Vision & Purpose

Fulfilling the Vision Back to the Future!

For over forty years our Fellowship has followed the vision of Gordon Lindsay and the men who established this great Fellowship. We celebrated that fortieth anniversary in our International Convention in 2002. Truly the vision was inspired by God and has kept us focused and inspired for these many years. Prov. 29:18 The New American Bible without prophecy the people become demoralized…”   This vision has provided the parameters for who we are, and what we do, past, present and future. The Constitution by which we are governed spells out the vision very clearly.

The Lord has honored the faith and commitment of both the leaders and the members, and has truly brought us this far by faith. We are poised for our greatest days of growth and ministry.  With our beautiful headquarters building, and outstanding office staff, the needs of our membership are better facilitated than ever before.  Our National and International Regions are led by anointed men and women. Our Executive and International Boards work harmoniously together to provide cohesive leadership.   Best of all the blessing of the Lord rests upon us in a precious way.

We are very grateful for the lives and ministries of those who have gone before us. They, as David, served their generation by the will of God. They kept the vision alive for all of us. May God help all of us to serve our generation by the will of God, and keep the vision alive and vital for those who will follow us, or until Jesus comes.

Full Gospel Fellowship of Churches & Ministers International Was Born

It was in 1948 that The Voice of Healing was formed by Gordon Lindsay and Jack Moore, and later T. L. Osborn, Jack Coe, Richard Vineyard, F. F. Bosworth, Kenneth Hagin, Gayle Jackson, Raymond T. Richie, W. V. Grant, Louise Nankeville and others. So powerful was this healing revival that soon approximately 100 evangelists formed a fellowship electing Gordon as president.

It was when pastors, missionaries, evangelists, teachers and churches – some who had left their denominations to become Full Gospel – urged for a linkage with those of like-precious-faith, that the need for a fellowship was spawned. it became very evident that all these leaders needed to plan and work together to become a strong force to reap the whitened harvest.

So Gordon called a meeting for a two-day conference, held September 18 & 19, 1962 at the Baker Hotel in Dallas for interested ministers. Plans were laid and the Full Gospel Fellowship of Churches & Ministers International was born. Temporary officers were elected to serve until the great National Convention in latter part of June of 1963. John Mears President, J.C. Hibbard Vice-President, Gordon Lindsay Secretary-Treasurer, W. A. Raiford Executive Secretary. June 28, 1963, A. C. Valdez was elected president. On June 16, 1964, the second FGFCMT convention was held in Plankinton Hotel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The years since, God has continued to use this Full Gospel Fellowship of Churches & Ministers International organization to bless ministers and ministries all over the world. Strong leadership has been raised up, and accountability, so essential to stability in every life, has been offered. Now a minister looking for those of like-precious- faith can find it in The Fellowship-no longer thinking that “I am the only one still serving God.”
Mrs. Gordon (Freda) Lindsay
Co-founder
Christ For The Nations

THE FELLOWSHIP’S POSITION ON LICENSING AND ORDINATION OF MINISTERS

The Fellowship does not license or ordain ministers, but recognizes such ministerial status.  The Fellowship believes it is the function of the local Church, Bible College, Seminary, etc. to perform such ceremonies.  If you wish to obtain such Ministerial Status, you need to approach your local Pastor, local Church, Seminary, Bible College, or a Pastor/Church that knows of you and ask about their procedures and requirements.  Many times these services are done in an office or in a special Church Service. (NOTE: You may be required to serve “internship”).  The Fellowship urges Pastors and Churches to use great wisdom in matters of Licensing or Ordination, as the Ministry is a most solemn calling.

The Fellowship issues a certificate to the Ministerial members recognizing their status and showing when their Licensing or Ordination was conferred.  All members also receive a wallet-sized identification card verifying their ministerial status.  These items show that you as a minister are recognized by and are in affiliation with an organization that has National and International scope.  If you plan to minister to those in prisons, hospitals, or other institutions, this recognition by a recognized organization is helpful in gaining admittance and oftentimes necessary.

License-Ordination & Exhorters (Christian Workers)

We recognize three levels of Ministry:

(1) Christian Workers sometimes called Exhorters;
(2) those who have been Licensed;
(3) those who have been Ordained (Ordination).

Exhorter (Christian Workers or Gospel Workers): An Exhorter is a person who is recognized as a beginner in the ministry.  The person may have the call of God upon their life, but have very little religious training, experience, and/or theological education.  Many of those who are beginners or “Exhorters” will enroll in a correspondence course if they are unable to attend a Bible School or Bible College.  Many times the Pastor of the Church recognizes the Call of God upon their lives and begins to instruct them in both theology and in the practical areas of leadership.  The Pastor also may use that person in some areas of leadership, teaching or ministry in the local Church.

Licensed: A person who receives a License to Preach has been recognized by the Church and Pastors as an individual with the Call of God upon their lives, has leadership ability and some theological training and experience.  Most of the time, this person will have completed some theological training (correspondence or Bible School) and will recognize his/her need for continual teaching, training and experience.   If this person is truly called of God, they will apply themselves to study and prepare for the ministry that God has called them to. A person’s ministry will always make room for him/her. Many states will not allow a Licensed Minister to perform weddings or to minister the sacraments of the Church unless the Licensed Ministers is serving as a pastor of a Church.

Licensed or Ordained – in many states you have to register in the county or state to be approved to perform weddings.

Ordained: Being an Ordained Minister is the highest calling that a person can have. An Ordained Minister is one who has a Call of God upon their lives and the Church, the Pastor and other Ministers recognize his/her training, experience and leadership ability.  An Ordained Minister is one who has studied, and prepared himself or herself well either through formal training and education, or through training and working side by side with a pastor. It is recommended that a person serve at least one year as a Licensed Minister before being Ordained, giving time for that additional study, training and experience.  As an Ordained Minister, he/she carries the full and highest level of authority to minister all of the sacraments of the Church, including communion, weddings, etc.   This is not only a recognition by the Church, but by other Church Organizations and by the State and Federal government.