Founded in 1930 as the Independent Fundamental Churches of America, IFCA International is a worldwide movement of churches committed to Biblical ministry.
IFCA International provides an organizational structure, coordinating with autonomous member churches in ministry activities. While not strictly a denomination, the organization strives to be an ethnically blended fellowship of churches and individuals committed to working together in Biblical ministry.
IFCA International has approximately a thousand member churches in the United States, and about three times that number in twenty-six countries outside of the United States, as well as about a thousand individual members, who include pastors, chaplains, college and seminary professors, missionaries, other vocational Christian workers, and laymen. There are six member colleges, eleven home mission agencies, and nine church-planting agencies in the United States, and eight foreign mission agencies outside of the United States.
IFCA International is a separate organization from the International Fellowship of Christian Assemblies, which is a Pentecostal denomination that also uses the IFCA acronym.
While IFCA International is not a denomination, it does require obedience to God's Word and allegiance to historic, fundamental doctrinal distinctives.
IFCA International's positions on same-sex marriage affirm the Biblical, traditional, and historical view of marriage as the union of one man and one woman, as genetically defined. Sexual activity outside of this definition of marriage is deemed sinful. Same-sex marriage is not endorsed by IFCA International.
The organization holds that salvation is by grace through faith. Faith is defined as an intellectual awareness of the facts of the Gospel, as well as a personal reliance upon Christ and the power inherent in His death to provide forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. Both of these elements are essential.
IFCA International views member churches as autonomous, each of which retains the right to govern itself under the leadership of Jesus Christ. However, member churches are expected to accept the divine inspiration of the Bible and be governed by the Holy Scriptures. Member churches choose their own officers according to the Scriptural standard of 1 Timothy 3:1-13. They exercise their own discipline in accordance with 1 Corinthians 5:13, and handle internal problems following the authority of 1 Corinthians 6:1-5. Member churches are responsible for the preservation of the true teachings of the Bible, as viewed in 1 Timothy 3:15, and are accountable to the local elders of their church (Acts 14:23, Hebrews 13:7, 17a) who, in turn, are accountable to Christ (Hebrews 13:7b.
While member churches are autonomous and independent, IFCA International also believes in the interdependence of local churches and groups for the purpose of fellowship and cooperation in fulfilling the Biblical purposes of the church.
Member churches of IFCA International are to be separated from all forms of apostasy and groups deemed contrary to the faith, as well as all forms of worldliness.
IFCA International holds that the gifts of the Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, are part of a closed canon of Scripture, which has gradually ceased as the New Testament Scriptures were completed and their authority became established.
The fellowship was formed in response to the 19th Century European philosophies of Rationalism and Empiricism, which led to theological expressions of Modernism and Higher Criticism, which crossed the Atlantic to find their way into American denominations.
IFCA International's roots began at the Lake Okoboji Tabernacle in Arnold Park, Iowa, on September 4-6, 1923, where a group of pastors from ten states organized a fellowship for true Bible-believing pastors and churches who were opposed to what they viewed as the apostasy of their denominations. Originally, they called themselves the American Conference of Undenominational Churches. However, the ACUC soon experienced internal strife, loose affiliations, and a wide doctrinal spectrum.
Several ACUC pastors joined a group of Congregational pastors who were meeting in Chicago. After a joint meeting, this group joined with the ACUC group to form the Independent Fundamental Churches of America, which held its first Convention in 1930.
In 1997, the Independent Fundamental Churches of America voted to change its name to IFCA International in order to reflect its worldwide missionary vision and to separate itself from other groups described as fundamentalists. Nevertheless, IFCA International is doctrinally conservative, rejecting ecumenism and liberalism within Christianity.
The focus of this part of our guide is on the interdependent but autonomous fellowship of Christian churches and individuals known as IFCA International.
Recommended Resources
Doulas Language & Bible Institute
In partnership with IFCA International, DLBI is a non-profit, non-denominational, Christian, and educational organization formed to prepare students for Christian service. Doctrinal statements on the Bible, the Trinity, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Man, Blessed Hope, and Salvation are defined. Offering a Certificate of Biblical Language Studies, its programs of study and a student application are featured, and a private student login is included for coursework and transcript requests.
https://www.douloslanguagebibleinstitute.com/
Established in 1967 by the Independent Churches of America, now known as IFCA International, the 95-acre camp is named for the original owners of the land. Featuring fifteen buildings in the camp's main area, and its own natural underwater water source, another fourteen adjacent acres were acquired in 1997, adding additional cabins. Its history, a camp tour, staff introductions, program schedules, a promotional brochure, a statement of faith, and an online shopping area are included.
https://www.hartstonebiblecamp.org/
IFCA Independent Bible Mission
Formed as the Independent Bible Mission of Michigan in 1952, the IBM is the church extension arm of IFCA International in Michigan and northern Wisconsin. New churches come under the IBM umbrella, in that its focus is to work closely with the pastor and its leadership to bring the church to maturity. Its history, doctrine, mission, and staff introductions are put forth, and its office address, a map, telephone number, and an online contact form are included.
https://www.ifcaibm.org/
Stemming from the American Conference of Undenominational Churches, IFCA International is a movement of autonomous churches, pastors, missionaries, lay leaders, and organizations grounded in historic fundamental Christian doctrine. Its organizational website features its history, beliefs, and an overview of what its members stand for, as well as its ministries and resources, convention schedules and archives, member churches, and membership information and documents.
https://www.ifca.org/
IFCA International Bible Institute
The Bible Institute is not a traditional Bible institute or college and does not seek to replace those schools that are still faithful to the Scriptures. It does not grant certificates or degrees but stores the teaching ministries of its members in one place so that pastors can use them to sharpen their own skills and train another generation of leaders. Its history and purpose are stated, and its video courses are available through a private login. Contributions may be made online.
https://ifca-bible-institute.ifca.org/
In cooperation with the staff at the IFCA International Home Office, the regional organization serves IFCA churches in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, and Wyoming. Its services include connecting congregations with one another, supporting pastors, providing congregations with necessary tools and a strategy for church planting, as well as intervening in conflicts, helping congregations find pastors, ensuring high pastoral standards, and others, which are highlighted here, along with contacts.
https://www.rockymtnregional.org/
Located in Byron Center, Michigan, IFCA Youth is charged with encouraging and equipping youth for service. The IFCA Youth Council is introduced, with contacts. Among the services provided by the organization are ministry training in Bible teaching, music, and worship arts, a Bible quizzing program, and partnering with Christian colleges to offer scholarships to exemplary students who participate in areas of its annual International Youth Convention, which is also highlighted here.
https://ifcayouth.org/
Mid-America Mission & Woodland Acres Camp
Affiliated with IFCA International and the Christian Camp & Conference Association, the Christian camp was formed on twelve acres of land near Green Forest, Arkansas in 1958, and Mid-America Mission moved its offices to the site in 1963. Later, two more acres were added for a shop, missionary house, and gymnasium. Today, the camp includes twenty buildings and can accommodate up to two hundred campers. Camp schedules, facility rental information, and camp and ministry opportunities are featured.
https://mam-wabc.org/
One of a number of IFCA International church planting agencies across the United States, MCE focuses on promoting and assisting new churches throughout Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Based in Remington, Indiana, MCE was formed through the union of three separate church-planting agencies in 2003, and focuses on strategically extending the ministry of IFCA International churches through a church-planting ministry. Its history, mission, and contacts are posted.
https://www.ifcamce.org/
Northwest Independent Church Extension
Planting and assisting churches throughout the Pacific Northwest of the United States, NICE is an organizational member of IFCA International. Its history, organization, statement of faith, and leadership are defined, and ministry opportunities are posted on the site. With missionaries in Washington, Oregon, Northern California, Idaho, Montana, and Nevada, its church planting and placement services are outlined, and its publications may be downloaded from the site in PDF format.
https://nicechurchplanters.org/
Rockies Southwest Bible Church Extension
Affiliated with the IFCA International Church Planting Commission, RSBCE helps to plant and revitalize IFCA churches in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and West Texas. Headquartered in Castle Rock, Colorado, the organization identifies, develops and sustains effective leaders, engages and partners with existing churches and believers to qualify church plants, and prepares leaders to successfully serve Christ, while safeguarding the Gospel of Jesus Christ through expository preaching and teaching.
http://rsbce.org/
SCE is a member of IFCA International, for which it serves as the extension ministry for church planting in Alabama, northern Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, the eastern portions of Tennessee and Kentucky, and the mountain regions of Virginia. Based in Newport, Tennessee, SCE works with Bible colleges, institutes, seminaries, and churches to train new pastors through internships and mentoring, as well as participating in mission conferences and church assessments.
http://www.southeastchurches.org/
