The Rector's letter to volunteers
From the Rector
The Revd Keith G Jones
Tel: +420 296 392 300
Fax: +420 296 392 370
E-mail: jones@ibts.cz
Dear Volunteer,
Welcome to the International Baptist Theological Seminary of the European Baptist Federation situated here in the beautiful city of Praha, capital of the Czech Republic. We are delighted you have chosen IBTS as a place to come and volunteer. My colleagues and I will do everything in our power to make your stay with us a good experience, both for you and for the Seminary. We also look forward to meeting you and explaining something of the history, current work and future of IBTS, but in the meantime we do express our deep appreciation to you for Volunteering to help us in our mission.
IBTS is a place that brings together Baptists from all over the world and one of the best mission experiences is getting to know one another as sisters and brothers in Jesus Christ. So, a key accent at IBTS is our community life. We know Volunteers often belong to a group who know each other, but we do hope you will learn more about IBTS, about the mission of European Baptists and about our resident community of students, families, staff and Directorate who live, work and play here throughout the year. We are a community that tries to live out our Christian discipleship between the triune emphases of prayer, work and academic study.
I want to take this opportunity to very specifically invite you to take time to include as a key part of your Volunteer mission visit some of the following aspects of community life.
Prayer and Worship
Prayer and Worship is at the centre of our common life. So Monday to Friday each day we gather for prayer at 09.00. Generally this is in the College chapel, but during the Conference season (July-August) it can be in Building A. Your Volunteer Host/ess will be able to advise you. This is a common time for students, staff, volunteers, community families and Directorate to meet and join in reading the Bible, in expressing prayer needs and in praying together. This is a fifteen-minute event. On Wednesdays the service is longer with preaching and a Celebration of Communion/Eucharist/Lord’s Supper once a month.
On Sundays the Šárka Valley Community Church (a multi-cultural Baptist congregation) meets in the chapel for Worship at 10.45 a.m. From September to June Sunday School classes are also held. I know you have a choice of English language congregations to attend in Prague, but I do commend this church-planting initiative to you as a way to meet people from several national and cultural backgrounds.
Fellowship
IBTS has a varied community life and our Social Committee arranges regular events in the community. IBTS Weekly gives details of things happening. You are welcome to participate in these events.
One key community activity is our weekday lunch. Our tables are arranged in a variety of formats for small groups, larger gatherings, or quiet conversations. I encourage you to take the lunchtime opportunity to meet staff and students and over a meal discover something more about life in Europe and the work of Baptists in different contexts.
Study
During Trimesters students will be hard at work on their degree programmes. We are always willing to give you more information about study opportunities here at IBTS. You maybe want to encourage a young person from your own church who has completed education to first degree level to consider doing a post-graduate degree here.
Our library is a fine one in the English language and I do encourage you to make use of it during your stay. For lighter reading you can find a good contemporary selection in the Alternative Library.
Ready to help
My colleagues and I will be ready to help you if you have any problem. In the unlikely event that you have any difficulties which cannot be resolved by another member of your group the Volunteer Host/ess or the Volunteer Co-ordinator, please do contact Reception who will direct your issue in the appropriate way.
If you do not get satisfaction please do let me know.
Once again, welcome to IBTS. We are very grateful you have come.
Enjoy your stay.
Yours in Christ
Keith G Jones
Rector
