Our Policies

Expectations and Requirements

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR MISSIONARIES

Missionaries with FBWWM must have a personal call from God and be sure of that calling. The call of God for missionary service is similar, if not identical, to the call of an evangelist (Ephesians 4:11) and is more than a burden for missions. All Christians should have a burden for missions but that alone does not constitute a call. However, a call from God to missionary service will always be accompanied by a burden to win the lost. The missionary should meet the New Testament qualifications, found in I Timothy 3:1-7,11. Because Scripture declares that two cannot walk together except they be agreed, missionaries served by FBWWM must agree with and practice the Policies and Practices Manual.

PROVISION OF FINANCIAL NEEDS

FBWWM is a work of faith. We are not supported by any denomination or convention of churches. Both FBWWM and the missionaries affiliated with FBWWM seek support from independent, fundamental Baptist churches of like faith as described previously under Purpose of FBWWM. We depend upon the Lord to supply all of our needs through voluntary gifts from such churches. Each missionary must raise his own support through deputation and depend upon the Lord to supply his needs through God’s people. We do not require missionaries serving with FBWWM to financially support FBWWM. This ministry is a labor of love for them and their churches. However, many of the missionaries do support the FBWWM Home Office, for which we are grateful.

All offerings received by FBWWM are used as designated by the giver. Undesignated funds will be used in one of the following ways: for the operation of the FBWWM Home Office; to meet emergency needs of missionaries, such as medical; or any other unexpected need which a missionary may have.

The officers of FBWWM receive no salaries but are responsible to raise any needed support, just as the missionaries are expected to do. A missionary must pay all expenses incurred in his work on the field, including his living expenses, from funds received for his ministry.

Each missionary accepts this responsibility by faith in the living God, Who has promised to supply all of our needs. FBWWM does not approve of worldly schemes and fleshly methods of raising funds for promoting God’s work. Our weapons are not carnal but mighty through God and in demonstration of God’s power and glory.

FBWWM is a faith mission and each missionary who affiliates with us is expected to live a life of faith in the Lord. He has promised to supply all of our needs. Missionaries are expected to be filled with and led by the Holy Spirit Who would never lead contrary to the Scriptures. His work can only be done as we rely upon Him to work through us in answer to our fervent prayers.

All funds contributed are receipted, recorded, and used as designated. Each contributor will receive a receipt for each gift sent, which shows the designated use of those gifts. Contributions will also be acknowledged by the individual missionary.

All support raised by missionaries affiliated with FBWWM, both regular monthly support and special projects, must be sent through FBWWM’s Home Office. This is necessary for several reasons:

(1) FBWWM’s Home Office must be kept aware of the level of support in order to assist the missionary with maintaining the needed level of support,

(2) FBWWM’s Home Office must be aware of the actual support level in order to honestly answer questions from churches and others who inquire about the level of support of individual missionaries,

(3) FBWWM’s Home Office monitors the level of support to ensure that support above a certain level is justified, and

(4) The individual missionary cannot issue a tax deductible receipt for any support.

The above policy does not apply to love offerings received at Missions Conferences or deputation/furlough meetings when a specific offering is taken while the missionary is at a church. These offerings would not be considered ongoing support and would be taken to meet needs of travel, etc. The missionary is free to accept these offerings directly and use them as needed. Reporting of these amounts to FBWWM’s Home Office is not necessary, but adequate records must be kept by individual missionaries for proper tax reporting. Checks should be made payable to and sent to: FBWWM, P.O. Box 341356, Memphis TN 38184-1356 (Memo: Missionary’s Name)

APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS IN ORDER TO BE ACCEPTED

One must be a born-again believer with a personal call from God to be a missionary. Wives will not be accepted simply because the husband has a call. FBWWM does not believe that God calls a missionary’s wife as he does her husband. However, when God calls a man to be a missionary, we believe He will reveal that call to his wife so that she can confidently declare that it is the will of God for them to be on the mission field.
One must accept and practice FBWWM’s Policies and Practices, including Appearance Code, as set forth in the Policies and Practices Manual of FBWWM.
One must belong to a local New Testament Baptist church that agrees with our Policies and Practices as set forth in the Policies and Practices Manual of FBWWM.

One must be authorized and commissioned by the local church of which he is a member. Commissioning Papers (supplied by FBWWM) must be signed and filed in the Home Office.
A new missionary must make an appointment and meet with at least four men on FBWWM’s Board of Directors and the President of FBWWM before being accepted. The new missionary must also attend our Annual Institute of Missions before being accepted.

One must not have more than one living spouse. This applies to both men and women. This applies to your entire lifetime and not just from the time since you have been saved.
If one has been with or has been denied affiliation with another mission agency, FBWWM, at our discretion, may contact that mission agency before acceptance is given.
One must work in conjunction with FBWWM’s Home Office while preparing his visual presentation. It must be reviewed before beginning deputation. Harm and embarrassment have resulted from showing unacceptable material in presentations.
Every missionary will be required to complete the approved level of education set by the pastor of his commissioning church, after consultation with FBWWM. The education may be completed while on deputation. This will not hinder an applicant from being accepted.
FBWWM reserves the right to accept or reject any applicants regardless of circumstances or information received on references, whether good or bad. FBWWM’s final decision is always based upon the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
Nationals who have come to the States to do deputation for the purpose of returning to their country as missionaries may not be accepted. Missionaries are not permitted to bring, send, or assist nationals in coming to the United States to raise support for themselves, their church, or other nationals, without clearing it with FBWWM. Any missionary desiring this permission must first submit, in writing, to FBWWM the reason for the request and furnish justification for a national to come to the States.

APPEARANCE CODE FOR FBWWM’S MISSIONARIES

FBWWM’s Appearance Code deals mainly with the outer appearance upon which the world looks. It applies whether the missionary is on deputation, the field, furlough, or vacation. FBWWM expects that its missionaries hold to the conviction that they should dress in the following manner wherever they go. FBWWM’s missionaries are to conduct themselves as Christian ladies and gentlemen. This is to be evident in their attitude, speech, actions, and appearance. Since their appearance is obvious to all, it is elaborated upon. FBWWM believes that the following guidelines are in accord with the Word of God for His people. The Bible establishes at least three minimum standards for Christian dress.

Christian Dress in Modesty: (I Timothy 2:9) It is true that God’s standards for men and women are high. Many people have been offended by a lower standard; we have never known anyone to be offended by a higher standard.
Christian Dress in Distinction: (Deuteronomy 22:5; I Corinthians 11:14,15) Men should dress like men, and women should dress like women. Notice in Deuteronomy 22:5 which says that if we do not dress according to our gender, we are an “…abomination unto the Lord thy God.”
Christian Dress in Identification: We should be identified with the Lord and not with the world (I Timothy 4:12; Romans 12:1,2; and I John 2:15,16). I Timothy 4:12 says, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” God’s Word is clear that we are to dress and conduct ourselves as is becoming of His children.