Fellowship International Mission, Inc. / FIM
The information on this page was last updated 5/1/2023. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
We believe that missionaries are more likely to be successful when they have freedom to do what the Lord has called them to do. We offer cutting edge services and care, helping missionaries to thrive in their personal life and ministry.
We are a family of global servants who passionately share the Gospel in response to God's call.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Fellowship International Mission, Inc.
555 S. 24th Street
Allentown, PA 18104-6666
Website: fim.org
Phone: (610) 435-9099
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 236405291
CEO/President: Dr. Paul Barreca
Chairman:
Board size: 10
Founder: Irena Wenholz & Mary Mellinger
Ruling year: 1966
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1988
Purpose
We envision spiritually mature, reproducing disciples of Jesus among the nations.
Mission statement
We partner with believers and their churches through personalized ministries to accomplish the Great Commission.
Statement of faith
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the verbally inspired Word of God, inerrant in the original writings, infallible and God-breathed, the final authority for faith and life. (II Tim. 3:16,17; II Pet. 1:20,21; Mt. 5:18; Jn. 16:12,13)
THE GODHEAD
We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three Persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory and having the same attributes and perfections. (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; II Cor. 13:14)
THE PERSON AND WORK OF CHRIST
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God, and redeem sinful men, and forever continues true God and true man. (Jn. 1:1,2,14; Mt. 1:21; Lk. 1:35)
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, substitutionary sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. (Rom. 3:24,25;4:24,25; I Pet. 1:3-5;2:24; Eph. 1:7; I Cor. 15:3,4)
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate. (Acts 1:9,10; Heb. 1:3;9:24;7:25; Rom. 8:34; I Jn. 2:1,2)
THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a Person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and that He is the Supernatural Agent of regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption. (Jn. 16:8-11; II Cor. 3:6-8; I Cor. 12:12-14; Rom. 8:9; Eph. 1:13,14; I Cor. 6:19)
We believe that He is the Divine Teacher who guides believers into all truth; and, that it is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit. (Jn. 16:13; I Jn. 2:20,27; Eph. 5:18)
THE TOTAL DEPRAVITY OF MAN
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam's sin the race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; and, that man is totally depraved and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition. (Gen. 1:26,27; Rom. 3:22,23; 5:1,2; Eph. 2:1-3,12)
SALVATION
We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who shed His precious blood on Calvary and rose again that our sins might be forgiven, and that we might have eternal life. (Eph. 1:7;2:8-10; II Tim. 2:8; Jn. 1:12; I Pet. 1:18,19)
THE ETERNAL SECURITY AND ASSURANCE OF BELIEVERS
We believe that once saved, all the redeemed are kept by God's power and are thus secure in Christ forever. (Jn. 6:37-49;10:27-30; Rom. 8:1,38,39; I Cor. 1:4-8; I Pet. 1:5; II Tim. 1:12)
We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God's Word, which however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh. (Rom. 13:13,14; Gal. 5:13; Titus 2:11-15)
THE TWO NATURES OF BELIEVERS
We believe that every saved person possesses two natures, with provision made for victory of the new nature over the old nature through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit; and that all claims to the eradication of the old nature in this life are unscriptural. (Rom. 6:13;8:12,13; Gal. 5:16-25; Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:10; I Pet. 1:14-16; I Jn. 3:5-9)
SEPARATION
We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord; and, that separation from all religious apostasy and all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices and association is commanded by God. (II Tim. 3:1-5; Rom. 12:1,2;14:13; I Jn. 2:15-17; II Jn. 9,11; II Cor. 6:14-7:1; Eph. 5:7-11)
We believe that sexual intimacy is a wonderful gift of God that is only to be expressed between one man and one woman (as genetically defined), within the love and bonds of marriage (Genesis 2:24-25; Matthew 19:4-6; 1 Corinthians 7:3-5; Hebrews 13:4). Therefore, we believe that any other form of sexual intimacy is both immoral and a perversion of God's gift. (Leviticus 18:1-30; Proverbs 6:32; 1 Corinthians 6:18; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8)
MISSIONS
We believe that it is the obligation of the saved to witness by life and by work to the truths of Holy Scripture and to obey our Lord's commandment to make disciples as we proclaim the Gospel to all mankind. (II Tim. 3:1-5; Rom. 12:1,2;14:13; I Jn. 2:15-17; II Jn. 9,11; II Cor. 6:14-7:1; Eph. 5:7-11)
THE MINISTRY AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS
We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowment of all His gifts for the edification of the Body of Christ. The gifts of evangelists, pastors, and teachers are given for the perfecting of saints today. Gifts, such as faith, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, ruling, and mercy are also functional in the Church. Each individual believer should look to the Lord to bestow and develop His gifts. Sign miracles gradually ceased as the New Testament Scriptures were completed and their authority became established. These include the office of Apostle, gifts of prophecy, speaking in tongues, interpretation, healing, and special wisdom and knowledge on a par with Scripture revelation. (Rom. 12:3-8; I Cor. 12:4-11, 27-31; 13:8-10; II Cor. 12:12; Eph. 4:7-12; Mk. 16:20; Heb. 2:3,4)
We believe that the biblical offices of pastor and elder in the church, or their equivalents, are restricted to biblically qualified men. (1 Timothy 2:12; 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9)
We believe that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith in accord with His own will, for the sick and afflicted. (Jn. 15:7; I Jn. 5:14,15; Jas. 5:14,15)
THE CHURCH
We believe that the Church, which is the body and the espoused bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all born again persons of this present age. (Eph. 1:19-23;5:25-27; I Cor. 12:12-14; II Cor. 11:2)
We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures. Believers are to be encouraged to unite with a Bible-believing church. (Acts 14:27;20:17,28-32; I Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11)
We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external authority or control. (Acts 13:1-4;15:19-31;20:28; Rom. 16:1,4; I Cor. 3:9,16;5:4-7,13; I Pet. 5:1-4)
We recognize the ordinances of believer's water baptism and the Lord's Supper as a scriptural means of testimony for the Church in this age. (Mt. 28:19,20; Acts 2:41,42;18:8; I Cor. 11:23-26)
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. These dispensations are not ways of salvation, but divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs man according to His purpose. Three of these - the age of law, the age of the Church, and the age of the millennial kingdom - are the subjects of detailed revelation in Scripture. (Jn. 1:17; II Cor. 3:9-18; Gal. 3:13-25; Eph. 1:10;3:2-10; Col. 1:24,25; Heb. 7:19; Rev. 20:2-6)
THE PERSONALITY OF SATAN
We believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin and the cause of the fall; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire. (Job 1:6,7; Isa. 14:12-17; Mt. 4:2-11;25:41; Rev. 20:10; Ezek. 28:12-19)
THE SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST
We believe in that "Blessed Hope," the personal, imminent, pre-tribulation and premillennial coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His redeemed ones; and in His subsequent return to earth, with His saints, to establish His Millennial Kingdom. (Zech. 14:4-11; Rev. 19:11-16;20:1-6; I Th. 1:10;4:13-18;5:9; Rev. 3:10)
THE ETERNAL STATE
We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men; the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment. (Mt. 25:46; Jn. 5:28,29;11:25,26; Rev. 20:5,6,12,13)
We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord. (Lk. 23:43; Rev. 20:4-6; II Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23;3:20,21; I Th. 4:16,17)
We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious misery until the second resurrection when, with soul and body reunited, they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment. (Lk. 16:19-26; Mt. 25:41-46; II Th. 1:7-9; Jude 6,7; Mk. 9:43-48; Rev. 20:11-15)
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
C
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Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Foreign Missions
This ministry has not been rated.
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 6% | 0% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 4% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 5% | 0% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 4% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 99% | 100% | 99% | 100% | 100% | 99% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 5% | 0% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 4% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 1% | 0% | 1% | 0% | 0% | 1% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 84% | 95% | 94% | 93% | 93% | 84% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 99% | 91% | 93% | 94% | 94% | 96% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 82% | 86% | 87% | 87% | 87% | 80% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 1% | 9% | 7% | 6% | 6% | 4% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 2% | 18% | 15% | 15% | 15% | 12% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 8% | 5% | 5% | 7% | 7% | 12% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.35 | 1.64 | 1.62 | 1.96 | 2.13 | 2.38 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.22 | 1.08 | 1.09 | 1.11 | 1.13 | 1.16 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.02 | 1.76 | 1.76 | 2.18 | 2.42 | 2.76 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 19.08 | 7.78 | 6.14 | 7.58 | 7.54 | 7.07 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.05 | 0.13 | 0.16 | 0.13 | 0.13 | 0.14 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 5.58 | 5.94 | 5.71 | 4.78 | 4.30 | 3.74 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 7% | 12% | 21% | 12% | 12% | 12% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 6% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 68% | 54% | 49% | 45% | 41% | 37% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Cash | $2,340,826 | $2,119,692 | $1,565,401 | $1,316,094 | $1,095,202 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $24,129 | $24,056 | $26,171 | $17,884 | $15,958 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $2,364,955 | $2,143,748 | $1,591,572 | $1,333,978 | $1,111,160 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $153,443 | $158,458 | $180,287 | $176,843 | $176,969 |
| Other long-term assets | $24,596 | $24,596 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $178,039 | $183,054 | $180,287 | $176,843 | $176,969 |
| Total assets | $2,542,994 | $2,326,802 | $1,771,859 | $1,510,821 | $1,288,129 |
| Liabilities | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $304,049 | $349,387 | $209,985 | $176,992 | $157,184 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $304,049 | $349,387 | $209,985 | $176,992 | $157,184 |
| Debt | $0 | $134,333 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $0 | $134,333 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $304,049 | $483,720 | $209,985 | $176,992 | $157,184 |
| Net assets | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Without donor restrictions | $540,463 | $390,087 | $657,188 | $551,449 | $510,920 |
| With donor restrictions | $1,698,482 | $1,452,995 | $904,686 | $782,380 | $620,025 |
| Net assets | $2,238,945 | $1,843,082 | $1,561,874 | $1,333,829 | $1,130,945 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Total contributions | $4,548,634 | $4,023,390 | $3,677,741 | $3,422,112 | $3,178,842 |
| Program service revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $4,142 | $25,060 | $5,682 | $1,444 | $1,858 |
| Other revenue | $3,800 | $5,651 | $9,809 | $4,438 | $14,402 |
| Total other revenue | $7,942 | $30,711 | $15,491 | $5,882 | $16,260 |
| Total revenue | $4,556,576 | $4,054,101 | $3,693,232 | $3,427,994 | $3,195,102 |
| Expenses | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Program services | $3,933,977 | $3,540,988 | $3,213,919 | $2,985,284 | $2,559,682 |
| Management and general | $210,854 | $205,210 | $226,326 | $216,513 | $368,736 |
| Fundraising | $15,844 | $26,759 | $24,955 | $23,303 | $134,499 |
| Total expenses | $4,160,675 | $3,772,957 | $3,465,200 | $3,225,100 | $3,062,917 |
| Change in net assets | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $395,901 | $281,144 | $228,032 | $202,894 | $132,185 |
| Other changes in net assets | ($38) | $64 | $13 | ($10) | $116 |
| Total change in net assets | $395,863 | $281,208 | $228,045 | $202,884 | $132,301 |
Compensation
Compensation data for this ministry has not been collected.
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 5/1/2023. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
FIM's heritage goes back to 1949 when Mary Mellinger and Irene Wenholz sensed God's call to minister to children in Morocco. They needed a U.S. recognized agency to facilitate their calling. Rev. Ralph Boyer of York Gospel Center and several other IFCA pastors moved quickly to assist. On November 3, 1950, they incorporated as Morocco Evangelical Fellowship.
The mission quickly grew beyond its original scope and in 1953 merged with Sahara Desert Mission to become the Fellowship of Independent Missions. Growth in missionary members and countries of outreach continued under the leadership of Dr. Richard Ruth, the agency's first full-time Director. He led the Mission through a move to its present Home Office facilities in Allentown, PA. In 1992, the mission changed its name to Fellowship International Mission.
Following over fifteen years of inspiring leadership by Dr. Steve Wilt, in 2017 the Board called Dr. Paul Barreca to serve as the eighth General Director of FIM. Before joining the Mission, he served as a pastor for thirty-three years in four churches in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Michigan. Paul now utilizes his pastoral experience and discipleship tools to assist missionaries and churches through the ministry of FIM.
FIM's distinctives flow from this rich heritage. One such distinctive is that FIM starts with the individual's call and helps them to fulfill that call and thrive in service for Christ. This is what Mary and Irene experienced as God called them to serve the children of Morocco. God placed a burden in their hearts and raised up ministry partners to help them fulfill their call. Another distinctive is recognition of the sending and sustaining authority of the local church. Every FIM missionary is accountable to their Key Accountability Partner (KAP) church. FIM partners with the KAP church to equip and sustain their missionary. This recognition of the church's authority is often referenced by mission agencies, but it is bedrock to FIM's ministry paradigm, flowing from the agency's origins in 1949.
FIM has maintained its unwavering commitment to sound theology while embracing creative methods for ministry. Missionaries with FIM utilize a variety of culturally relevant strategies to reach people with the gospel. FIM's administrative team possess a combination of missionary and pastoral experience, which equips missionary candidates to reach their intended ministry and stay focused on the essentials of the gospel.
For those sensing God's call, consider partnership with FIM. After all, it's your call. FIM is here to help you fulfill it.