What is the Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists (AWAB)?

Updated

The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists (AWAB) is a US-based organization that works for LGBTQ+ inclusion within Baptist churches. Founded in 1993, it describes itself as "the only organization solely devoted to building the Welcoming and Affirming movement within the Baptist traditions" and as "The National Voice for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Allied Baptists in the US." If you are an LGBTQ+ person, an ally, or a congregation trying to become more inclusive, AWAB is the body that connects and supports that work.

What AWAB does

AWAB's stated mission is to advance "the Radical Welcome and Love of God in Jesus Christ" by acting as a ministry of reconciliation and building "the Beloved Community where all will be one." Its work runs along three lines:

  • Advocacy — representing LGBTQ+ and allied Baptists at a national level and speaking into wider Baptist conversations.
  • Education — publishing and writing on LGBTQ+ ministry, including pieces such as Executive Director Rev. Dr. Brian Henderson's opinion article for Baptist News Global on how language affects LGBTQ+ people in churches and seminaries.
  • Faith-based justice — supporting churches in "being and becoming Welcoming and Affirming of all people regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation."

Who it serves

AWAB works at several levels at once:

Level What that means in practice
Individuals LGBTQ+ and allied Baptists looking for connection and a national voice
Congregations Churches working toward or already practicing Welcoming and Affirming inclusion
Regional groupings Baptist regional bodies engaging with the same questions
National body The wider Baptist landscape in the US

How to engage with AWAB

The site offers a few concrete entry points:

  • Find a Church — locate a Welcoming and Affirming congregation.
  • Support — join the "Rainbow Circle" membership, described as a way to "sustain compassion in our faith communities."
  • Newsletter — subscribe to Welcoming Spirit, AWAB's monthly newsletter (the bi-monthly The Welcoming Spirit publication covers longer-form reflection, such as its October 2026 edition on "Legacy, Faithfulness and What Comes Next").
  • Blog and news — read current writing, including tributes and commentary from AWAB leadership.

What to keep in mind

AWAB operates within Baptist traditions and is explicit that it is a Christian, faith-based organization rather than a secular advocacy group. Its framing is theological — reconciliation, welcome, and beloved community — so it will be most useful to people and congregations already rooted in or exploring Baptist life. The site does not publish pricing or membership cost details, so if cost matters to you, check directly before joining the Rainbow Circle.