How did the International Baptist Church Ministries begin?

The International Baptist Church Ministries began as an idea by Cary Quillin, a Texas attorney and a bi-vocational pastor of the International Baptist Church of Zurich, Switzerland. Cary asked Randy Stevens, a CPA friend from Texas, to help him file papers for a religious organization that would help Baptist churches in Europe. Together, they wrote the Articles of Incorporation, and Randy filed them with the Texas Secretary of State. At the suggestion of Dr. James Heflin, the General Secretary of the European Baptist Convention, Dr. Charles McIlveene, Dr. Larry J. Jones, and Mrs. H.C. (Ruth) Bryson were named as Texas directors. Dr. Rudy and Mrs. Pam Oswald of Florida had also expressed interest and were later added as officers.

International Baptist Church Ministries (IBCM) was approved on November 3, 1997, as a non-profit corporation and given charter number 01466023.

Our first director meeting was held on October 22, 1998, in Garland Texas. Three of our directors were present. Together these directors created our bylaws, qualifications, and applications for membership. They also elected our first officers.

On January 16, 1999, we held our first annual meeting of IBCM in Richardson, Texas. Three directors, four officers, and seven guests were in attendance. Charter memberships were authorized through July 31, 1999, and we welcomed our first 38 charter members.

Officers for 1999 were elected and a bank account was authorized with paid membership dues at Bank of America because the bank had branches in both Texas and Florida. A loan for $2,500 was authorized to pay for the start-up expenses of the corporation.

An attorney, Brett Flagg, was hired to help file papers with the IRS to obtain tax-exempt status. Application papers were filed in March 1999 and the IRS granted the corporation tax-exempt status on August 27, 1999. The corporation had begun receiving gifts and making disbursements.

While founding members Cary Quillin and Dr. Charles McIlveene have gone onto their Heaven home, IBCM continues to honor their legacy, their vision that IBCM would seek to share the Gospel throughout the world.