On November 12, 1995, Dr. John Merritt, General Secretary of the European Baptist Convention, came to Sofia to lead the IBCS to achieve constitution. Pastor James Duke reviewed the history of the church. The Church Covenant and Articles of Faith and Constitution were read to the congregation. A motion to constitute the International Baptist Church Sofia, based on these documents, was made and unanimously approved.

The European Baptist Convention selected IBCS to receive the 1996 Together We Build Offering. These funds, plus other special donations, were used to make the down payment on an apartment for use as a parsonage.

First Baptist Church, Cabot, Arkansas, brought a team to Bulgaria in April 1997. They helped restore the auditorium of the Sofia Baptist Church, shared their testimonies with the IBCS, and were able to experience exciting worship in some of the National Baptist churches. Many lives were touched by this partnership and we are expecting more partnerships to develop in the days and months ahead.

In June 1997, with the help of the Together We Build offering from the European Baptist Convention, support from The Heights Baptist Church (formerly called Richardson Heights), Richardson, Texas and help from many others, the apartment was bought. The apartment is the IBCS's first permanent structure in Bulgaria and was purchased in the name of the Bulgarian Baptist Union.

On May 25, 1997, the IBCS congregation elected our first four deacons - two Bulgarians and two Africans. Harold Stephens counseled with them to teach them their responsibilities. Pastor Darrell Grice presided over the ordination service.

On November 30, 2000, the IBCS received registration from the Sofia mayor's office and is registered under the Bulgarian Baptist Union as a registered Church. This is a strategic milestone in the history of the IBCS as this is the first time the IBCS has been officially recognized by the Bulgarian authoritie.