It is a global fellowship of Baptist unions and conventions rather than a denomination, so it holds no authority over its member bodies or their congregations.
The Baptist World Alliance was founded in London in 1905 to link Baptist bodies worldwide for fellowship, mission, aid, and the defense of religious freedom. Its members are national and regional Baptist unions and conventions, not individual congregations. It convenes a Baptist World Congress every five years and represents its members in international and ecumenical settings.
Sources
Primary
- Constitution of the Baptist World Alliance
Secondary
- Thomas S. Kidd and Barry Hankins, Baptists in America: A History