Reverend Karl Baldwin Johnson of the Jamaica Baptist Union (JBU) has made history as the first Caribbean national to be elected president of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA).
Johnson was elected on Wednesday during the BWA’s 23rd Baptist World Congress, currently taking place in Brisbane, Australia, from July 7–12, 2025.
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“The Jamaica Baptist Union gives thanks to God that in the election of Rev. Karl B. Johnson as chair of the Baptist World Alliance Global Council, we continue an established pattern of outsized contributions to leadership in the global Baptist family,” said Rev. Dwight Fraser, president of the JBU.
Rev. Johnson, who currently serves as pastor of the historic Phillippo Baptist Church in Spanish Town, Jamaica, brings more than 30 years of ministry experience to the role. He was ordained in September 1992 and previously led the Ulster Spring and Calvary Circuits of churches. For two decades, he also served as General Secretary of the JBU, a position he held until 2021.
“We are extremely proud of our pastor, Rev. Karl B. Johnson, on becoming the first Caribbean national to serve as president of the Baptist World Alliance,” said Deacon Sylvester Tulloch, a pastoral assistant at Phillippo Baptist Church. “Rev. Johnson comes to this office with a long track record of service and exceptional credentials. We are confident that he will serve with distinction. On behalf of the Phillippo Baptist Church family, I congratulate him wholeheartedly.”
The Phillippo Baptist Church noted that Rev. Johnson is deeply moved and humbled by the path God has laid out for him. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to his church community and family for their unwavering support throughout his journey.
