WORLD BIBLE WAY FELLOWSHIP, INC. is an associated Fellowship of Ministers, Missionaries, Christian workers and Churches throughout the world.

This corporation is organized as a non-profit and its prime, principle and all pervading purpose is to promote the Christian faith and gospel throughout the world.  

This organization traces its history to the International Fundamental Christian Association, first recognized as a proposed religious corporation in the District of Columbia shortly after June 1943, and later incorporated in Texas.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

REACHING THE WORLD THROUGH BIBLE WAY

What We Are

WORLD BIBLE WAY FELLOWSHIP, INC. is an associated Fellowship of Ministers, Missionaries, and Churches throughout the world. This corporation is organized as a non-profit and its prime, principle and all pervading purpose is to promote the Christian faith and gospel throughout the world. This organization traces its history to the International Fundamental Christian Association, first recognized as a proposed religious corporation in the District of Columbia shortly after June 1943, and later incorporated in Texas.

Purpose

The Fellowship is formed for the following purposes: 1. To promote fellowship, cooperation, protection, recognition, and propagation of the Christian gospel at home and abroad, and for the support of public worship. 2. To license and ordain ministers as may be deemed expedient or necessary. 3. To act as beneficiary on all kinds of insurance policies and wills. 4. To establish churches, auxiliaries, clubs, schools and societies of a religious nature. 5. To print, publish, distribute and sell books, tapes, magazines, and other literature in any way connected with the purpose of this corporation. 6. To do any and all things reasonably necessary to carry out the above and foregoing purposes.

Objectives

1. To build up one another in the most holy faith. 2. To "earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints." (Jude 1:3) 3. To grant each local unit, whether Fellowship Church or Institution, absolute sovereignty to handle its local affairs, and each minister the right to carry out his or her individual vision as God directs. 4. To provide a voluntary, cooperative basis of fellowship for various local fellowships, churches, christian workers, ministers and institutions who believe the fundamental doctrines of the Bible, and to assist one another in carrying out the command of the Master to evangelize the world.

Fellowship Operation

The vision of this Fellowship is to serve as a spiritual covering of ministerial pastoral care, fellowship, nurturing and empowerment to its members throughout the world; to encourage, share wisdom and experience to the hearts of pastors who have no one else to whom they can turn. The holding of any properties, or any legal phase of the Fellowship, is vested in a Board of Trustees, who come into their office by appointment as God directs. The Board of Trustees consists of a President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer and others as is deemed needful and advantageous. The President has the responsibility of directing the affairs of the Fellowship. There will be a meeting of the Board of Trustees at least once a year. Inasmuch as the President and Vice-President must work in close harmony, the President has the privilege to nominate, with the approval of the Board, the Vice-President. In the event of a vacancy in the office of the President, the Vice-President will assume the office of the Presidency. All other vacancies will be filled by appointment of the President with the approval and confirmation of the Board. The members of the Board of Trustees serve the Fellowship indefinitely as its governing head, only being dismissed in the event he or she departs from the faith, or deliberately goes into sin, or by choice, or being led of God desires to enter other fields of ministry. To further promote the Fellowship, capable leaders who have the good will of ministers and churches in their locality will be appointed by the Board of Trustees to be recognized as Regional Representatives. The constituency cannot endorse the radical theories and dogmas which are set forth by many of the denominational sects of today, which tend only to split and divide God's people. We are willing to fellowship with all clean Christians who are contending for love and the principle of Christ. But we cannot, and will not endorse or set our approval upon radical teachings which split and divide the Body of Christ.

Credentialing Process

Those desiring to affiliate with the World Bible Way Fellowship, Inc. will, upon completion of an application provided by the home office, be recommended by two or more ordained Fellowship members or an affiliated Fellowship church. Such worthy individuals will receive proper credentials signed by the President and Secretary-Treasurer of the Fellowship. The Board of Trustees is empowered to grant credentials to such worthy ministers who have been ordained or licensed with other organizations before applying to the Fellowship, who are properly recommended. The local church is urged to exercise good judgement in the examination of applicants, and at no time are they to recommend them for credentials unless the church is convinced that God has called the applicant to a definite ministry, and that the applicant is living a consecrated life, and has a proven ministry. For those with no previous ministerial training or experience, but who feel the call of God on their life for Christian service, it is recommended that they be issued a Christian Worker's certificate and at a later date be issued a Ministerial License after having established a proven ministry. Licensed ministers actively engaged in full time ministry for two years may then apply for Ordination. To be eligible for membership, all applicants must annually subscribe to the Statement of Faith. The Certificate of Fellowship bears the corporate seal of the Fellowship. Be it thoroughly understood that the Trustees of the Fellowship assume no obligation for the ministry, life and conduct of the ministers holding credentials with the Fellowship, but according to the Scriptures, each minister is responsible to the congregation to which they minister or attend. Be it further understood, that this Fellowship does not condone loose living, and unethical practices by any of its ministers. We insist that all ministers opening new works give due consideration to any existing local churches and their pastors, that their interest be kept inviolate.

Dues

It is the financial plan of the Fellowship that all Ordained/Licensed Ministers and Christian Workers pay $150.00 per year. Fee is to be paid in advance with the application for credential and are renewable each year.

Discipline

All charges presented against a Licensed or Ordained minister or christian worker must be sustained by two or more witnesses. Such accusation must be in writing, signed by the accuser and sent through the mail. Then an official, unbiased committee from the local church where the charge is made shall investigate such charge and adjust matters where possible. In the event said local committee can not adjust such case, a committee of two or more nearby ministers may be called upon to assist in such investigation either by the accused minister, or the ones making the charge. In extreme cases, where matters can not be settled locally, they may be referred or appealed to the Board of Trustees, which is empowered to take the final action in such cases, and when necessary revoke credentials. In cases where charges are preferred against an evangelist, who has no local church from which a local committee can justly be chosen to investigate his case and adjust matters, his case will be dealt with by the Board of Trustees.

Church/Ministry/Organization Affiliation

Any Church, Bible Institute, Church School, Mission Station, etc. desiring to be affiliated with the Fellowship must subscribe to the Statement of Faith and be in harmony with the Purposes and Objectives of the Fellowship. Application for affiliation should be sent to the headquarters of the Fellowship. A one time fee of $150.00, for church/ministry/organization, must accompany all applications for affiliation. Thereafter, affiliated churches/ministries/organizations automatically renew annually when the affiliated pastor/founder renews. No church/ministry/organization may be affiliated without the pastor/founder being affiliated.

Individuality

Churches, Institutions and Associations becoming affiliated with World Bible Way Fellowship, Inc. may be independent, self-governing, own their own property, choose their own name and call their own pastors, or leaders as God may direct. Each local cooperative work may have its local trustees and incorporate locally, if desired, with said local trustees and their successors holding the property in trust. We suggest each pastor or founder of said ministry be Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Tithes & Contributions

We accept tithing as God's plan through the ages for the support of the ministry and the carrying on of God's work; therefore, we urge that tithing be taught and that all ministers pay tithes as God may prosper. We urge all ministers to contribute regularly to the General Fund. It will be disbursed, as stated, to further the mission of this Fellowship.

Missionary Program

Money for Missions, whether Home or Foreign, is kept in a separate fund and goes to the mission field 100%. No money is taken from this fund for anything other than missions. Requests for missionary funds given to be designated for a certain field will be honored. All undesignated funds will be sent where most needed. All WBWFI churches are requested to support the Fellowship Missionary program to the best of their ability.

Disbursement of Funds

All monies, except that sent in for missions, will be placed into a General Fund from which all operating expenses will be paid. This includes office expenses such as stationary, postage, printing, publishing of THE EVENTS, office personnel salaries, etc. Only the necessary expenses that go to carry on the work of the Fellowship will be met from this fund. The Trustees will, from time to time, see that a full and complete financial report is made so that everyone can see where all money comes from and how it is spent. The Trustees will hire office personnel as needed to care for all office work in general. The President is empowered to use the Fellowship seal and sign all credentials and legal papers of the Fellowship under the sanction of the Board of Trustees.

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HISTORY

It all started when…

HISTORY OF WORLD BIBLE WAY FELLOWSHIP, INC

In 1943, Rev. Guy Shields met with a group of 35 other ministers to form a ministry group of ministers with a shared vision of reaching the world with the great commission.

First called the International Fundamental Christian Association, The organization was headquartered in Oklahoma City for the first two years, Then moved to Dallas, Texas

In coming to Dallas the headquarters was established with the Bible Way Seminary, Inc. which was the Bible Institute of the Fundamental Christian Association. Due to Texas law the two organizations merged forming a new charter and became World Bible Way Fellowship, Inc.

Rev. Shields traveled across the United States, bringing in ministers and Churches to this fledgling organization. He purchased the property and built the first office of the Fellowship with a small handful of volunteers. Until his passing in 1962, Guy Shields was relentless in his pursuit of building an organization that would teach, support and license Pastors, evangelists, missionaries, and teachers.

IT’S PURPOSE

World Bible Way Fellowship, Inc. is an associated fellowship of ministers, missionaries, Christian workers and Churches throughout the world.

This corporation is organized, not for profit and it’s prime, principle and all-pervading purpose is to promote and propagate the Christian faith and gospel throughout the world. In addition, it’s principle purpose is to promote fellowship, cooperation, protection and recognition and propagation of the Christian gospel at home and abroad and for the purpose of public worship. To ordain ministers and Christian workers to any and all as may be deemed expedient or necessary.

To build up one another in the most holy faith and earnestly contend for the faith. Its churches or institutions are to be absolute sovereignty to handle their own affairs and gives each minister to carry out, his or her, individual vision as God directs. And to assist one another in carrying out the command of the Master to evangelize the world.

To date the WBWF has had the honor to be led by 6 phenomenal Presidents.

Founder, Bishop Guy Shields (President: 1943-1962)

Rev. Albert Daly (President: 1962-1974)

Dr. Dan Hope (President: 1974-2010)

Dr. Kenneth Howe (President: 2010 -2019)

Dr. thomas r. calk (President: 2019-2021)

Rev. j. bryan chance (Presdident: 2021-Current)

SPREADING THE GOSPEL

The World Bible Way Fellowship would not exist if not for the intense amount of labor put in by its early ministers. Ministry is impossible without unity. Jesus prayed to his Father in John 17 that we be united. To that end, the World Bible Way Fellowship was formed.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

pastor maurice gray, Treasurer

Pastor Maurice Gray was named Treasurer for WBWF in July of 2022. Maurice and his wife Christina are residents of Medway, Maine.

• PASTOR Doyle Barnett, Board Member, BraNson, Missouri

• PASTOR/EVANGELIST Lee Farmer, Board Member, West, Texas

OFFICE STAFF

Shanna Hoskison & Marie Chance

Office Phone: 972-259-1231
Email: wbwf@worldbibleway.com