Ministers Fellowship International (MFI)-
Portland, Oregon
Ministers Fellowship International (MFI) began as an organization in 1986 in response to a pressing need among pastors and leaders of independent churches for a sense of covering, accountability, identity and connection.
Pastor Dick Iverson, who at the time was the pastor of Bible Temple (now City Bible Church in Portland, Oregon) was meeting many pastors and church leaders who felt like they were alone. They had a distinct vision, a common value system and doctrinal distinctives that were compatible, but, apart from joining a traditional denomination, there was no vehicle through which they could associate themselves with other like minded leaders. In response to this cry, MFI was established to be that vehicle. MFI is an independent corporation set up for the sole purpose of linking ministers to ministers. It was established distinctly to provide for the strengthening of ministers all the while maintaining a high regard for the autonomy of every local church.
MFI provides an atmosphere where ministers of like vision can join together, minister to each other and find accountability, relationship, resources and apostolic assistance, and where their congregations can find identity on a national and international level.
MFI is not a denomination. It is a fellowship. For this reason, MFI does not credential ministries, hold church properties or maintain a central mission board. All of these are functions of the local church. MFI exists for the support of local church ministries and their churches. MFI has grown worldwide into a fellowship of approximately 350 churches.