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.

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 is 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, is a university student. 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.

Andrea Hesterberg​

CHURCH DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR​

International Baptist Church of Düsseldorf, Germany ​

Dan Maxton​

IBC LEADER​

Former Strengthening Churches Core Strategy Director ​

San Diego, California

A.J. Mathieu​

PRESIDENT​

The Malphurs Group, Inc.​

Burleson, Texas

John Hugh Tate

PASTOR​

Emmanuel International Church Paris, France  Church Plant​

Paul Dreessen​

PASTOR

International Baptist Church, San José, Costa Rica​

Ways you can partner with us

Revisiting & Refining

Revisiting & Refining Your Vision and How to Get There: CMA/Strategic Envisioning/Leadership Pipeline

Connect group

Joining a leader connect group

Equip

Participate in EQUIP monthly zoom meet ups

Partner organization

Working with a partner organization via strengthening

Care

​Benefiting from care
Interim pastor assistance

Pastoral Care

Serving in church leadership can be a challenge on many levels for pastors and their families. Our team offers pastoral counseling for church pastors and family members. If you would like to connect for this care, please email Pastor Brian Kirby at: strengthening@ibc-churches.org.

Intentional Interim Ministry

The primary ministry role of an IBC Transitional Interim Pastor is to assist an IBC church for a period of three to twelve months as it prepares to call or transition to a new pastoral leader or navigate some other crucial event in the life of the church. The host church must be in agreement with this Transitional Interim description and affirm its cooperation with the IBC in carrying out this type of pastoral interim.

Contact Brian by email