Greetings from IBTS,
As we enter a new season, we look back with gratitude on a time of transition, renewal, and community at IBTS. From new leadership and our latest apprentices to gathering with the wider EBF family in Albania, there is much to celebrate as we look towards the year ahead.
Gathering in Durrës
The final week of September saw representatives of IBTS gather in Durrës, Albania, for the annual Council of the European Baptist Federation. Alongside our Director, several staff members, Board members, collaborators, and friends of IBTS, we enjoyed a week of worship, fellowship, conversation, and reflection with Baptist leaders from across the region.
This year’s Council was particularly significant for IBTS, as it marked an important moment of transition and renewal in the life of our Board.
A Time of Transition
During our Annual General Meeting, we took time to express our deep gratitude to Revd Cristina Arcidiacono, whose ten years of service on the IBTS Board, including the last two as Chair, have been marked by wisdom, dedication, and a genuine commitment to our mission.
We also gave thanks for the faithful service of Jan Edström and Pál Borzási, who have completed their terms as Board members. Their contribution to the governance and development of IBTS has been greatly valued, and we remain grateful for all they have given.
Welcoming New Leadership
At the same time, we were pleased to welcome new members into these leadership roles. Following his nomination by the Dutch Baptist Union, Prof. Dr Henk Bakker was unanimously elected as the new Chair of the Board.
Henk has long been involved in theological education, research, and Baptist ministry, and we are delighted that he has accepted this responsibility. We look forward to the experience, insight, and encouragement he will bring to the Board's work in the years ahead.
The General Meeting also elected two new Board members. Prof. Dr Joshua Searle, Dean of Elstal Theological Seminary in Germany, and Daniele Podestà, an experienced pastor with extensive international ministry experience, will both join the Board.
We are grateful to the German and Italian Baptist unions for nominating such capable candidates. It is particularly encouraging that both Joshua and Daniele are IBTS alumni who are now offering their expertise and service to support the next generation of students and leaders.
Meeting Our New Apprentices
Another highlight of the Council was the opportunity to meet the newest cohort of apprentices in person. While we introduced these participants in our previous newsletter, this year's programme represents a significant milestone: for the first time, the Apprenticeship Programme is being delivered in partnership with the European Baptist Federation.
After months of applications, selection processes, and online introductions, it was a joy finally to meet all nine apprentices face to face. Their enthusiasm, engagement, and willingness to contribute were evident throughout the week, and many remarked on the positive impact they had on the wider Council community.
As their formation journey continues over the coming twelve months, we look forward to seeing how they will serve and contribute within IBTS, the EBF, and their own unions, churches, and ministries. We are grateful for their willingness to invest in this process and pray that the year ahead will be a time of growth, learning, and discovery for each of them.
Looking Ahead
As we returned from Albania, we did so with renewed gratitude for the people who have faithfully served IBTS in the past, encouragement for those stepping into new roles, and hope for the emerging leaders who will help shape the future.
We remain thankful for the partnership, friendship, and support of so many across the EBF family and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.
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