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Brazilian Association Joins IPFBM

By September 27, 2013June 17th, 2014No Comments

Brazil-pastorsSCHAUMBURG, Ill.—The International Partnership of Fundamental Baptist Ministries announces its newest partner, Associação das Igrejas Batistas Regulares do Brasil, or the Association of Regular Baptist Churches of Brazil. The IPFBM is a nonbinding coalition of independent Baptist ministries networking to more effectively carry out the Great Commission.

The AIBREB was founded on May 20, 1953, in the building of what was then Baptist Bible Institute (now Cariri Baptist Seminary) in Juazeiro do Norte, Ceará. Fifteen churches were represented at the meeting: seven from Rio Grande do Norte, five from Ceará, and one each from Amazonas, Acre, and Roraima. Today the AIBREB has over 400 churches and several affiliated entities, including seminaries, missions, camps, regional associations, orphanages, and a publishing house. Association churches support missionaries to Mozambique, Cape Verde, Gambia, Venezuela, Colombia, India, and Bolivia.

The AIBREB first learned about the IPFBM through Mark Jackson, who represented the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches in the Partnership. In 2010, Chris Hindal, director of GARBC International Ministries and a member of the IPFBM’s Council of Eight, met with the AIBREB’s council, presenting the Partnership’s history and mission and inviting the Brazilian pastors to consider “joining in the global effort of church planting.”

During the AIBREB’s 2011 conference, Hindal presented the Partnership to the board and answered questions. The next day the board recommended that the association proceed with application. “Much discussion followed, as this association does not ‘rubber stamp’ anything,” says Hindal. “Finally the association representatives decided with a strong vote to apply for partnership. As a new partner, the Brazil association will make a significant contribution to the partnership, not merely due to its quantity of 400 churches, but because of its commitment to missions around the world.”

Deb, Chris’s wife and administrative assistant, says the application and approval process “seemed like it took forever”; it actually took two years and four months. Other associations in the IPFBM, including the GARBC, look forward to partnering in ministry with the churches of the AIBREB.

The International Partnership is holding its 2013 All-Partners Conference Nov. 4–8 at Wangree Resort, Tambon Khaopra, Amphur Muang, Nakhonnayok Province, Thailand.

 

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