ABOUT IBC BONN
One family, brought to Bonn from 45 nations.
We're an English-speaking, international Christian community in Bonn — ordinary people from every continent, brought here by GOD, learning to follow Jesus together.
01 · WHO WE ARE
A church for people far from home — and for Bonn.
IBC Bonn began as a handful of expatriate families who wanted to worship in English. Today we're students, professionals, retired, refugees, and lifelong Bonners — a living picture of the Church from every tribe and tongue.
We belong to the International Baptist Convention, a fellowship of English-speaking churches across Europe, and we are rooted right here in Bonn.
02 · WHAT WE BELIEVE
THE GOSPEL
SIMPLY MEANS “GOOD NEWS”
The Gospel is all about God reconciling us back to him, so that we can worship him and be with him forever and ever.
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The Bad news is that we are all sinners. Because we ALL fall short of this standard we cannot earn or work for a right standing with God, but only earn death. Despite our sin, God loves us and wants to reconcile us to Himself.
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Therefore, God sends his only son, Jesus, to come and pay the price of our sin by dying on a cross. Jesus paid the price for the whole world. He rose back from the dead proving he has power over sin and death and everyone that believes in Jesus, and trust in his work on the cross, will be saved from their sin.
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Only in Jesus we are set free from the bondage of sin. Even more, God gives us the goodness and right standing we need to be reconciled to Him and He declares us forgiven. Even more, He gives us the Holy Spirit to live within us, teaching us to live lives that reflect God. Even more, He guarantees us a place with Him in heaven for eternity.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
These statements of faith reflect our devotion to the Bible’s first place in matters of faith and practice
The following statements of faith do not contain everything we believe at IBC Bonn, but everything we teach agrees with the doctrine presented in this section.
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We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired by the Holy Spirit and without error in the original manuscripts. We believe that it is the exclusive, final, and complete revelation of God for all people and is the ultimate authority in all matters of faith and daily life. We believe that the Bible communicates God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ without confusion or distortion. (Galatians 1:8–9; Ephesians 3:4–5; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; Hebrews 1:1–2; 2 Peter 1:19– 20)
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We believe there is one God who exists in three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). He is creator of heaven and earth. We believe that before its fall into a state of sin, God’s creation was perfect in all things. As creator, God rules over His creation and is the only One who may judge between good and evil. He is righteous, holy, sovereign, all-knowing, all-powerful, and ever-present. In perfect love, He concerns Himself mercifully and graciously in the affairs of all people. He hears and answers prayer. He forgives sin and saves from condemnation all who by His grace come to Him through Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1–3; Exodus 34:6–7; Deuteronomy 4:25, 30, 31; Psalm 139; Psalm 145; Isaiah 6:3; John 4:24; Ephesians 2:8–9, 4:6; Titus 3:4–5)
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We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s one and only begotten Son, fully God and fully man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. We believe that salvation from sin and to a new life in God is only possible through the gracious self-giving of Jesus Christ and must be received by faith. We believe in His sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe that He died in our place for our sin, that He rose again, and that He ascended into heaven. We believe He continually intercedes for His people and will personally and bodily return to earth. (Genesis 3:15; Luke 1:27– 28; John 1:1–2; Romans 5:8–10; 1 Corinthians 15; Philippians 2:5–8; Hebrews 4:15, 7:25; Luke 24:36–43; Acts 1:11; Ephesians 2:8–9; John 3:16)
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We believe in the Holy Spirit, sent to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He restores, sets apart for God’s purpose, and empowers all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ at the point of salvation. Having sealed the believer in Christ, He remains an abiding helper, teacher, and guide. (Genesis 1:2; John 14:1– 16:33, 16:8–9; Romans 8:26; 1 Corinthians 12; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 1:13–14)
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We believe that both men and women are created in God’s image. Therefore, men and women, although distinct, are equal in dignity, honor, worth, and are together co-heirs with Christ. We believe that all people are sinners by nature and by choice and are, therefore, under condemnation from which they are incapable of saving themselves. We believe that God, by His grace alone, has provided the only means for salvation through the sacrificial, atoning, and substitutionary death of Jesus Christ and His resurrection. We receive eternal life and enter a personal relationship with God, when by faith we confess and repent of our sin and commit our lives to Jesus Christ, our only Savior. (Genesis 1–3; John 1:12; Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:23, 10:9–13; 1 John 1:9; Isaiah 53:1–12
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We believe in the global Church, the living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all followers of Jesus Christ are members. We believe in the local church, accountable to God alone where we unite by the Spirit for worship, work, learning, and fellowship as a community of believers in Jesus Christ. We believe that we, in response to the Great Commission, have been sent out and given the task of making disciples (committed followers of Jesus Christ) from among all peoples. (Matthew 28:19–20; Mark 16:15; Acts 2:42–47; Romans 1:11)
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We believe the Holy Spirit indwells and gives spiritual gifts to each believer to love, serve, and edify the Church according to the biblical definition, order, and function of those gifts for the glory of God. Each believer has a spiritual gift, and therefore has a ministry to be exercised within the local church. (Ephesians 1:13–14, 4:16; 1 Corinthians 12–14; Hebrews 2:4; Romans 12:4–8)
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We believe that Christ has, according to the Scriptures, instituted two church ordinances for believers:
a. Baptism is an act of obedience and a joyful, public expression of previous, personal commitment to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ. The baptism of the believer into and under water “in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” is symbolic of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, the end of an old way of life and the beginning of a new life in Christ. (Matthew 28:19–20; Romans 6:3–4)
b. The Communion of the the Lord’s Table is a proclamation, celebration, and a repeated reminder of Christ’s death, resurrection, and future return. (Matthew 26:17–30; Mark 14:12–26; Luke 22:7–20; 1 Corinthians 11:17–26)
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We await the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth in his full glory and power and the establishment of his eternal kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment of all humanity, the eternal joy in God’s kingdom for those who are made righteous through faith in Jesus Christ alone, and the endless suffering in hell of those who do not place their faith in Him. (Matthew 24:1–25:46; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 3:10–15, 15:50–54; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18; Revelation 20:11–15, 21:1–4)
03 · LEADERSHIP
Shepherds, and teachers
Our pastor and elders serve alongside a team of volunteers from across the congregation.
LEAD PASTOR
PR. DR. STEPHEN CAMPBELL
Digging into the Word together, and praying it into our week.
EDDY JIKONG
ELDER
Digging into the Word together, and praying it into our week.
PHILIPP MOSER
ELDER
Digging into the Word together, and praying it into our week.
04 · FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Come talk to us!
Marriage, Sexuality, and Gender
Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; Romans 1:26-27
WE AFFIRM that God designed creation purposefully. He created humanity male and female, and that marriage is a covenantal union between one biological man and one biological woman, reflecting Christ and the Church. We affirm that gender and sex are not disconnected, but are good gifts from God given at conception. These gifts should be accepted with gratitude and lived out in joy. We affirm that sexual intimacy is a good gift from God only to be enjoyed within the covenant of marriage defined by God.
Justice and Culture
Micah 6:8; Isaiah 1:17; Romans 12:9-21; Galatians 6:10; Mark 5:21-43; Revelation 21:4; Genesis 1:31
WE AFFIRM that biblical justice flows from God's righteousness and is expressed through love, mercy, and truth. We affirm that Jesus's earthly ministry pointed to this glorious future and calls His disciples to engage in the kingdom work to reduce the pain and suffering of those around us by pursuing kingdom principles.
We affirm that Christ's kingdom brings hope, healing, and restoration, and that He calls His people to care for those who suffer, beginning within the household of faith and extending to the world as a means to lead them to saving faith in the God who loves them and meets their needs in Christ.
Complementarianism
Genesis 1:27; Ephesians 5:22-33; 1 Timothy 2:11-14; Titus 2:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:3
WE AFFIRM that men and women are equal in value and dignity before God, yet have intentionally different, complementary roles rooted in creation that are to be lived out in the family and church. These distinctions demonstrate God's wise design and support human flourishing. We affirm that both men and women are gifted by the Holy Spirit to build up the church, but only qualified men can serve as spiritual shepherds of the church in the role of pastor/elder.
Abortion
Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 139:13-16; Exodus 20:13; Psalm 127:3; James 1:27; 1 John 1:9
WE AFFIRM that every human life is created in the image of God and begins at conception. We affirm that God alone is the author and giver of life, that every unborn child is a unique person known and loved by God, and that all human life possesses equal dignity and value. We affirm that children are gifts from God and that the church is called to protect life, care for mothers and families with truth and compassion, and proclaim the hope of forgiveness and restoration through Jesus Christ. We affirm that abortion is a terrible evil, but there is grace, healing and compassion for those who confess their sins and come to God for His forgiveness.
Now you know us. Come and be known.
Whether you're new to Bonn, new to faith, or just looking for a family — there's a seat for you this Sunday.