The IFC Story
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International Fellowship of Christ held its first meeting on August 16, 1998. Just two months earlier we could never have imagined that we would be meeting for worship in a small room behind the kitchen of the Long Beach Alliance Church (hover over photo). After all, we were a youth group in an old-fashioned Cambodian church and had just returned to town full of enthusiasm after an inspiring week at the annual youth conference.
However, upon our return we were informed that we would be known no longer as Bethlehem Cambodian Evangelical Church. The church was joining with the First Christian Church in downtown Long Beach and would sever its long-standing relationship with the CEC denomination. The youth department was crushed. What to do? All of our close brothers and sisters in the Lord were in CEC churches and we wanted to keep our ties with them. We tried to accept the new surroundings and new denomination but quickly came to the realization that we could have no joy in that place.
There was a man named Bob Buchanan who, along with his wife Nancy, had a dream to serve the Lord in Cambodia. When Nancy's health wouldn't allow it, they ended up as missionaries for the CEC in southern California. We got in touch with them to see about the possibility of their leading a new English-language church here in Long Beach. They agreed to join with us and the International Fellowship of Christ was begun (the name was suggested by Nancy and voted on by the entire church).
It's hard to believe that International Fellowship has been around for more than three years already. We have had our highs and lows, victories and defeats, hopes and disappointments. Through it all we are convinced that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Lord who is in control of all. We are growing in our knowledge of God and in our trust and commitment to Him. We have had true conversions and discipleship in our midst. We are reaching out to those who need Jesus. Our attendance on Friday nights ranges between 20 and 25 and on Sundays between 15 and 20. Our prayer is to see families as well as students from nearby colleges come to Christ as we rely on Him to build His church to the glory of God.
Another chapter in the IFC saga began in January 2001. Bob and Nancy submitted their resignation in September 2000, effective the end of the year. Through the guidance of our CEC District Superintendent, Nareth May, we transitioned to a new organization for the church. We are grateful for the confidence that our denomination is showing in our prototype second-generation church.
© 2001 International Fellowship of Christ
