Frontline Ministries International

Frontline Ministries International (FMI) is a Christian non-profit organisation based in Ohio.

Brief history

Frontline Ministries International was founded by William and Mary-Pat Gokee in the 1990s. It was originally closely affiliated with a small non-denominational church in North Canton, Ohio, butin 2005 the church ended this relationship. It now operates as an independent non-profit religious entity, not affiliated with any other church, denomination, or religious movement. It is registered with the IRS as as a 501(c)3 entity.

It is based in Jackson Township, Stark County, Ohio, United States. Originally all operations and religious services were conducted out of William Gokee's home in Jackson Township, but in 2005 they leased a vacant church, also in Jackson Township, located on Wales Road; while religious services are conducted from there, business operations continue to be conducted out of William Gokee's home.

Beliefs

Self-financing members travel with senior FMI officers to countries such as Brazil, Ghana, and Mozambique. FMI refers to these countries as "unreached", and its aim is to win converts to Christianity. The ministry of healing is important to the vision, and the founder of FMI, Mary-Pat Gokee, claims to have restored sight to blind individuals in Africa.

Activities

FMI provides many activities in which youth and young adults can participate, such as a bi-weekly Bible study and weekly religious services, and also holds weekend-long retreats where prospective members are encouraged to attend and learn more about FMI's beliefs and goals, in addition to social activities and games designed to foster friendships among members.

FMI has performed outreaches to the homeless in Stark County, including the use of a donated school bus to distribute coats, blankets, and hot beverages in downtown Canton, Ohio.

In the winter of 2005, FMI organised transportation and hot beverages for area residents to help those without their own transportation travel to area retailers to purchase Christmas gifts.

FMI offers unpaid internships for youth and young adults. These internships offer training in various religious ceremonies, such as performing healings, spreading the belief in FMI to non-believers, and offering guaranteed acceptance into FMI's activities outside the United States.

References

* Todd Bentley in Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship DVD from "Fresh Fire 2004".
* Religious Briefs in [http://cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=257459 Canton Repository newspaper 2005]

External links

* [http://www.frontline-ministries.org Official site]