Our Story
A Legacy of Blessings Through the Ages
In The Beginning
International Bethany Community Church (IBC Church) Washington DC was inaugurated by the Global Pastor of GBI Gatot Subroto, Jakarta, Pastor Niko Njotorahardjo on May 17, 1997. It is the first GBI Gatot Subroto church in the United States. At the same time, Pastor Raymond Pranoto was ordained as senior pastor of IBC Church Washington DC.
IBC Church Washington DC is GBI Gatot Subroto's District 51, which includes churches in the United States as well as in other nations, namely India, Sri Lanka, and Japan.
First Era
In its first 20 years of journey, during the first 10 years, IBC received a special calling/vision from God, which is Isaiah 54:2-3. In this vision, the church was called to spread its wings to the right and to the left, by planting churches in various cities across the United States.
In the second decade, IBC received a new special calling/vision from God, which is Isaiah 49:6. In this vision, the church was called to become a light not only for America but also for the nations. God even gave a specific verse from Zechariah 8:23, stating that IBC would bless 10 nations. To support this vision, in 2012, the DC Prayer Tower, which previously operated only once a week, began operating daily.
Towards the end of the second decade, with the help of the Holy Spirit, IBC blessed 10 nations, namely the United States, India, Sri Lanka, Japan, Australia, Israel, Mozambique, Nepal, the Philippines, and Latin America.
Second Era
After fully carrying out God's vision for 20 years, IBC entered a new era/second era in 2018, as it turned 21 years old. In this new era, IBC received a special calling/vision from God, which is Isaiah 60. This vision states that the church will continue to bless nations with greater impact, and nations will come to the Lord in great numbers (Isaiah 60:3).
However, at the beginning of this era, the COVID-19 pandemic struck the world. Praise the Lord, with the help of the Holy Spirit, the vision of Isaiah 60 was still fulfilled. Through bilingual online services (in English and Indonesian), it was recorded that more than 30 nations participated in worship during the pandemic.
In 2021, together with the leadership team of Azusa Street Prayer Tower, namely Pastor Niko Njotorahardjo and Church of God, Pastor Raymond/IBC began establishing the Azusa Street Prayer Tower located in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, California. The building was finally opened in January 2024, and nations began to come to pray and bring the fire of the Third Pentecost to their respective countries.
Praise the Lord! IBC's journey is not yet over. In 2025, entering its 28th year, the vision of Isaiah 60 will continue to be the foundation in navigating this second era. The church will continue its calling to bless nations. To God be the glory!
