IBTS

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IBTS is an international theological research and learning community. 🌍

20/10/2026

IBTS at the EBWU Conference 🇨🇿

More than 90 women from 26 countries gathered in Prague for this year’s European Baptist Women’s Union (EBWU) Conference, centred on the theme “Unshakable”.

Nora Kalkman represented the IBTS Learning Network and the team behind our Stand Against Domestic Violence course, connecting with women from across Europe and beyond for a time of fellowship, learning and encouragement.

The conference reflected on what it means to remain unshakable in an uncertain world, grounded in God’s presence, strength, wisdom and faithfulness.

It was an opportunity to share experiences, learn from one another and strengthen connections across the international Baptist community.

19/10/2026

What makes IBTS important to the wider Baptist academic community?

Darrell Jackson highlights IBTS and the John Smyth Library as one of the few centres with a particular focus on Baptist studies, creating an important space for research, learning and engagement within the Baptist tradition.

He also shares how IBTS serves as an inspiration to other theological institutions, including Whitley College in Australia, and why centres like IBTS are important for supporting and connecting Baptist scholarship across Europe and around the world.

16/10/2026

Teen Dating Violence: Unmasking the Unseen Realities

Teen Dating Violence is now explored as part of our Stand Against Domestic Violence (SADV) course. In this webinar, we’ll look at the reality of dating violence in both society and churches, and the different ways harmful behaviours can be normalised and perpetuated.

We’ll explore the pressure, shame and manipulation that can be used to intimidate and control young people, and consider how narratives such as “this is normal” or “if you don’t do this, you don’t love me” can disguise abusive behaviour.

17 November 2026 | 19:00 CET
Online | Free

Join us to learn more about the unseen realities of Teen Dating Violence and consider how we can better recognise and respond to it.

Join us for this important conversation - https://www.ibts.eu/programmes/teen_dating_violence_unmasking_the_unseen_realities

15/10/2026

IBTS at the BETH Conference 🇵🇱📚

From 19-22 September, Katharina Penner from the IBTS John Smyth Library attended the annual conference of BETH (European Theological Libraries) in Warsaw, Poland.

This year’s conference explored mission collections: historical resources held by European churches following centuries of mission engagement around the world. Discussions focused on how digitisation can help preserve these collections and make them more accessible for research and study.

Interested in exploring Baptist mission resources?

Mission Resources: https://missiology.org.uk/ (search for "Baptist"), developed by Rob Bradshaw.

Baptist Heritage Library: https://archive.org/details/baptist-heritage-library, developed by IBTS.

These initiatives help safeguard important historical resources and ensure they remain accessible to researchers, students and future generations.

14/10/2026

Learning Together | From Ukraine 🇺🇦

A few months ago, Yuliia contacted us on behalf of the Institute for Leadership & Coaching and the Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary in Lviv to request the adaptation of one of our existing courses. We worked together to contextualise and translate our Teaching for Transformation course to make it more accessible for their participants.

Here, Yullia and Sasha - Oleksandr Oryshchyn, director of the Institute of Leadership Management and Coaching - share their reflections on the experience, highlighting the smooth organisation of the course and the support from IBTS facilitators Matt and Sara throughout the online sessions.

From thoughtful questions and listening to their experiences, to creating space for meaningful learning, the course was a valuable experience for the group, and one they hope can lead to further collaboration and learning together.

Looking for training or a course that could work for your organisation? If you have questions about translation or other services IBTS can offer, get in touch with the tem to discuss how we could support you.

09/10/2026

Lectio Divina and Art – Autumn Workshop.

What happens when prayer meets creativity?

This 4-week workshop combines Lectio Divina with art-making, inviting you to slow down, listen and reflect on God’s Word before responding through creative expression.

Explore Scripture through contemplation and creativity, giving space for reflection, questions and deeper engagement with your faith.

Starts: 3 November 2026
4 weeks | Online

Group discounts available - see the second image for details.

Sign up now - https://www.ibts.eu/programmes/lectio-divina-art-workshop-2026-autumn

08/10/2026

IBTS at EBF Council

Many of you will know that the last week of September took a number of the IBTS community to Durrës, Albania, for the annual European Baptist Federation Council.

It was a rich week of worship, conversations, friendship, and partnership-building. Our staff, Board members, collaborators, apprentices, and friends had the opportunity to connect with Baptist leaders and unions from across the region and to share more about what God is doing through IBTS.

This Council also marked a number of important milestones for us, including continuing Board renewal (Henk Bakker has been elected as a new Chair!) and the launch of the new cohort in the IBTS Apprenticeship Programme, developed by IBTS and delivered this year in partnership with the EBF.

Thank you to everyone who made the week so meaningful. We are returning encouraged, grateful, and looking forward to the next chapter.

07/10/2026

Darrell Jackson reflects on his long-standing connection to IBTS, which began in the early 1990s in Prague, Czech Republic.

He shares memories of those early days, when he led a small team of young people working on the new building that the European Baptist Federation had purchased, and how his involvement with IBTS has developed over the years through teaching and research.

Darrell also reflects on how the work of IBTS students and colleagues is gaining increasing recognition internationally, including through academic publishing.

06/10/2026

Teaching for Transformation | 5-Week Online Course

How can we move beyond simply delivering content and create learning that lasts?

This 5-week blended online course is designed for trainers and educators from any field who want to apply a earning-centred approach to their teaching.

You’ll explore practical tools to:

-Design training that actively engages learners
- Use the 4-A Learning Process: Engage, Analyse, Apply, Assess
-Apply the practical theology cycle to reflection and teaching
-Facilitate intercultural learning experiences
-Develop your own training with mentoring from experienced tutors

Online materials available in English and translatable into different languages

Want to find out more? Join our free introductory webinar on 7 October at 19:00 CEST to learn more about the course and its learning-centred approach.

Course starts: 4 November 2026
Online | 5 weeks
Approximately 3 hours per week

Group discounts are available.

Sign up for the free webinar or the course today - link in bio.

01/10/2026

Meet the Researchers | Darrell Jackson

We recently welcomed Darrell Jackson, Principal of Whitley College in Australia, to the John Smyth Library for a few days of research.

In this first video, Darrell introduces himself and shares a little about himself and his work.

🎥 Stay tuned for the rest of the series, where we’ll hear more about his connection to IBTS, his experience at the John Smyth Library, and why he would recommend IBTS to other researchers.

Adres

Postjesweg 150
Amsterdam
1061AX

Telefoon

+31202103025

Website

http://ibts.eu/

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