International Baptist Convention
The International Baptist Convention is an association of English-speaking Baptist churches and missions in Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
| Part of a series on |
| Baptists |
|---|
 |
Over one-third of IBC churches are composed of mostly military personnel, but there is a growing "international" membership. Membership in the Convention is open to all churches that "willingly seek to implement" the principles and practices of the IBC Constitution. Over 70 churches in 27 countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates) are affiliated with the International Baptist Convention. Possessing an ecumenical outlook, most of the IBC churches cooperate with other Baptist bodies in their respective countries. The IBC also partners with International Baptist Church Ministries, a non-profit corporation headquartered in Richardson, Texas.
History
The International Baptist Convention has its roots in the Association of Baptists in Continental Europe (ABCE) and mission work by the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). Two Baptist churches in Germany—Immanuel Baptist Church in Wiesbaden and Bethel International Baptist Church in Frankfurt—formed the ABCE circa 1959. Beginning in 1961, the Foreign Mission Board of the SBC sent a missionary couple to work with these churches. Some churches from England joined the ABCE in 1964, and the name was changed to the European Baptist Convention (EBC). The first EBC churches were started to minister to United States military personnel stationed in Europe. The name was changed to International Baptist Convention after the body expanded outside Europe.
Beliefs
Churches of the International Baptist Convention hold as important the following beliefs—the triune Godhead, Jesus Christ as the only savior, the Bible as the inspired Word of God, personal faith in Christ, the priesthood of all believers, baptism by immersion for believers only and religious liberty.