Missions
We firmly believe that the missionary task is to make disciples, not just to evangelize. The goal of the ICBC missions program is the planting of indigenous, reproducing churches. This includes a focus on the spread of the Word through well-trained preachers who do the work of an evangelist, as well as the establishment of local churches.
Church Planting
Our missionaries are sent out to plant churches. They also assist in church planting by educating pastors to be church planters and by supplying necessary support for church planters and church planting efforts.
We categorize missions into two types: pioneer missions and growth missions. Pioneer missions focuses on planting churches in new regions and reaching new peoples. Growth missions focuses on the strength, stability, and expansion of churches in countries with an existing evangelical witness.
We believe that the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) prioritizes the unreached regions and unreached peoples of the world. It is our desire to aggressively explore the needs of these unreached regions and peoples of the world and take the gospel of Jesus Christ to them.
Mission Support
If you would like more information about our missionaries, have a desire to partner with missionaries sent from our church, or are seeking support as a missionary, please email us.
Grace Baptist Mission
Grace Baptist Mission is a ministry of Inter-City Baptist Church which exists to facilitate church planting in the United States and on mission fields of vital interest to our church. GBM currently services workers in the U.S., East/Central Africa, India, and other Creative Access Nations.
Four Governing Principles of Grace Baptist Mission
The Primacy and Autonomy of the Local Church
The local church is responsible for sending out missionaries and for planting churches, not a mission board; therefore, our mission board will not usurp the authority of the sending church. Because GBM is a ministry of a local church, it more readily recognizes the responsibility and authority of sending and supporting churches.
The Priority of Church Planting
The goal of the Great Commission is churches planted, not just converts won; therefore, our mission board will only service those involved in planting churches and in developing indigenous church planting movements through pastoral training.
Personal Accountability and Responsibility
Open and clear communication is the foundation of effective partnerships, therefore, our mission board will operate within clearly defined ministry partnership agreements which outline the responsibilities of the sending church and the mission board. We also commit to make yearly field visits for accountability and encouragement, and are prepared to go to the field immediately if deemed necessary.
Purposeful Cooperation
Shared sense of vision and mission is the key to meaningful cooperation among churches; therefore, our mission board will focus on developing productive partnerships with likeminded churches, church planters, and missionaries.
Four Objectives of Grace Baptist Mission
1
To serve churches in spreading God’s glory through the establishment of indigenous church-planting movements.
2
To provide a ministry that will help likeminded churches send out domestic church planters and foreign missionaries.
3
To provide a service ministry that will help likeminded church planters and missionaries expedite the deputation process and maintain a strong connection to their sending and supporting churches.
4
To minister to missionaries and churches alike by not charging administrative fees. GBM is funded solely by ICBC, so every support dollar sent is used for the personal support or work of the missionary.