Operational Distinctives
GOSPEL-FOCUSED
FIM supports missionaries in a variety of ministries. We believe that the primary task of missions is to proclaim the good news of salvation to people who need Christ. So whether you are an evangelist or church planter, or whether you serve in a Business as Missions, medical missions, Christian education or some other field, we will help you stay focused on proclaiming the gospel.
FLEXIBILITY
We offer flexibility – Freedom to obey God’s call. FIM’s flexibility allows missionaries to discern God’s leading in their lives. It further allows them to move quickly and decisively to seize opportunities for the cause of Christ.
FIM missionaries are part of a family. We’re large enough to provide the vital services that churches and missionaries need to thrive in their field of service. At the same time, as a mid-sized missionary agency, we function as a family. The Administrative Team and General Director are accessible and available and have a personal relationship with each missionary. These relationships are established through visits on the field, in the home office and through in-depth communication. We respond quickly to emails and phone calls from those inquiring about missions. We invite you to discover the joy of being part of a missionary family!
ACCOUNTABILITY
We facilitate accountability – Godly counsel and oversight. FIM holds its missionaries accountable on the basis of a detailed Ministry Plan endorsed by their Key Accountability Partner (KAP) church (sometimes known as the “sending church”). Following a New Testament model, we place a high value on interaction with each missionary’s KAP church as the progress of the ministry requires it.
INTEGRITY
We value integrity – Life and service by God’s principles. FIM screens for missionaries who possess biblical integrity. Missionaries who possess this quality can be trusted to follow God’s leading and act on it responsibly.
Doctrinal Distinctives
ETERNAL SECURITY
We believe that, once genuinely saved, believers are secure in Christ forever.
SPIRITUAL GIFTS
God empowers his children for ministry through spiritual gifts distributed by the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 4:10-11; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; Ephesians 4:11-16). We believe that the gifts of faith, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, administration, and mercy are functional in the Church today, and that God hears and answers prayer for the sick and afflicted in accordance with his own will. However, sign gifts such as prophecy, speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, healing, special wisdom and knowledge on a par with Scripture gradually ceased as the New Testament Scriptures were completed and their authority became established. FIM’s view of the spiritual gifts could be characterized as “cessationist.”
DISPENSATIONALISM
We believe the Scriptures interpreted in their natural, literal sense reveal divinely determined dispensations or rules of life which define man’s responsibilities in each age.
We believe that Christ will come before the seven-year tribulation to take believers of the church age to heaven. This is commonly called the pretribulational, pre-millennial rapture. After the completion of the tribulation, Christ will return to earth with the saints to establish a literal 1000 year reign, commonly called the Millennium.
DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE
We believe that God has set high standards for those who lead the church. An application from a person who has been divorced, but has not remarried, will be considered by the Board of Directors on a case-by-case basis.