BCI History: Organization
- Nov 21, 1992
- Series: 10th Anniversary
The new church was unanimously named Bible Church International. The chosen name proclaims the founding father’s belief that the BIBLE is the inerrant Word of God to man; that the CHURCH is a body of believers headed by the Lord Jesus; and that INTERNATIONAL represents the embodiment of their vision, which is the fulfillment of the Great Commission based on Matthew 28:18-20. A Church Board was established and officers with administrative functions were elected in mid-December 1982. Along with the Pastor, the Assisting Ministers and Chairpersons of various Committees overseeing specific ministries were also represented in the Board. Rev. Prieto led BCI, as it is fondly called, in affiliating and cooperating with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) before the end of 1982. As a result, Madison Baptist Church in Madison, New Jersey, under the Pastoral Leadership of Dr. Wallace Williams, sponsored BCI as its daughter church. Hence, the first Filipino Southern Baptist church in the northeast.
On January 2, 1983, the Congregation approved the Articles of Faith, Constitution and By-laws. Over the years, amendments to the Constitution and By-laws had been made to meet the demands of the growing Congregation without compromising the Biblical principles after which they were written. The organizational structure was reorganized in 1987 and Church Council, which is composed of the Chairpersons from the Boards of different ministries, the Deacons and the Pastor, replaced the Church Board. However, the Church remained congregational. In addition to the Pastor, paid workers were also hired to perform vital services and they make up the Church Staff.
On February 16, 1983, Bible Church International was incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey. Prior to its third anniversary in 1985, BCI became independent from its mother church and changed status from a chapel to a constituted church.