15/04/2026
STATEMENT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON THE POSTPONEMENT OF IBCP 2026 GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
This is to inform the entire membership of the Independent Baptist Churches in the Philippines (IBCP) that in an emergency meeting of the Board of Trustees held on April 9, 2026, the Board has unanimously resolved to postpone the 2026 General Assembly and Centennial Celebration set on May 20 -22, 2026 to a later date within the year due to the national crisis prevailing in the country that seriously affected the living conditions of our members.
A decision like this is not easy. It carries history, expectations and emotions but it was done with much prayers and consultations with majority of the District Presidents. The BOT
chose people over program. What we foresaw was real. High cost on the needed expenses (like the district presentations), meals and transportation, among others, that would result to financial strain on members. Low attendance that would not reflect the whole body. As a shepherd, we will not burden our people just to fulfill a schedule. We value participation over presentation. However, be assured that this is not a setback - it is a Sacred Pause arrived with discernment.
In scripture, even sacred plans were sometimes delayed - not denied. Like the case of David. He desired to build the temple for God, but the Lord said "not now". Yet God still honored his heart and allowed his son to fulfill it. A delayed plan is not a canceled purpose.
a. We are preserving the sanctity of the
celebration.
b. We are waiting for God's better timing.
c. We are choosing substance over
spectacle.
100 years is too sacred to rush in the middle of crisis. We are not stopping the celebration - we are preparing more so well for it. If God sustained IBCP for 100 years, He is more than able to sustain our plans until the right time.
Our centennial celebration is not just a date on the calendar - it is a testimony of God's faithfulness. And testimonies are best told at the right time, in the right spirit and with full hearts. So we wait - not in fear but in faith.
1 Corinthians 14:40 says, " Let all things be done decently and in order". Order includes: proper timing, proper conditions, proper readiness of people. Forcing a celebration when many cannot come would not be "order" - it would be pressure.
We are mindful that celebrating 100 years is not about holding an event - it is about gathering a family. And if many of our family cannot come because of present realities, then we wait. Not because we cannot celebrate, but because we want to celebrate together. NOT low attendance, but we are waiting for full participation. We are protecting the unity of the body. We are recognizing every member's situation.
God sustained us for 100 years - not through events, but through people. So, we will not celebrate without them. We did not cancel joy. We protected it. And when the time comes - when more can come, when hearts are lighter, when resources allow - our centennial celebration will not just be attended - it will be felt and glorifying to our GLORIOUS GOD.
GOD BLESS IBCP!
Davao City, Philippines, April 13, 2026
For the Board of Trustees
(SGD.) PTR. EMMANUEL P. GALICIA, JR.
IBCP President
