A Case of Faith Ministries

A Case of Faith Ministries

HISTORY & INTRODUCTION

ACOFM obtained its federal incorporation and registered charitable status in Canada in 1998.  However, the operation of its ministry began in 1985 through its founders, Dr. Kees and Rev. Faith Tengnagel, in their apostolic calling with the establishment of the first church in New York State.

As other churches were pioneered in Ontario, ministerial credentials needed to be obtained for the ministers and it also became evident a corporate and spiritual covering was lacking for these ministers.  Additionally, a venue for ongoing training, development of ministers, fellowship and the formulation of positive, long-lasting relationships among ministers was also absent.  Other ministerial organizations in Canada were sought out to fill this void.  However, in the process of time, their intents and vision would change leaving the ministers of the churches pioneered by the Tengnagels in an unacceptable position of having to alter, amend or compromise their scriptural beliefs and/or God-given vision in order to remain in fellowship with the organization.

Incidental to their experience in pioneering new churches came numerous connections with other pastors and ministers looking to start their own church or itinerant ministry.  They too expressed similar experiences with other organizations, citing their opinion of the need of a ministerial organization that would be consistent in their intents and vision and in the development of ministers and the promotion of relationships with their peers.

Hence, ACOFM was formed:

  • to pioneer new churches and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Canada and abroad
  • to provide an appropriate corporate and spiritual covering for the ministers of the churches pioneered and for other pastors of churches or itinerant ministers who may choose to associate themselves with ACOFM
  • to provide a venue for ministers throughout Ontario for ongoing training, development, fellowship and the formulation of positive, long-lasting relationships among peers
  • to help establish ministers in their God-given ministry, promote, facilitate and accommodate fellowship and accountability among ministers of like precious faith, license or ordain qualified ministerial candidates, govern its members, assist churches in locating pastors and other qualified personnel and provide information and counsel in various areas of organization such as non-profit law, finances, reporting and administration

ACOFM is not a denomination.  It recognizes the autonomy of the local church or other para-church ministry, such church or para-church ministry being defined as self-governing, self-propagating and self-supporting.  It is understood that each church or para-church ministry is operated by its own board of directors or board of trustees.  Together with other officers and/or appointed leadership, they are responsible for the operation of that church or para-church ministry and have total freedom to pursue the God-given vision for their ministry.

It is, therefore, the policy of ACOFM to protect that autonomy.  Each board of directors or board of trustees, officers and any appointed leadership shall bear full and sole responsibility for the operation of their church or para-church ministry.

In addition to pioneering new churches in Canada and the U.S. itself and the oversight of those churches, ACOFM has been instrumental in assisting other pastors and missionaries in starting their churches and missions ministries.  In fact, ACOFM has been contacted by pastors and ministers as far away as Europe and Africa requesting help to start a new church or ministry in North America.  ACOFM has also assisted other pastors and ministers with their existing churches and ministries. 

As part of its divine mandate, ACOFM ministers in local churches with emphasis on subjects such as biblical faith, divine healing, prayer, Holy Spirit and matters pertaining to and of the Holy Spirit and marriage seminars.

MEMBERSHIP

Application

Any person desiring to become a member of ACOFM to receive licensing or ordination shall submit a signed application, together with any supporting documentation and applicable fee, in a form and manner prescribed by ACOFM. To obtain an application, please call Dr. Kees at 705-794-2217.

Qualifications

Every applicant must demonstrate clear evidence to the satisfaction of the ministerial membership committee that he/she is called to at least one of the ministry offices as identified in Ephesians 4:11 and 1 Corinthians 12:28.

In addition, the Bible establishes the spiritual and moral qualifications of the ministry office.  The minister is:

  • to be blameless (1 Timothy 3:2)
  • to be temperate (1 Timothy 3:2)
  • to be sober (1 Timothy 3:2)
  • to be of good behaviour (1 Timothy 3:2)
  • not to be given to wine (1 Timothy 3:3)
  • not to be a striker (1 Timothy 3:3)
  • not to be greedy of money (1 Timothy 3:3)
  • not to be a brawler (1 Timothy 3:3)
  • not to be covetous (1 Timothy 3:3)
  • to be a lover of good (Titus 1:8)

The minister should generally, except in the case of pioneering a new church, derive a reasonable amount of his/her income from his/her ministry duties.

Fees & Annual Dues

Currently, these fees are as follows:

Application Fee:  $25.00        Annual Membership Fee:  $50.00 per annum

MINISTERIAL CREDENTIALS

There shall be two (2) classifications of ministerial credentials with ACOFM — licensed and ordained.

License

The ministerial membership committee, in its sole and unanimous discretion, may license a person as a minister of the Gospel after first examining the applicant’s background, experience, formal training and moral and religious character.

Licensing is generally for ministers with no or little previous experience and those under the age of twenty-five (25) years.

Once a person has been licensed for a minimum one (1) year period, he/she shall become eligible for ordination, provided he/she has attained the age of twenty-five (25) years.

Ordination

The ministerial membership committee, in its sole and unanimous discretion, may waive the one (1) year licensing period and ordain a person as a minister of the Gospel after first examining the applicant’s background, experience, formal training and moral and spiritual character, provided the applicant’s is at least twenty-five (25) years of age.

Additional detailed information is provided on the ACOFM Ministerial Handbook page.