| |
 |
In a nutshell, following are significant events that
took place at IBC for the period covering 1959 to present.
IBC started out as a fellowship for American expatriates residing
in the Metro Manila area called "The Southern Baptist Fellowship
of Greater Manila."
August 24. A group of American men and women formed
the Southern Baptist Fellowship of Greater Manila. Fellowship was
held in a private home located at 2680 F.B. Harrison Pasay City.
October 6. The group voted to become a constituted
church known as Emmanuel Baptist Church that was affiliated with
the Southern Baptist Convention.
November 22. The fellowship was officially organized
as a chuch and was named "Emmanuel Baptist Chuch" (EBC).
The Philippine Baptist Mission and the Foreign Mission Board have
played a very important role as channels of God's financial and
spiritual blessings to EBC.
December 6. Major Earl Brown, a member of the
US Armed Forces was ordained as pastor. The church also sought the
help of the Foreign Mission Board for a full-time missionary pastor.
January. The first baptism under Rev. Earl Brown
was Don Parkman, son of Hugo and Doris.
February 8. Fthe first ordination service for deacons
was held.
April 25-29. The first vacation Bible School was
held with an average attendance of 47.
September. The choir was organied by Rev. James
Lee
November 20-27. The first Revival Meeting was held
with Evangelist Charles W. Bowles. Ten (10) decisions for Christ
were made.
December. The Lottie Moon Offering exceeded their hopes. When Rev.
Earl Brown moved to the United States, he was replaced by Rev. Clarence
Griffin from Hartsville, South Carolina. Fund for a land purchase
was provided by the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board on a
half-loan, half-grant basis.
The church building was built at the corner of Amapola and Palma
streets, Bel-Air III Subdivision.
The group grew and attracted more expatriates of different nationalities
and an even greater number of Filipinos. Thus, in 1963, EBC was
renamed "International Baptist Church of Manila." (IBC).
Pasig Baptist Church was organized as the first daughter church
of IBC, with 5 (5) persons baptized on June 28.
The Foreign Mission Board through the Philippine Baptist Mission
granted a loan for the relocation of the church building from Bel-Air
subdivision to Salcedo Village.
August 28. Another daughter church was organized
at Newman's Village and was called Village Baptist Church.
Sale of Bel-Air property was used to purchase the 2,690 sqm. lot
from Ayala Corporation.
Construction of new building at Salcedo Village began. Budget was
taken from sale of the Bel-Air property and loan from the Foreign
Mission Board and the contributions from members.
December 10. The church transferred to the newly
constructed building at Salcedo Village and had its first worship
at the Educational Building.
June 30. The church had its first worship service
at the Sanctuary.
The Preschool Ministry for the international community started.
IBC approved of the use of some rooms of the Church's educational
building as the site ofr the Southern Baptist School of Theology.
IBC celebrated its 25th Anniversary with the theme "International
Friendship Day". Under the Pastorate of Dr. Bill Whittaker
and Associate Pastor John Ewart, the Church celebrated a debt free
anniversary. The loan from the Foreign Mission Board was fully paid.
Several daughter churches were organized. These were churches in
Pagalagala and Pinamalayan, Mindoro and the Messiah Christian Baptist
Church. The mission point in Fort Bonifacio was also started.
IBC was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Under the leadership of Pastor Bob Hunt, IBC purchased a baby grand
piano, a sound system, installed a central airconditioning system,
and undertook a repainting job fo the Church building.
The service for the Tagalog speaking community was started. Pastor
Domingo Guevarra became the first Filipino Associate Pastor.
The church became independent from the support of the Foreign mission
Board and assumed the financial support of the Pastor.
The Foreign Mission Board through the Philippine Baptist Mission
approved the sale to IBC of the parsonage at Hercules payable in
five years.
The Bel-Air parsonage was paid in full in April. The purchase of
the parsonage was one of IBC's continuing effort to support its
own pastor as agreed with the Foreign Mission Board.
Dr. Tim Lardizabal, Jr. was installed as the first Filipino pastor
at IBC. The church becamecompletely independent from the support
of the Foreign Mission Board.
The Pastoral Staff and the Church Council designed the foundational
ministries of the Church for the year and onwards which revolved
around APOWER and CHYMES. APOWER stands for Administration Ministry,
Prayer Ministry, Outreach Ministry, Worship Ministry, Education
Ministry, and Relationship Ministry. CHYMES, on the other hand stands
for Children's Fellowship, Homecare Givers Fellowship, Youth Fellowship,
Married Couples Fellowship, And Singular Living Adults Fellowship.
Ibc held its first short term summer missions program in the municipalities
of Tablas and Romblon, Romblon Province.
April 20. Manette Monteclaro joined the IBC family
as the new Minister of Education.
May 1-3. IBC held its first Family Camp at the
Caliraya Recreation Center in Laguna, with an attendance of about
186.
Mrs. Cristina Miranda joined IBC as the new Director of the Spurgeon
School Foundation, Inc.
November 15. Rev. Byrnise Monteclaro was called to be the Associate
Pastor for IBC's Outreach Minsitry.
June 16. Rev. Henry Pascual was called to be the new Associate Pastor.
IBC celebrates its 40th Anniversary.
September. Rev. Arne Gulbrandsen arrived from the
states to serve as new Senior Pastor of IBC.
May 9. The groundbreaking and construction of the
IBC Annex Building for the expansion of Spurgeon School Foundation
has started.
August. Mr. Rudolfo Floresta was hired to be the acting School Director
of Spurgeon School Foundation, Inc.
December. The New Annex Building was inaugurated.
June. Rev. Sergio 'John' Garcia, Jr. was called by IBC to be the
new Associate Pastor.
|
