Baptist Groups Partner in Bangkok

Posted November 6, 2009 in Association News, GARBC Ministries, Hot Topic

BANGKOK—“We can do more together than we can do alone!” said Ariel Abadiano, addressing delegates to the first meeting of the International Partnership of Fundamental Baptist Ministries. The group is meeting at Wangree Resort for several days of strategy sessions.

A founder of several Baptist groups in the Philippines, Abadiano began his Thursday afternoon message, “Partnering to Advance the Vision,” by challenging the delegates to take the next step of turning vision into reality.

• See a photo gallery of the Bangkok conference.
• Read daily reports of the IPFBM conference.

Later in the afternoon, Dr. Mark Jackson spoke on “The Almighty Mandate of the Master’s Mission” and was presented with a formal tribute, thanking him for his early efforts in organizing international partnerships between independent Baptist groups. While serving as international director of Gospel Literature Services (1986–1994), Jackson traveled and met many of the leaders who would become part of the IPFBM when it was formally established in 1999. The group now includes 57 partnering organizations. Jackson retired as international director of the IPFBM in 2004.

During a business session on Thursday afternoon, 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. The following were elected to the IPFBM Council of Eight:

• Sam Quapourlee (African Fundamental Baptist Mission of Liberia)
• David Osoyi (Indepenent 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)

“There is an immediate affinity among the delegates,” said John Greening, national representative of the GARBC. Greening attributed this to the a shared commitment to Biblical doctrine, a loyalty to a Regular Baptist heritage, and a longing to make Christ known and see His church built in this generation.

“These partners have an unashamed aversion to liberalism and theological compromise. They are rock-solid in their determination to do ministry according to God’s Word,” Greening said.

Calling the gathering “a glimpse of our celestial Home,” John Greening said, “If the response in singing, preaching, and fellowship of the delegates from 32 partnerships representing 10 countries is any indication, the heavenly partnership will be extraordinary.”