The life of IBC

.... The Foundation

IBC's slogan: "Connecting People to Jesus!" gives a good idea of what it's all about.

The following excerpt from our constitution provides a bit more detail:

The purpose of the International Baptist Church, Berlin is:

1. To worship and serve a holy and living God.
2. To bring to the people of the city and surrounding area the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
3. To promote spiritual growth and to disciple all believers to become strong, vibrant followers of Jesus.
4. To encourage godly living and to maintain sound doctrine in our fellowship.
5. To minister to the needs of people near and far.
6. To make every effort to maintain loving fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

.... The Numbers

The INTERNATIONAL BAPTIST CHURCH is a warm and friendly Christian congregation made up of people from the four corners of the earth. Currently, we average around 150 in attendance. Official membership is around 50 people from about two dozen countries. The international community is continually changing within Berlin, and IBC notices this in the transient nature of the church's community. One thing remains the same - the multi-cultural atmosphere and unity we celebrate in the bond of Christ.

.... The Music

The IBC choir was started in 1998 and evolved into a choir/praise team a year later. This group has also grown steadily since then, leading the musical part of the worship service and sometimes singing at other churches within Berlin. IBC has been blessed with a number of talented soloists who regularly prepare special music pieces for the worship service. Special evangelistic programs have been organized about once every 6 months by the worship leader. In September, the International Day was held, giving IBC members and attenders the chance to celebrate the great variety of origins and types of people God has created. During the Advent season, the Christmas Coffee House also reflected the vast international nature of IBC - everyone brought a flask of tea unique to his or her country as well as a typical food dish. Everyone rejoiced in the Savior's birth, singing Christmas carols together until the next tea break, served by members of the Praise Team.

Basic Beliefs:

We affirm the Holy Bible as the inspired Word of God and the basis for our beliefs. This church subscribes to the doctrinal statement of The Baptist Faith and Message, as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention in 1963. We voluntarily band ourselves together as a body of baptized believers in Jesus Christ, personally committed to sharing the good news of salvation to lost mankind. The ordinances of the church are Believer's Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

.... Associate Membership

We are members of the 'Bund Evangelisch Freikirchlicher Gemeinden' in Germany, in the European Baptist Convention 'EBC', and are also associated with the Southern Baptist Convention.