Our Story
a welcome hope
Welcome to
Calahonda International Baptist Church
Calahonda International Baptist Church (CIBC) is a community of hope-filled believers that seeks to glorify God and reach others with the life-changing message and hope of the Christian Gospel.
Our Vision
Our vision is to play our part in the evangelisation of the nation, the revitalisation of the church and the transformation of society.
Join us this Sunday in person or join our live stream service every Sunday at 11am.
Our Story
Calahonda International Baptist Church was founded in 1996, by Pastor Don Spence with a small group of church-planters, many of whom continue to serve and grow the CIBC church culture today. Since then CIBC has grown and been shaped by a vibrant and diverse community of English speaking members from all around the world.
Set amidst the diverse social landscape of the Malaga coast, CIBC is uniquely placed to reach out to thousands of English speaking foreigners with the Christian message and invite residents and tourists alike to make a spiritual home and grow in their faith at CIBC church.
Calahonda International BaptIst Church is affiliated under FEREDE (Federación de Entidades Religiosas Evangélicas de España), the Spanish Baptist Union (UEBE) and the International Baptist Convention (IBC).
Meet the Team
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Bret Burnett
Pastor
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Valerie Webb
Church President
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Kenn Oke
Church Elder
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Sam Heldenbrand
Church Elder
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Yasmin Evans
Worship Team and Women’s Bible Study
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Mary Gow
Deacon
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Joanne Watts
Sunday School 8-10 years
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Ullie Reed
Sunday School 4-7 years
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Tracy Scase
Church Secretary
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Agnes Zeeuw
Love Your Neighbour (Homeless Ministry)
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Doreen Oke
Deacon
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Tonn Zeeuw
Deacon & Men’s Breakfast
Our Values
Our values reflect the heart of our church community and the story of God at work in and through Calahonda International Baptist Church. We hope that you will learn more about us and feel at home through our core values listed below.
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Welcome
We strive to be a welcome hope and a safe place for all seekers after truth, irrespective of class, creed, culture or country.
‘Welcome one another, just as Christ welcomed you, in order to bring praise to God.’ — Romans 15:7
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Learning
We aim to be a place challenged by the Bible as a unified story that leads to Christ.
‘Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’ — Matthew 11:29
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Diversity
We value the call to grow in cross-cultural community, knowing that God is calling all people to his rule.
‘There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.’ — Galatians 3:28
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Outreach
We will reach not only towards one another but also beyond our church walls.
‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ — Matthew 28:19-20
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Prayer
We seek the transformation of our faith from knowledge to relationship with God and others through prayer.
‘The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.’ — Psalm 145:18
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Volunteerism
We seek to give as well as receive.
‘Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves.’ — Romans 12:10
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Friendship
We understand the joy of friendship with God to be the goal of knowing God.
‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. […] Love your neighbour as yourself.’ — Mark 12: 30-31
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Kingdom of God
We will cultivate the truth that our citizenship is not of this earth but that our true family is God’s.
‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.’ — Luke 12:32
Our Statement of Faith
The Bible
We believe the canonical books of the Old and New Testament to be the inspired word of God, containing all things necessary for salvation, and to be the final authority and unchangeable standard for Christian faith and life.
God
We believe in one God, the Creator, who is intrinsically good, infinite, personal, and eternally existing in three persons, and who is revealed to us in Scripture as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ
We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is fully God and fully man, now king of creation. We believe in His all-sufficient sacrifice for sin by His death on the cross, His bodily resurrection, His ascension into heaven and His future return to rule in glory.
The Holy Spirit
We believe in the personality, individuality, and deity of the Holy Spirit who is one with the Father and the Son in the Godhead. We believe that He indwells every believer, is the source of our spiritual life, and is the prompter and enabler of our obedience to God.
Salvation
We believe that salvation is a free gift of God available to all people. Salvation is membership into God’s Kingdom, freely given by faith alone in Jesus Christ to all who believe and look with joy to His return, and in whose life and rule we will partake eternally.
Baptism
We believe in baptism by full immersion for those able and willing to declare publicly their allegiance to Jesus Christ. We believe that baptism symbolizes death and new life, the cleansing of repentance and new life in the Holy Spirit. We encourage the public dedication of infants to God, rather than infant baptism, as a testimony of our corporate commitment to raising our children in the knowledge of the goodness of God.
Communion
We believe that communion both commemorates Jesus Christ’s historical atonement for us on the cross and foreshadows the coming wedding feast which will inaugurate his physical kingdom on earth. As such, communion should be treated with reverence and joy. Communion at CIBC is open to all who trust in Jesus and look with anticipation for his return.
Holiness
We believe that we are all broken and sinful creatures. We also believe that God is powerful, not only to save but to give in abundance what is necessary to live in purity and light, as He is light. We believe that the body of Christ, the church, is God’s chosen community in which we are to encourage one another in love and good deeds, in order that the daily expression of our faith might be consistent with the cleansed beings we already are in Jesus Christ. We believe this process to be a lifelong journey until the day we meet our King face to face.
Questions?
Do you have questions or want to talk with someone?
Contact us we’d love to hear from you!
What we love about cibc
“Over the years, CIBC has been my local family, one I can count on and turn to on the good and the tough days. I am so grateful for this God-given gift.”
— Marylou Campbell
“We have a real love for CIBC and the loving welcome that happens right from the door. I have had really good grounding and teaching that has impacted us and as outsiders looking in when you have been travelling to so many different places, its an Oasis to come to.”
— Pam and John McDowell
“This is a safe space for me; a place where I can go deeper in my journey with God, grow in my faith and make sense of the world we live in. Week after week I see a glimmer of God’s kingdom on earth as we come together from all nations to praise and grow together.”
— Rio Summers
“People at CIBC are passionate about worshipping God and it feels as if His lights shines in their midst. They warmly embrace newcomers and nurture one another.”
— Gerda and Andrew Marais
“Every Sunday there is a wonderful mix of nationalities and people from different backgrounds and churches coming to gather to worship as one. The main goal of CIBC is to offer a welcome hope to everyone. Love is the engine of this church and we hope many others will come to discover the life-changing hope of Christianity in this place.”
— Ton and Agnes Zeeuw
“For me, there is a sense of belonging at CIBC, and part of being a big family.”
— Naps Guzman
“What I love about CIBC is how we are all bought into a community like family. The coffee we enjoy together after, sharing ideas and support for each other. We also sing amazing songs which are reality with our lives. 🙏”
— Simone Catania
Do you have a story to share about CIBC?
Drop us a note we’d love to hear from you and share your expeience with others!
Next Steps to Connect
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Sundays at cibc
Come and join us at Church and worship with us this Sunday. If you are unable to join us in person, find out ways to you can tune in online!
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Join a Group
Discover how you can get plugged into one of our groups including Prayer, Women’s Bible Study group, Men’s breakfasts, Children’s Sunday School and more…
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Support cibc
We rely on the financial support and generosity of friends of cibc. Discover ways you can support us through both prayer and financial giving.
Together Online
