About Us
Who we are
The Tampa Bay International Christian Church is a non-denominational church that is part of the International Christian Churches and a member of the SoldOut Discipling Movement. We are a family of Christian churches whose members are committed to living their lives in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ as found in the Bible. We read and strive to abide by the entire Bible and hold it to be inspired and inerrant. We expect every member to be a disciple of Christ as defined in his teachings. The International Christian Churches were built on the revolutionary but Biblical conviction that every person must first make a decision to become a disciple and then be baptized. The Biblical Greek word for church is “ekklesia,” which means “the called out.” Today we are an international family of churches that is rapidly spreading to all nations around the world (see our Crown of Thorns Project). We have been called out from religious mediocrity, spiritual error, atheism and agnosticism–into a meaningful, vibrant relationship with God.
Our congregations reflect the diversity of the cities and nations where we have planted churches. Worldwide, people of all races, ages and cultures weekly attend our worship services. These services are true celebrations, for the life of a disciple of Christ is the most joyful one we know.
We invite you to come as you are as anyone is welcome. You will love the dynamic fellowship, awe-inspiring worship and singing, and hear a practical and powerful message from God’s word. We also host small-group “Bible Talks” around the Tampa Bay area. Please contact us if you have any further questions.
Jesus taught his disciples to not only make disciples, but also to meet the physical needs of people. We volunteer with MERCY Worldwide to meet the needs of people around us. One of Jesus’ final commands to his disciples was to go and make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:18-20).
As disciples of Christ, our lives are committed to bringing his church to every nation within this generation. In keeping with Biblical examples, we multiply our churches by sending out small groups of disciples to major metropolitan areas, where they then form new churches. Since every new member is a committed disciple, these new churches grow rapidly and are soon strong enough to send out other groups to plant more churches.
What we believe
Our Leadership
Whether you want to attend a Sunday service or midweek, do a personal Bible study, help with a volunteer opportunity or anything in between, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today. We will be happy to answer any of your questions. Thank you!
Core Values
The Soldout Movement
Distinguishing Core Convictions
What distinguishes the ICC from the ICOC?
One
We Are A Bible Church, Not Simply A New Testament Church
2 Timothy 3:14-17, 2 Peter 3:15-16
Technically speaking, the word “Scripture” in this passage refers to only the Old Testament. Now, through the inspiration of the Spirit, we believe that it applies to the New Testament as well.
Colossians 2:13-14
We believe the Old Testament applies to our lives – as much as the New Testament – except for the Mosaic Law and any teaching in the New Testament that supersedes the Old Testament.
Two
“Be Silent Where The Bible Speaks, And Speak Where The Bible Is Silent”
Genesis 2:19
In applying scriptural principles to build the visible church, we believe we must obey God’s Word, but where the Bible does not prohibit a practice or name, we are free to use our God-given creativity.
1 Corinthians 10:23
We are free to practice or name something as long as it does not contradict the Scriptures.
Three
Discipling Is A Command Of God And Not Optional
Matthew 28:19-20, Colossians 1:28-29, John 15:15
The dynamic in this relationship begins as a teacher/student relationship and then matures to a more peer/peer relationship.
2 Timothy 2:1-3
Discipling is teaching obedience to scripture and is detailed in the “one another” passages: “love one another,” “instruct one another,” “confess your sins to each other,” “pray for each other,” etc.
Four
A Central Leadership With A Central Leader
Numbers 27:12-23, Exodus 18:12-26, Judges 21:25, 1 Corinthians 4:15-17, Titus 1:5
Throughout God’s Word, when His people were unified, there was a strong central leadership and a godly central leader. (Examples: Moses, Joshua, David and of course Jesus and the Apostles.) Local congregations had an overseeing evangelist who unified the disciples “everywhere in every church.” In the first century, congregations were a collective movement – not autonomous, not self-governing.
Acts 15:19-24, Acts 21:24
In the New Testament, Jesus is the leader of “the Movement!” Uniquely, when He ascends to Heaven, Peter takes on this responsibility as “the apostle to the Jews,” since for the first seven years of Christianity only Jews became Christians. Interestingly, after Paul became “the apostle to the Gentiles,” the leadership of the movement by Acts 15 had passed to Jesus’ oldest half-brother James. At the Jerusalem Council, James, after listening to both sides of the circumcision issue, gives his singular authoritative “judgment,” which is then bound on all the churches.
Five
The Dream Of The Evangelization Of The Nations In THIS Generation
Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, Colossians 1:6 & 23, 1 Timothy 2:3-4
If the world was evangelized in the first century, we can certainly do it again in the twenty-first century! This will be accomplished through every disciple making disciples, and every disciple having discipling relationships.