It was a privilege for IBCM Network to host the global IBCM8 conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 19 – 24 June 2023. As one family 1208 participants from 104 countries gathered to celebrate, worship, and be inspired for ministry and mission together.
MAIN SESSIONS
The conference gathered under the theme “For Christ’s Love Compels Us” and encouraged us with daily ministry focuses around Unity, Mission, Discipleship, Care, and Worship. The keynote speakers, Ramez Atallah and Nate Bramsen, with one voice brought strategic and visionary addresses, encouraging us to believe that anything is possible with God, that God wants to redeem, reconcile, and transform this broken world with his love, bringing beauty from ashes. They called us to have the heart of God that gives everything for each other and to reconcile the world to Christ. Nate and Ramez both remarked that at this conference the unity and love were tangible. Praise God for that.
NETWORK & ELECTIVES
For the first time at an IBCM Conference the participants gathered in ministry Network Tracks to connect, discuss, and then envision in their area of service for God. Following the conference each network is encouraged to continue to support, bless, collaborate, and learn from each other, so that these networks grow to strengthen the churches worldwide. Across the conference week there were 45 electives that focused on specific issues connected to each Network Track – Youth, Mission, Leadership, Children, Training & Theology, Church Ministry, and Evangelism & Church Planting.
YOUTH FOCUS
IBCM8 had a specific youth focus. Over the last 4 years the IBCM Network team has intentionally created a Youth Network of over 100 Youth Ambassadors from over 70 countries. Together with these leaders we have shaped the youth components that were present throughout IBCM8, such as the youth panels, the youth network track, and the Go-Serve mission trips. This strategic focus encouraged over 260 under 35 year old attendees. Over a meal at the conference the Youth Ambassadors gathered to get to know each other, and to start to envision how regional and global collaboration among the youth could strengthen and transform our churches. Many are now considering the possibility of youth conferences and other events in their regions.