The Fellowship (FGFCMI)
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The Fellowship (FGFCMI), also known as the Full Gospel Fellowship of Churches and Ministers, International, is a fellowship of like-minded Charismatic churches and ministers.
In 1948, evangelists Gordon Lindsay and Jack Moore formed The Voice of Healing, a traveling healing revival. The results and effects of this ministry led about 100 evangelists to band together in a fellowship, of which Lindsay was selected president. Lindsay called for a conference in Dallas, Texas in September of 1962. Plans were laid for the Full Gospel Fellowship of Churches and Ministers International, temporary officers were elected, and a national convention set for June 1963. In the summer of 1963, the first Full Gospel Fellowship of Churches & Ministers International convention was held, and A. C. Valdez was elected president.
The implication of the terminology Full Gospel is that many mainline denominations leave out parts of the gospel - such as miracles, speaking in tongues, divine healing, etc. - while the Full Gospel maintains it in its entirety and for every aspect of the individual.
Though its full constitutional name is still the Full Gospel Fellowship of Churches & Ministers International, its shortened name for common use is The Fellowship. The Fellowship maintains offices in Irving, Texas. In 1998 almost 900 churches were participating, representing about 275,000 individuals.
External link
- Official Web Site (http://www.fgfcmi.org/water/default.asp?x=1&DID=1030)
Reference
- Handbook of Denominations in the United States, by Frank S. Mead, Samuel S. Hill, and Craig D. Atwood