Vision

The time we live in is such a perilously ever-changing time that the hearts cry of the people is not only crying out for solutions, but it is clearly crying out for revival.  The word of the Lord came unto me saying, “Teach my people to prosper divinely in me. Minister to the whole Man; Spirit, Soul, and Body.”
Increasing Faith Ministries has a vision for sinners and saints to go from mediocrity to a royal priesthood, a Holy nation.  We believe you should preach to reach and teach to keep the believers in the body of Christ. We believe this can and will be done as people discover a divine Pentecostal prosperity experience with God.
    We believe the church should strive to do as Jesus did. In Matthew 25:31-46 Jesus teaches us that we should be Feeding the hungry, Clothing the naked, housing the homeless, visiting the sick, and ministering to the prisoners. He says “if you have done it to the least of men then you have done it to him”.
    In short our vision is to reach and teach people to prosper divinely through God’s Word!    The Church of Pentecost…
1. Is centered on prayers and intercession. (Acts 2:42; Eph. 6:18)
2. Praises God in the true spirit of worship. (John 4:24)
3. Ministers to the whole man; Spirit, Soul, and Body. (I Thess. 5:23)
4. Has a direct focus on the needs of the inner city, providing ministry, counsel and support, thus fulfilling the commission of Jesus Christ to “go ye into the highways and the hedges and compel them to come in that my house might be filled.” (Luke 14:23; Acts 2:44, 45)
5. Possesses the character of holiness. (Lev. 11:44, 45; I Peter 1:15, 16)
6. Supplies biblical answer for the troubles of today’s youth. (I Corn. 10:11; II Tim. 3:15, 16)
7. Is empowered by the Holy Ghost through the Nine Gifts of the Spirit, Eight Operations of God, Five Ascension Gifts of Jesus and the Six Grace
Gifts that are the life flow of the Body of Christ. (I Corn. 12:4-10, 28; Eph. 4:11, 12; Rom. 12:4-8)
8.  Is evangelistic. (Matt. 28:18 – 20; Mark 16:15-18, 20; Acts 8:4)
9. Has its foundation laid deep in the Apostles’ doctrine. (Acts 2:42)
10. Is aggressive and enthusiastic. (Acts 5:42)
One part of the vision God has given is for the Disciplining of the Elders, Ministers, Deacons, Deaconess and lay members. Knowing that they will be trained and that their ministry gifts will not lye dormant but allowing the Holy Spirit to have free course in them in the Church. God is capable of demonstrating his power through vessels, that are at liberty and power, to praise him.  A church must see that they are one unit with many parts working together.  As we function under the unction of the Holy Spirit, seeing that we are in the seasons of God, we will release trained, equipped, and ready vessels of God to go forth as laborers in the vineyard.  

AUXILIARIES WITHIN THE CHURCH…

SUNDAY SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
MENS DEPARTMENT (Men’s Ministry)
WOMENS DEPARTMENT (Women’s Ministry)
YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT DEPARTMENT
SINGLES DEPARTMENT (Young Men & Women (18-25)
FACILITIES DEPARTMENT/PARKING LOT DETAIL
SECURITY DEPARTMENT

MINISTRIES WITHIN THE CHURCH

BOARD OF ELDERS
MINISTERS IN TRAINING CLASSES (M= Ministry I= Impartation T= Training) (MIT)
DEACONS AND DEACONESS IN TRAINING CLASSES
BUS & VAN MINISTRY
SENIOR CITIZENS MINISTRY
FOOD BANK MINISTRY
PRISION MINISTRY
HOSPITAL MINISTRY
EVANGELISTIC MINISTRY (TEAM OF EVANGELIST FOR CRUSADES, ETC..)
NURSING HOME MINISTRY
STREET MINISTRY
MARRIAGE ENHANCEMENT CLASSES
TAPE AND TELEVISION MINISTRY
PHONE COUNSELORS MINISTRY
RAIDO BROADCAST MINISTRY
RECREATION MINISTRY
HEALTH MINISTRYPRAYER MINISTRY (NOON DAY AT THE CHURCH)    All Auxiliaries, Ministries, Outreaches, and individual Visions should flow into the overall vision of Increasing Faith Ministries and we are open for expansion as the current vision is fulfilled. The next pages are dedicated to the Physical structure we believe God for:

Government    

    Within the Body of Christ there are several types of Governments. They are as follows:

A.  OLIGARCHY: The elite few concepts.
B.  MONARCH: The one man or woman totalitarian concept.
C.  GERONTOCARCY The senior aged person concept.
D.  DEMOCARCY:    The majority rules concept.
E.  THEOCRACY:    The God is in charge through his anointed and appointed leaders’ concept.

    We of Increasing Faith Deliverance Ministries are ruled by a theocratic governmental structure. That is to say, God is in control.

THE STUDY OF SOUND BIBLICAL DOCTRINE

GOD
We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in a triune Godhead; who manifests himself in three (3) persons namely as The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Col.2:2, 6,9; I Peter 1:2, I Tim. 3:16) We believe in the deity our Lord Jesus Christ, in his Virgin Birth, in His sinless life, in His empowerment by the Father through the Holy Spirit, in His atoning death and shedding of blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, in His personal future return to earth in power and glory to rule a thousand years.

THE BIBLE
We believe the Bible to be the infallible written word of God. We believe that the word was written by inspiration of God (II Tim. 3:16).  The word is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness.

MAN
We believe that man was created holy by God, he is composed of spirit, soul, and body (I Thess. 5:23).  The breath of God breathed into man causing him to become a living soul (Gen. 2:7).  We believe that man by nature is sinful and unholy.  We are born in sin and shaped in iniquity, therefore man must be born again, sanctified and cleansed from sin by the blood of Jesus.

SIN
Sin, the Bible teaches, began in the heavens among the angels (Ezek. 28:11-19; Isa. 14:12-20). Sin entered into the human race by disobedience and deception, and it is motivated by unbelief (I Tim. 2:14).  We believe that Adam’s sin carried with it a permanent pollution to human nature and all his descendants.  This is known as the “Original Sin”.  Sin is a transgression against God, and lack of conformity to the will of God.  Man, therefore, must be restored to his state of holiness, from which he has fallen by being born again (John 3:7).

APOSTLE’S DOCTRINE
We believe that Jesus came to fulfill all the laws of Moses and the Prophets.  Some of Christ’s doctrines included those of love, servitude, hell, demons, etc.  After Christ’s resurrection, he commanded the Apostles to teach doctrine.  Some of these doctrines were healing, baptism, resurrection, etc.  As a result of the greatest teacher since Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, the Apostolic doctrine extended into a never – ending flow of revelation knowledge, such as the doctrines of sanctification, holiness, salvation, grace, etc.

    The word of God is forever settled in heaven, but the relevance of its teaching may vary from generation to generation. It is through sound biblical doctrine that we can continually meet the needs of an ever learning, ever changing society without
reducing or dilution the power of God’s unchangeable word!

CHURCH ETIQUETTE

Why do we…?
1. Have corporate prayer before each service?
(Acts 1:12 – 14, 24-26)
2. Pray outwardly in tongues as well as English?
(Acts 4:24-31; I Corn. 14:2-5)
3. Have corporate praise and worship with…
Singing?    (Psalms 47:6,7)
Shouting?    (Psalms 47:1)
Clapping?    (Psalms 47:1)
Kneeling?    (II Chron. 6:13; Psalms 104:1)
3(A).  Extended, lifted or waving of the hands?
    (II Chronicles 6:13; Psalms 118:1)
3(B).  Laying prostrate on the floor?
    (II Chronicles 7:3)
3©.  Dancing?
    (Psalms 149:3)
3(D). Instruments?
    (Psalms 150:3-6)
3(E).  Standing?
    (II Chronicles 20:9)
4. Allow the Holy Spirit’s expression through the gifts of the Spirit.
(prophecy, tongues, interpretation, etc.)?
(Acts 13: 1-4; I Corn. 12:7-11 and 14:26-33)
5. Share in open, verbal expression of testimony?
(Acts 14:23; Revelation 12:11)
6. Pray for people with the laying on of hands and anointed oil?
(Mark 16:15-18; Acts 19:1-6; James 5:13-16)
7. Teach and/or preach with such force, intensity, conviction, authority, and power?
(Isaiah 58:1; Luke 4:18,19; Acts 2:13-38)
8. Respond to the word with amen, shouts of praise, rising to our feet, tears of joy and/or conviction? (II Chronicles 20:14-22; Nehemiah 8:5,6)
9. Respond to prayers by falling to the floor?
(Daniel 10:7-11; Revelation 1:13-17)
10. Pray with such fervency?
(Acts 4:29-31; James 5:16)

CHURCH MEMEBERSHIP

We of Increasing Faith Ministries believe that every disciple of Jesus Christ should be an active, accounted member of a local assembly known as Church.  What is meant by the word “Church”? It is derived form the Greek word, Ekklesia.  That is to say the called out ones assembled together ones, assembly of free citizens.  It is derived of two Greek words, EK>>out of, and Kaleo>>to call or be called.
    To understand the truth of Church membership, we need only to understand that the Church is Jesus’ idea, and therefore, Church membership is also his idea.  
Matthew 16:13-19, Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church (Ekklesia) and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  Thou art Peter, lit petros>> a movable small rock or pebble.  And upon this rock lit petra>> a massive bedrock, a boulder, a hewn-out stone. I will build my Church.  The Church is to be built upon the Rock.  Revelation that Jesus is the Christ or Jesus is God.  This is the revelation rock the Church is built upon.  We the Church are Christ’s ambassadors in the earth. Acts 1:15 describes a sense of numerical accountability.  Acts 2:41-47 describes a multi-purpose benefit of Church membership, and they are as follows:
A. Sharing in doctrine.
B. Sharing in fellowship and breaking of bread.
C. Corporate prayers.
D. Apostolic signs and wonders.
E. A community of believers.
F. A system of sharing and supply.
G. A sense of unity.
H. A sense of gathering together from house to house and in the temple.
I. A sense of corporate praise and worship.

Church membership is an outward confirmation of an inward transformation. We require the members of this ministry to:
1. Affirm their desire by completing an eight week New membership/New convert class. You will be assigned a pastoral care group leader for eight weeks or more so that you can adjust and make known any areas of need that we help fulfill.
2. Be an active and committed part of the body.
3. Follow the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ who is the head of the church and his delegated authority (Pastors, and appointed officers).
4. Make us aware by letter and in person should you desire to move or end your membership.  We would like for you to have an exit interview with the Sr. Pastors so we can insure that any wrong doing on our part can be corrected.

TITHES AND OFFERING

What is tithe or tithing?  Abraham gave Melchizedek tithes of all he had (Genesis 14:20).  The tithe means the tenth part.  The tithe is a mechanism that teaches us the God given principle of giving.  By developing a disciplined tithing lifestyle, the principle of giving, be it offerings, alms, or seed, will have a base to build from.  The fact that Abraham gave tithes before the Law of Moses was instituted makes tithing before and beyond the law.  Jacob declared that all God will give me, “I will give him a tenth, tithe”.  Again, it is important to note that man in response to the blessing of the Lord instituted the tithe. Tithing is worship unto God.

    Malachi 3:8 states that when we refuse to tithe and give offerings, we in turn are robbing God.  As a result of robing God, Satan’s attack of lack and poverty go unchallenged by God, and thus, a curse that we have been redeemed from attempts to impose its will upon us.

    Malachi 3:10 says, Bring ye the tithes into the storehouse.  What is the storehouse?  Where ever you are being fed, shepherded or cared for.  The storehouse is God’s house, “minehouse”.  That there may be meat in minehouse”.  Mal. 3:10 also describes the six (6) fold blessing in obedience to tithing, and they are as follows:

A. Meat in mine house.  The work of the Lord will continue on because of our obedience with the tithe.
B. Opening the Windows of Heaven.  This describes the open channel for financial blessing.
C. The pouring out of numerous financial blessings that we cannot have room enough to receive.
D. I will rebuke the devourer.  Through our obedience with the tithe, we loose God to our defense in areas of finances, sickness, emotions, etc.  The devourer will be rebuked as we obey.
E. All nations will call you blessed! This is beyond financial blessings by faith, this describes manifested blessings where every nation can see that you are blessed!
F. Ye shall be a delightsome land; your homes will prosper; your jobs will prosper; and ye shall live in delight! God wants you happy and your obedience with the tithe guarantees your own happiness.

This is the six fold blessing of tithing, and it is through our obedience with the tithe that we are set up to receive from our offerings given.  II Cor. 9:6 states that, he that sows sparingly shall receive sparingly.  In others words, little out, little to receive, not little in the amount but little in faith, little in obedience, little in love.  You shall receive based upon the motive and intent and content of your giving. Consider Mark (12:41-44) Jesus observes the people giving he noticed the rich giving much, but then this little poor widow woman comes along and gives two mites (approx. .50 cents), he makes the statement that she gave more than any one because she gave of her want even all she had to live with. Jesus was moved by her faith not her amount given.  Little in amount may be much to one and little to another, that’s why the scriptures states (I Cor. 16:2), “ Upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay him in store, as God hath prospered you…” You can only give within your means to give.
We have a philosophy that we learned from a wise Pastor we knew. He said “We don’t beg for money and we don’t argue over money.” We believe money is currency and currency is designed to flow.

NOTE FROM THE PASTORS

In this last hour God has told his people to redeem the time. I believe as Pastors God gives us an opportunity to pour into the lives of people. We need to reach the whole person.  We also need to Pastor them and not Lord over them.  Jesus is the good shepherd, he gives his people Pastor’s after his own heart.  I believe if we minister to the broken hearted, down trodden, misunderstood, the hopeless, and those that need to be healed delivered and set free. We will be ministering through the heart of God. We must always encourage the people of God to know that God wants the whole person to prosper, spirit, soul, and body.

Prophetess Denise Upchurch, Sr. Pastor

    Ministry to the whole person is absolutely essential in this endtime we live in. I know God is given us his anointing, power, and strength to make it. We must as the body of Christ, begin to eat the whole roll. We have seen the great soul winning revivals, the great healing revivals, and even an out pouring of the prophetic ministry. This last wave of revival shall be one of soul winning, healing, deliverance, and prosperity. We must believe God for prosperity to carry out the work of the ministry to the whole world. Prosperity is for the saints. Ps. 35:27 says” Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant”. We must praise God, be glad, and be about God’s business. God wants his church to go out with a shout, pep in our step, and glide to our stride! The work of the ministry is anointed by God, appointed by his servants, and financed by his provisions for us. We can pray, preach, and prophesy but we must be an example of everything we say God is. We must seek his Kingdom and righteousness to see the rest added to us. What we do with the rest determines weather we get more or not. I want to do the work of the ministry that God has called us to do for generations to come. I believe we are about to see the changing of the guard in the realm of the spirit and the people of God who will hear his word and obey shall prosper in the work of God and in life.                      

Apostle Ulysses Upchurch, Overseer