Global Reach Through International Churches
Posted in: Connect
In God’s providence, “making disciples of all nations” took a giant step forward during a Pentecost (harvest) festival when people from 15+ “nations” heard Spirit-filled believers “declaring the wonders of God” (see Acts 2). These “internationals” left Jerusalem to return to their homes. Churches like the one in Rome were probably started by expatriates like these as they embraced and shared the Good News. Later, the Antioch church expressed its world vision by sending Paul and others to plant new churches. On his second mission, Paul received God’s message in a night vision. The “Macedonian call” brought the Gospel from Asia to Europe for the first time in an intentional way when an international businesswoman and others in Philippi responded to the Gospel.
Today, millions of English-speaking people live outside their home countries. They come from the ends of the earth, and are going to the ends of the earth. These expatriates, or internationals, are working as diplomats, military members, teachers, and business people. Others are students studying abroad. Some are refugees. Some are nationals. These global citizens need the Good News, and International churches (ICs) are providing the Message that transcends cultures and locations at the very time they are open and receptive.
Many return to their countries of origin after a few years as ambassadors for Christ, their lives transformed from darkness to light. A Ugandan working on his Ph.D. in Robotics attended our church in Kaiserslautern, Germany, several years ago, and grew in the Lord while there. He returned to Uganda as a professor at a major university. He also returned as a vibrant witness and disciple, teaching Experiencing God to many of his students. A Sudanese refugee came to Christ at IBC Sofia, Bulgaria, and after discipleship and training, returned to Sudan to plant churches. These stories are multiplied in ICs.
In God’s providence, international English-language churches have been given an open door to reach people of all nations and cultures around the world. There are probably well over 1,000 ICs located mostly in major cities of the world. The International Baptist Convention (IBC)--which has its roots in Germany in the 1950s with the Association of Baptists in Continental Europe, and then the European Baptist Convention—is a family of over 60 ICs working in 24 countries on three continents to strengthen and plant ICs. Over 115 nationalities are represented in IBC churches, often 30-40 in the same church.
Most IBC churches are currently in Europe, but we are growing as the opportunities for planting and strengthening churches grows in other parts of the world. We now have churches in the UAE, Turkey, and Tanzania, and are talking with churches in Latin America about joining us in our work. As a family of churches, we cooperate to do together what we cannot do as well separately. We work together in mission projects and church-planting efforts. We pray for one another. We meet to fellowship and encourage one another. We assist one another in times of need.
We are seeking to build partnerships in the Gospel that result in New Testament churches that reach and minister to people of all nationalities. During this year, we are looking at a strategy for the next five years to plant up to 30 ICs in strategic places. We know we cannot do it alone. We would like to work with others who have a similar vision. We have limited financial and people resources, but feel that God has called us to move ahead.
Dan Bowers, in his doctoral dissertation in 2003 on “International Churches as Launching Pads for Mission to Indigenous Peoples,” notes that, although their mission is primarily to reach English-speaking expatriates, ICS also have the potential for reaching local nationals with the gospel. We also see this potential. In almost every IBC church, there are local nationals who come to Christ. IBC Stuttgart, for example, is reaching many Germans with the Gospel. The church is starting a German language IC in cooperation with German Baptist churches in the area. Many of our churches offer translation into the national language and other languages. After discussions with a visionary German pastor in Nürnberg several years ago, we are working together to plant an IC in his city to reach both internationals and German nationals. This is God’s global heart being expressed to and through His people. We are looking to start churches in Poland, Portugal, and other places in the near future.
Mission boards have largely abandoned the missionary potential of ICs. In the IBC, we regularly meet missionaries who, at the advice of their boards, have little or no contact with our churches and thus miss the opportunity of partnering with them on projects that can reach internationals and/or nationals, and even unreached people groups where they serve.
Help us to plant high-impact international churches in strategic cities. Send and provide for God-called church-planting team members to serve for several years. Send and help to provide pastors and staff members with the right passion and gifts to grow strong ICs. Consider serving with us. The work is challenging, but rewarding. ICs are highly mobile congregations. Our diversity is both a blessing and challenge.
We have a great opportunity to reach and make disciples of internationals who will take the Gospel to the entire world. We need your help. Partner with us. Pray for us. Contact us through our website: www.ibc-churches.org
Jimmy Martin
General Secretary of the International Baptist Convention.
Contact him at gs@ibc-churches.org.
International Baptist Convention
Missional International Church Network