Strengthening Churches

“We believe that every church has room for growth and development. Working together in collaboration, we hope to partner with local churches to help them better understand and articulate their mission, vision and purpose and then help them to take steps to achieve it.”

- Brian Kirby, Strengthening Churches Core Strategy Director

Explore opportunities to connect, grow, and collaborate with us.

We want to promote emotional and spiritual health for IBC church leaders, knowing that healthy leaders help grow healthy churches.

How would you like to collaborate with us?
Check out these options!

  • Revisiting & Refining

    Revisiting & Refining Your Vision and How to Get There:

    Church Ministry Analysis
    Strategic Planning
    Leadership Pipeline

    Read More
  • EQUIP

    Participate in EQUIP monthly Zoom meet ups.

    Feel free to email taylor.whitley@ibc-churches.org & johnhugh.tate@ibc-churches.org

    Subscribe to our monthly mailing list by selecting 'EQUIP' in the preferences section to receive updates on dates and topics.

    Join us
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BRIAN KIRBY
Core Strategy Director of Strengthening Churches

Rev. Dr. Brian Kirby is an American from North Carolina who has spent his ministry career in Paris, Bangkok, Rome and greater Washington DC. In 2023, he became the pastor of the International Baptist Church Berlin as well as the IBC Core Strategy Director for Church Strengthening. His Doctor of Ministry is in Theology and the Arts from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington DC. He and Denise have been married for more than 25 years and their daughter, Analisse, serves in ministry in Northern Virginia. He loves snowboarding, cycling and music.

When thinking of Church Strengthening, Brian believes that every Christian and church is called to continually seek growth and improvement. Seeking this together through a family of churches like the IBC means that each pastor, leader and church has not only something to learn but also something to offer to others on this journey of growth. He has assembled a team of pastors and leaders from around the world who serve on the Strengthening Churches Leadership Team and together they collaborate with the churches of the IBC to reach their potential and to achieve their mission.

Meet the Team

  • Andrea Hesterberg​

    HEALTHY CHURCHES GLOBAL GUIDE / CERTIFIED MEDIATOR

    Düsseldorf, Germany

  • Dan Maxton

    IBC LEADER

    Coordinator for IBC Interim Pastor Ministry
    San Diego, California

  • A.J. Mathieu

    PRESIDENT

    Healthy Churches Global
    Burleson, Texas

  • John Hugh Tate

    PASTOR

    Emmanuel International Church: Rive Gauche
    Paris, France

  • Paul Dressen

    PASTOR

    International Baptist Church
    San José, Costa Rica