Greetings from IBTS,
In the northern part of the world, many of us are watching spring gently give way to summer. In more settled times, this seasonal transition would naturally invite reflection on what has been accomplished so far and careful planning for the months ahead.
Yet, we are living in a deeply unsettled world. While some struggle simply to survive in the midst of war, the rest of us are constantly confronted with news of conflict and growing insecurity that touches nearly every society.
How, then, do we continue the work of theological education in such times? The theologian Mary McClintock Fulkerson reminds us that some of the most creative theological thinking emerges from places of “wound” - where harm and injustice, often inflicted upon the most vulnerable, are most keenly felt. At the same time, she insists that “there is no other place to look for God than as mediated through the messy place that is the world.”
It is precisely within this “messy world” that IBTS has continued its work in recent months. Allow us to share a few highlights with you.
IBTS Board Meeting in Bucharest
In April, the IBTS Board met in Bucharest, where we were graciously hosted by the Romanian Baptist Union and local churches. We are deeply grateful for their warm hospitality and especially to our Vice-Chair, Dr Otniel Bunaciu, for ensuring a smooth and fruitful gathering.
During the meeting, the Board had the opportunity to welcome Dr Ruth Gouldbourne in her new role as Chair of the Academic Oversight Committee. The Board also approved the 2025 annual financial report, which confirmed a positive financial result, and adopted the new Strategic Plan for 2026–2030.
Looking ahead, nominations for new Board members and a new Chair were discussed and will be presented at the General Meeting in September.
Celebrating Academic Achievements
This has been a particularly joyful season within our academic community - a time of harvesting the fruit of much faithful work.
Over the past three months, four of our doctoral students successfully defended their theses:
Henrik Holmgaard, Erica Whitaker, Katharina Penner, and Jon Huckins.
Each of them has shown remarkable dedication and perseverance over the years, and we give thanks for their achievement. We also remember them and their families in prayer as they continue to serve and contribute to their communities in diverse contexts around the world.
Learning Network
This has been a particularly fruitful season for our Learning Network team, with a range of creative and meaningful learning opportunities taking place. Among these were a 10-week course focused on Standing Against Domestic Violence, and a workshop on Lectio Divina and Art, both offering participants space for reflection, formation, and practical engagement.
Alongside these courses, several webinars explored important and timely themes, including:
Stories of Welcoming Iranians and Other Displaced People (A two-part series delivered in collaboration with the EBF Migration Commission)
Discover Upcoming Events
There are plenty more opportunities to learn with IBTS in the months ahead. From one-off webinars to multi-week courses, our Learning Network offers practical, accessible learning for those serving in churches, ministries, and communities around the world.
Browse our upcoming events and register today to be part of our growing learning community.