective of faith, creed or national origin. The fact that we are here tonight celebrating despite storms blowing through the region tells you a lot about Jordan and the wise and insightful leadership being exercised. In celebrating here, we express our gratitude to His Majesty the King and the Jordanian government and all the security services that made this gathering possible and safe. We pray as a community of faith that our God will continue to safeguard Jordan, its leadership and its people.

Tonight, we celebrate a renewed calling to be agents of Peace. The apostle Paul calls us in his letter to the Ephesians 6:15 “with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” Are your feet fitted and ready?

Looking ahead to 75 more years, if Jesus tarries …

In the next 75 years, may we never waiver from the Gospel of grace, the good news, the proclamation that God so loved the world, the proclamation that those drawn to Christ by the Father will be saved and will have eternal life.

In the next 75 years, may we never waiver from the Gospel of hope, praying fervently and unceasingly that the day will come when a hopeless, chaotic and lost world can sing the words:

In the next 75 years, may we never waver from the Gospel of love and mercy as we continue touching the lives of many who are hurting, who are displaced, and who have no means or place to live with dignity.

In the next 75 years, may we never waiver from the Gospel of truth, standing up for the truth of God’s Word, standing up for the freedoms that are based on Scripture, and championing advocacy for our persecuted brethren.  

In the next 75 years, may we never waver from the Gospel of peace. We have a message to the people of Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and even the world that Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He is our peace. We as Baptists in this region walk in His steps as agents of peace: peace with God and peace among our fellow man – as Alan Donaldson, our General Secretary, has alluded to on more than one occasion, our role is – “to continue the ministry of reconciliation (weaving — it takes time and effort — peace) and work for social cohesion across the region.” To that, we look forward with the help of all the unions and the able EBF staff and leadership.

As the EBF ship sails forth, storms will arise. Theological challenges, moral conundrums, social dilemmas, and political conflicts. In dealing with these issues, we have a choice to make: we can panic, or we can fight among ourselves, or we can sit on the deck of the ship being tossed to and fro, pontificating.

OH, yes, only the Lord knows how many times we have taken one of these options over the years. OR we can look on to Jesus, the author and the finisher of our salvation, who walks upon the raging water to calm the storm. (As Baptists, historically, we have always been Christo-centric people.) Then, what Jesus says, we will do … not society, nor interest groups, nor social scientists, nor political ideologues, but Jesus. Our calling is to please Christ, not the ever-changing social or moral, or political agendas of the world. Yes, we are challenged, even when we differ on matters of theology or social norms or ministry strategies, to be united in our focus on the Gospel of Christ and the Christ of the Gospel … only then will we hear his voice, “Peace, be still.”

Happy Anniversary, EBF. Go forth and weave peace.

Bow with me for prayer. As we meditate for a moment, will this be your desire for EBF for the coming years?