Irving Bible Church
We are IBC: 50 Years on the Journey
Whether you’ve been at IBC only five days or all 50 years, you have a compelling reason for being here.
In 1960, a few small group Bible studies gathered together and bought an old church building on Grauwyler Road in northeast Irving. The 20-person congregation formally organized themselves in 1962 as Irving Bible Church, and 50 years later the body of IBC still gathers to walk the journey of faith together as a family. In 2012, we celebrate the legacy of those believers who had the vision, endurance and faith to make — and keep — IBC a reality through the years, many of whom you can still find sitting at the Mo or walking through Town Square on any given Sunday. But most of all, we celebrate God — his faithfulness, his persistence, his blessing, his work — and praise him for the salvation and new life that make “Big C Church” possible, and IBC a reality.
Makes you wonder: where will God take us next?
What's Your IBC Story?
Small journeys are part of big journeys, just like small stories make up larger ones. But of course, no one’s story is ever really small. So, what’s yours?
The year 2012 marks IBC’s 50-year anniversary. In October, we will be holding a church-wide birthday party of sorts, and we need your help to make the celebration complete. Whether you’ve been at IBC only five days or all 50 years, you have a compelling reason for being here. What is it? How has God led your personal journey to IBC? What’s been the biggest blessing to you? To your family? Maybe your IBC story is even funny, or just a little bit sad. Whatever the details, please share your IBC story with us in 150 words or less.
Some of Our Stories
We’ve provided a few stories from members of the IBC Communications Staff below as examples (and to help get the words flowing).
Josh Wiese
Llamas and the laughter of my children at the Easter Eggsperience. Heartfelt worship and the word of God being taught with humility. Sunday night meals with friends in Town Square. Collaborating in the creativity of the Creator. Lake house retreats in east Texas with our community. Growing in the love of my God and my neighbors. That’s my IBC story.
Julie McQuitty Rhodes
My IBC story begins around the half-moon table on the first day of my 1st grade Sunday School class. On the last day at our old church, the congregation sat our family down center stage while a recording played of Michael W. Smith's "Friends are Friends Forever." It was sad—1987 sad. My dad had been an associate pastor of our old church. Now he had a new church, which meant we had to come along, and I was suspicious. But 25 years later, I look back on a lifetime of fond IBC memories. And they're more than memories. IBC has formed the backbone of my entire life experience—from being baptized in the old sanctuary by my dad, to the Russia mission trips and youth theatrical productions, to now bringing my own children to VBS at IBC. IBC has formed my faith not only in our loving, grace-filled, wonderful Savior—but also in his church.
Victoria Andrews
In the fall of 2009 I had just moved back home to live with my parents after college. I was working retail, lonely, and not happy with where God had me. At this point person after person began encouraging me to visit IBC, which was 45 minutes from where I lived. I decided to go visit purely so I could tell people that it wasn’t the church for me. God had other plans. By Christmas of 2009 I was regularly attending IBC and attending a Bible study with other single women. Now almost 3 years later, IBC has been the catalyst for many of my friendships, for my community, and for my spiritual growth. I am so thankful that God worked even in my stubbornness and has used IBC so much in my life.
Lindsey Sobolik
My IBC story began seventeen years ago on Finley Road as a 4th grader. I have precious memories of growing up at IBC, and I am truly thankful for the pastors, mentors and friends who helped build my Christian walk. One of the first formative moments of my life occured at IBC on Sunday July 4, 2004. The sermon was about the freedom that Christ offers us when we find ourselves in the deep pits of life. An insecure teenager, I realized the Lord was speaking directly to my struggles with depression and anorexia nervosa. Hearing truth that day helped me to take steps towards healing and understanding God’s grace. Looking back, I see that encounter with the Lord as one that has affected the rest of my spiritual walk. It has been a joy to witness God’s faithfulness in my life as a result of his work through IBC.
Now It's Your Turn
Use the form below to share your own IBC story. Thanks for being part of this very special year in the life of the church!
Ordinary time is an occasion to become attentive to the call of discipleship both outer and inner.