Rev. and Mrs. John E. Jackson obeyed the Lord’s call for them to go to the Philippines after working in China for sometime. The initial plan was to reach out to the Chinese community in Davao City but God had widened their missionary territory by including the Filipino community as well.
Their pioneering work gave birth to the first Baptist Church in Mindanao. On July 15, 1951, the first worship service was held at the Jackson’s residence at Tomas Claudio Street. Separate worship services were held for the Chinese and Filipino congregations. Later, they moved to a rented building at Legaspi Street.
On September 14, 1952, the members of the budding Southern Baptist Church held their first organizational meeting with Rev. J.E. Jackson as pastor. However, it was only on October 5, 1952 that the Immanuel Baptist Church (IBC) was adopted.
Less than a year later, God provided the lot at Jacinto-Mapa Streets. The IBC building, which was constructed with the assistance of the Southern Baptist Churches in the United States, was dedicated during her first worship service on September 1953.
The Chinese group later organized into what is now known as Chinese Baptist Church. It is located at Guerrero Street in front of San Pedro College.
The pioneering members of IBC were:
Mr. & Mrs. Liberato Bantug
Mrs. Priscilla Molinos and children
Mr. & Mrs. Cresencia Onggao
Mr. & Mrs. Vicente Onggao
Mr. & Mrs. Eduardo Fortuna, Sr.
Mr. & Mrs. Alfonso Olorosisimo
Mr. & Mrs. Severo Beciera
Mrs. Benedicta Pacificar
Mr. & Mrs. Magdaleno Caballero
Mr. & Mrs. Ignacio Dinapo
Miss Alice Padernal
Miss Angelina Java
Soon members started planting churches in various areas of Davao City. Among which were:
Bunawan Baptist Church
Zion Baptist Church
Matina Baptist Church
Redeemed Baptist Church
Gen. Roxas Baptist Church
Caridad Baptist Church
Amazing Grace Baptist Church
Pampanga Christian Community
Sasa Baptist Church
Cogon Baptist Church
First Buhangin Baptist Church
Hope Baptist Church
Canaan Baptist Church
Indangan Baptist Church
The following became pastors of IBC through the years:
Rev. John E. Jackson 1952 – 1953
Rev. Bill Solesbee 1953 – 1956
Rev. Abraham Paler 1956 – 1957
Rev. Eliseo Sarcos 1957 – 1958
Rev. Bill Solesbee 1958 – 1961
Rev. Zacarias Dayot 1961 – 1964
Rev. Rolando Raganas 1964 – 1968
Chief Deacon Celso Navales 1968 – 1969
Rev. Leslie Hill (Interim) 1969 (Jan-March)
Chief Deacon Celso Navales 1969 – 1970
Rev. Angelino Alfaras 1970 – 1976
Rev. Romeo Jardinel 1976 – 1980
Rev. Arturo Pabellon (Interim) 1980 – 1981
Dr. Zacarias Dayot 1981 – 1986
Rev. Jesus Misa 1986 – 1980
Dr. Karl Babb (Interim) 1988
Dr. Donald Jones (Interim) 1988 – 1989
Rev. Arnel Tan 1989 – 1993
Rev. Manuel Ojoylan (Interim) 1993 – 1995
Rev. Arturo Pabellon 1995 – 2000
Rev. Lucivar Laurico 2001 – 2004
Rev. Patrick San 2004 – 2012
Rev. Rolando Raganas 2012 – 2013
Rev. Resurreccion Arcenas (Associate Pastor) 2016 – present
Ptr. John Gacasan (Senior Pastor) 2016 – present