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ABUNDANT LIFE MISSIONS INTERNATIONAL
Mission Statement
Abundant Life Missions
International (ALMI) is a non-profit organization founded upon these two
scriptural principles:
1. WE PURPOSE TO FULFILL THE
GREAT COMMISSION
Mark 16:15
And
he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature. 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he
that believeth not shall be damned. 17And these signs shall follow
them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with
new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any
deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they
shall recover.
2. WE PROPOSE TO NETWORK
WITH, AND ASSIST, BELIEVERS
Acts
11:29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to
send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: 30Which also
they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
Organizational Structure
1. CHURCH AFFILIATION
Abundant Life Missions International is a strategic mission arm of the Abundant
Life Tabernacle, and is headquartered in Germantown, Ohio, USA.
2. INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORS
The
International Directors of the Abundant Life Missions International are James
A. Setser and Harry F. Greaves. The International Directors shall:
a. Serve
as the final decision makers in any and all policies, personnel, and financial
decisions
b. Provide instruction through teaching and preaching
c. Conduct the yearly National Convention and any subsequent seminars
as needed
d.
Procure funds, as the Lord allows, to buy property, build churches, and assist
in the operation of ALMI
e.
Provide a network with the National Board and members to effectively carry out
the stated mission.
3. NATIONAL DIRECTOR
The
National Director shall be the moderator and facilitator for the National
Board. The National Director will work directly with the International
Directors and represent them in all matters. All members shall be responsible
to the National Director. The National Director shall be appointed by the
International Directors. The term shall be for one (1) year.
4. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
The
Associate Director shall serve under the National Director as his assistant. The
Associate Director shall be appointed by the International Directors. The term
of the Associate Director shall be (1) year. In the event the National Director
becomes unable to perform his duties, the Associate Director does not assume the
National Director position.
5. NATIONAL SECRETARY
The
National Secretary shall keep all records of the National Board of Directors and
their business. The first National Secretary shall be appointed by the
International Directors. Subsequently, the National Secretary shall be elected
by the official members at the Annual Business Meeting held each year during the
National Convention.
6. NATIONAL TREASURER
The
National Treasurer shall be responsible for the keeping and accounting of funds
of the National Board and organization. All funds shall be duly recorded and
kept in a local bank. All disbursements shall require the signature of the
National Director and the National Treasurer. The first National Treasurer
shall be appointed by the International Directors. Subsequently, the National
Treasurer shall be elected by the official members at the Annual Business
Meeting held each year during the National Convention.
7. DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENTS
District superintendents shall be the direct overseers of every minister in
their local districts, and shall be responsible to give the reports of
ministries, churches, projects, and funds in said districts. District
Superintendents shall be elected by the official members at the Annual Business
Meeting held during the National Convention. Districts shall be designated by
the International Directors.
7. AUXILIARY DEPARTMENTS AND
OFFICERS
Auxiliary departments and officers may be created to fill ministry needs and
functions. Their directors may be appointed by the International Directors or
elected at the Annual Business Meeting. The creation of the departments and the
method of filling the offices shall be at the discretion of the International
Directors.
8. NATIONAL BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
The
National Board of Directors shall be made up of the National Director, Associate
Director, National Secretary, National Treasurer, District Superintendents, and
any Auxiliary Department Leaders appointed to serve as such by the International
Directors.
9. NATIONAL ELECTION
The
National Election shall be held each year at the National Convention. No other
election may be called by anyone other than the International Directors, and
then only with a (1) one month advance notice to all of the membership.
Membership
1.
Membership in the Abundant Life Missions International
shall be extended to those completing the ALMI application, who walk according
to the doctrinal statement of faith and remain in good harmony and cooperation
with the International and National Directors.
2.
The applications are to be dealt with in this manner:
Upon receipt of an application, the National Director shall examine the
application as to it meeting the requirements of this organization. If the
applicant meets the criteria in the application, the National Director shall
invite the applicant to the next scheduled business meeting of the National
Board of Directors. At this time the Board of Directors shall examine the
applicant(s). The National Director shall then ask the Board of Directors to
vote on recommending the applicant for credentials. A two thirds vote is needed
for recommendation. All recommendations from the National Board for acceptance
or invalidation of credentials must be approved by the International Directors.
The International Directors are not bound by the recommendations of the National
Board of Directors, but have the authority to approve or invalidate minister
credentials based on their independent evaluation of each minister.
3.
Ministers who walk disorderly or become involved in teaching false doctrine or
other questionable conduct, shall stand trial conducted by the Executive
committee and the council of ministers as designated by the National Director.
Upon being found guilty of charges the erring minister shall surrender his
credentials. A report of any such action shall be given to all ministers of the
Association.
4.
All ministers shall tithe of their income and all ALMI churches shall teach
tithing of their membership. Any minister not tithing will be corrected by the
District Superintendent. Should they not then tithe of their income to the
organization the District Superintendent shall bring the minister before the
National Board for correction. Should the minister continue to walk in
disobedience to the Word of God and not tithe, the National Board shall
recommend to the International Directors that the minister’s credentials be
invalidated.
5.
All ministers and their churches shall be actively
engaged in the support of world-wide evangelization or missions.
Organizational Property
All
properties purchased with ALMI funds shall belong to the organization.
Minister’s who shall depart (voluntarily or otherwise) shall relinquish all
properties whether parsonage, church, or other facilities owned by ALMI within
thirty (30) days of their resignation or removal. Any church body, who for
whatever reason, whether voluntarily or otherwise, shall leave the ALMI, shall
remove themselves from ALMI owned property within thirty days of their departure
or written request by the International Directors or their representative.
Doctrinal Statement
1. The Scriptures Inspired
The Bible is the inspired Word of
God, a revelation from God to men. It is the infallible rule of faith and
conduct, and is superior to conscience and reason, but not contrary to reason
(II Timothy 3:15, 16; I Peter 2:2.)
2. The One True God
The One True God has revealed
himself as the eternally self- existent, self-revealed "I AM"; and has further
revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association,
i.e., as Father, Son and Holy Ghost (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29; Isaiah 43:10,
11; Matthew 28:19.)
3. Man, His Fall and
Redemption
Man was created good and upright
-- for God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." But man by
voluntary transgression fell, and his only hope of redemption is in Jesus
Christ, the Son of God. (Genesis 1:26 - 31; 3:1 - 7; Romans 5:12 – 21.)
4. The Salvation of Man
(i)
Conditions to Salvation.
The
Grace of God, which bringeth salvation, hath appeared to all men through the
preaching of repentance toward God and Faith toward the Lord Jesus
Christ. Man is saved by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy
Ghost, and being justified by grace through faith, he becomes an heir of
God according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 2:11; Romans 10:13 - 15;
Luke 24:47; Titus 3:5 – 7.)
(ii)
The Evidences of Salvation.
The inward
evidence to the believer of his salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit
(Romans 8:16); the outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and
true holiness.
5. Baptism in Water
The ordinance of baptism by
burial with Christ should be observed as commanded in the
Scriptures by all who have really
repented and truly believed on Christ as Saviour and Lord. In so doing, they
have the body washed in pure water as an outward symbol of cleansing, while
their heart has already been sprinkled with the blood of Christ as an inner
cleansing. Thus, they declare to the world that they have died with Jesus and
that they have also been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. (Matthew
28:19; Acts 10:47, 48; Romans 6:4; Acts 20:21; Hebrews 10:22).
6. The Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper, consisting of
the elements, bread and fruit of the vine, is the symbol
expressing our sharing the divine
nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (II Peter 1:4); a memorial of His suffering and
death (I Corinthians 11 :26); and a prophecy of His coming (I Corinthians 11
:26); and is enjoined on all believers "until He comes".
7. The Promise of the Father
All believers are entitled to,
should ardently expect and earnestly seek, the promise of the Father, the
Baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire, according to the command of the Lord Jesus
Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church.
With it comes the endowment of power for life and service, the bestowment of the
Gifts or manifestations and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:49;
Acts 1:4; I Corinthians 12:1 - 31). This wonderful experience is distinct from
and subsequent to the experience of the new birth (Acts 10:44 - 46; 11:14 - 16;
15:7 - 9).
8. The Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost
The Baptism of the believers in
the Holy Ghost is witnessed by the physical sign of speaking with other tongues
as the Spirit of God gives utterance (Acts 2:4). The speaking in tongues in this
instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues (I Corinthians 12:4, 10,
28), but different in purpose and use.
9. Entire and Progressive
Sanctification
The Scriptures teach a life of
Holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. By the power of the Holy Ghost
we are able to obey the command, “Be ye Holy, for I am Holy.” Sanctification is
the will of God for all believers, and should be earnestly pursued by walking in
obedience to God's Word (Hebrews 12:14; I Peter 1:15,16; I Thessalonians
5:23,24; I John 2:6).
10. The Church
The Church is the body of Christ,
the habitation of God through the spirit, with divine appointments for the
fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an
integral part of the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn, which are
written in Heaven (Ephesians 1:22,23; 2:22; Hebrews 12:23).
11. The Ministry and
Evangelism
A divinely called and
scripturally ordained ministry has been Provided by our Lord for a two-fold
purpose: (1) the evangelization of the world, and (2) the edifying of the body
of Christ (Mark 16:15 - 20; Ephesians 4:11 – 13.
12. Divine Healing
Deliverance from sickness is
provided for in the atonement, and is the privilege of all believers (Isaiah
53:4; Matthew 8:16,17).
13. The Second Coming or
Blessed Hope
The resurrection of those who
have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation, together
with those who are alive and
remain unto the coming of the Lord, is the blessed hope of the Church (I
Thessalonians 4:16 - 18; Romans 8:23; Titus 2:13, Corinthians 15:51, 52;
Revelation 11:15).
14. The Millennial Reign of
Jesus
The revelation of the Lord Jesus
Christ from Heaven, the Salvation of national Israel, and the millennial reign
of Christ on the earth is a Scriptural promise and the world's hope (II
Thessalonians 1:7; Revelation 19:11 - 14; Romans 11:26, 27; Revelation 20:1 -
7).
15. The Lake of Fire
The devil and his angels, the
beast and the false prophet, and whosoever is not found written in the Book of
Life, shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth
with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Revelation 19:20;
Revelation 21:22.)
16. The New Heavens and New
Earth
We, "according to His promise,
look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness" (II Peter
3:13; Revelation 21:22.)
17. Tithing
The scriptural principle of
tithing, which was used by Abraham before the law was given (Hebrews 7:9, 10),
is still the Lord's plan for ensuring the church's physical needs are met and
His children are blessed (Malachi 3:10; Matthew 23:23).
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