Tony Cupit held Baptist world leadership in the Evangelism and Education and Study and Research Division (both now merged into the division of Mission, Evangelism and Theological Reflection).
The John Leland Centre noted that Tony Cupit is "among the great international figures in Baptist life today," He was the keynote speaker at the June 9 graduation ceremony for the class of 2012. He was honored "for his extraordinary leadership in ministry over some forty plus years."
The Baptist World Alliance press release stated that "The citation praised Cupit as a pastor, missionary, Bible translator, author, church executive and international Baptist leader whose ministry exemplified the model of transformational leadership in global ministry."
Tony Cupit from Melbourne was a Baptist World Alliance Director from 1991 to 2005 and before this appointment served in various ministries not least as a missionary to Papua New Guinea where, among other things, he and wife Margaret played leading roles in translating Christian scripture into the indigenous language.
Living Waters Conferences' funding dried up
Recently Tony Cupit lamented that the funding for the much loved Baptist World Alliances' Living Waters conferences dried and are no longer running.
The Living Waters conferences were held strategically around the world and co-ordinated and inspired by Tony Cupit.
Whereas Regional Baptist World Alliance conferences such as the upcoming Asia Pacific Conference in September are 'working conferences', the Living Waters conferences focus was on Baptist community relationships. They had a different feel.
The last (Australasian) South Pacific Living Waters conference was held in Cairns in 2009 and Baptists from throughout the South Pacific region attended and only a few of them were senior denominational leaders in their countries. One of the workshops was sports ministry as the South Pacific is passionate about their Rugby.
Tony Cupit would jump at the opportunity to resurrect these Living Waters conferences should new funding be available. They provided a very different and welcomed sentiment to Baptist life around the world.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html
