*** UPDATE 4/22/2020 ***
[excerpted]

In response to the COVID-19, pandemic, the Executive Officers and the Board of Presbyters have made the following decisions:

The 88th Annual IAFB Convention: Scheduled for July 15-18, 2020, at Bethany Christian Center, in Stockton, CA, has been postponed, until October 1-3, 2020.

Should health and safety concerns still exist in the following months and the need to cancel the Convention is necessary, contingency plans are in place to hold the state required Assembly business meeting online and to submit a motion to suspend the elections for one year and retain current officers, if needed.

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Brethren,

Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus and Happy New Year! This year is off and running and we’re already in the month of February. This reminds me that we are now in convention mode and our leadership is making preparations with much prayer and fervency.

In recent years, the Body of Christ has sadly witnessed a number of prominent spiritual leaders stray away and succumb to this worldly culture, especially those whom we have supported from afar. This deceiving spirit has preyed on the mainstream faith organizations and struck a divisive chord so that many have been persuaded to leave their lifelong doctrines and teachings. The Lord even warns us in the gospel of Matthew,

“And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!”

We should not be surprised by what is happening within our faith communities for the Bible admonishes the Church:

“we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine…”.

Our forefathers left us a rich legacy to carry on and fight the good fight of faith. Each generation endures the challenges of the culture; fending off any heretical teaching from “wolves” within our locals, society’s influences on the gospel, and the government legislating and prohibiting God’s truth. Yet our God is faithful, we have persevered, we carry on, and we will continue to stand “UNSHAKABLE”!

This convention will give us the opportunity to instill and reinforce our teachings. Join me in prayer as this exciting event draws near and we seek the Lord’s wisdom, ask Him to guard our hearts and protect our beloved organization from the deceptive schemes of this world. May our precious Lord bless you all.

Gratefully in His service,

Rev. Benjamin Refuerzo
IAFB General Superintendent