BANGKOK—A vision for shared ownership of the International Partnership of Fundamental Baptist Ministries became a reality during an IPFBM business meeting that took place during the Partnership’s recent conference in Bangkok, Thailand. Messengers to the IPFBM voted to establish a new administrative board called the Council of Eight. The council will organize biennial conferences, receive and approve new applications for partnership, and encourage joint projects between partners.
Chris Hindal, international representative for the GARBC, set the stage for the inaugural council by reviewing the history of the Partnership and stating the need to transition from viewing the IPFBM as being GARBC-led to recognizing the partnership as being internationally led.
The following members of IPFBM Council of Eight were elected to achieve the goal of active international partnership:
- Sam Quapourlee (African Fundamental Baptist Mission of Liberia)
- David Osoyi (Independent Faith Baptist Churches of Kenya)
- Hoi Cung Tum (Chin Association of Baptist Churches—Myanmar/Burma)
- Arleen Fidel (Association of Fundamental Baptist Churches of the Philippines)
- Chatla Devasahayam (Indian Christian Bethel Baptist Gospel Fellowship)
- H. C. Stephen (New Testament Baptist Churches Association—India)
- Chris Hindal (General Association of Regular Baptist Churches—U.S.A.)
- David Cole (Association of Baptist Churches in Guyana)
Association leaders came to the conference prepared to cast a vision by already thinking of possibilities for future endeavors. Dr. Ishak Ahmed, president of North East Baptist Bible College and Seminary, Silchar, Assam, India, gave leaders specific ideas to consider for developing training for national pastors in his message, “Partnering to Educate God’s Servant.”
During a workshop session, international leaders of associations brainstormed topics for future discussion, including church planting by true evangelism and discipleship, Bible training for ministry preparation, morale, Baptist distinctives, short-term Bible schools, intentional mentoring, counseling, indoctrination, pioneering, dangers of worldliness, instructional resources, strengthening churches, accountability, and quality advanced studies for pastors. To further discussion and encourage sharing of information among partners, the IPFBM has launched a new website, http://ipfbmconnect.org.
