Statement Of Faith

“Jesus replied, ‘You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.’” Matthew 22:29

Introduction 

In March of 1996 I sat with my wife, Holly and our two children by the South China Sea and listened to a man share his personal testimony of Jesus. He had recently been released from prison where he had been held for many years simply for proclaiming that God is real, the Bible is true, and that believing in Jesus, the Son of God, is the only way to receive forgiveness for sin and assurance of a place in Heaven when you die. I had heard all of these things before, and I believed them. But this man spoke in a way that changed my life forever.

 

He shared the miraculous ways that God had worked through his life with signs and wonders, as well as many accounts of suffering along the way. God had used him to launch 400 house churches, and he made the Bible come alive with his personal stories of evangelism that sounded exactly like the stories in the Book of Acts. And his knowledge of the Bible and his intimacy with the living God was deeper than anyone I had ever met. He made me realize that much of what I thought and believed about God was too limited and maybe even wrong. The only way I knew to change that was to start reading the Bible more seriously, this time asking God to show me the truth of every single book, chapter, story, and word. I wanted to experience the power of God – and I invited Him to use me however He wanted.

One year later, just as I completed reading the Bible from cover to cover for the first time, I began to experience signs, wonders, miracles, healings, and, the deliverance from demons – just like in the Bible. Many people thought that I was crazy as I spoke about these things – especially about driving out demons! In fact, it was nearly nine years before I found someone, Bernard Chan, who really believed the same way, and was willing to minister to me, teach me and walk with me. By the time I had completed reading the Bible the 10th time, God led us to launch Isaiah 61 Ministries. This booklet was prepared to review briefly the history of the ministry, define our guiding principles and goals, and summarize our Statement of Faith.

Roger H. Ford, Founder and Overseer,
Isaiah 61 Ministries

… For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.…Acts 4:20

 

WHO WE ARE? 

Mission Statement

It is the mission of Isaiah 61 Ministries, (I-61) to continue the ministry of Jesus, who, as prophesied in Isaiah 61:1-4, and fulfilled in Luke 4:17-19, came to release his followers from the bondage of satanic oppression. (See Acts 10:38.) 

History and Organization

Isaiah 61 Ministries (a/k/a Isaiah 61 and I-61) is a free church, founded by a Declaration made in the city of Harrisonburg, County of Rockingham, Commonwealth of Virginia, USA on June 30, 2010. Isaiah 61 is a ministry of the one true Church headed by Jesus Christ. Isaiah 61 was organized as a Covenant Community (see Acts chapters 2&4), with a vision to establish satellite I-61 Covenant Communities meeting in other locations. 

(See Matthew. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:45-48; John 21:21; and Acts 1:8.)

Isaiah 61 Ministries, (free church) was born out of an earlier work of similar name, Isaiah 61 Ministries, Inc., which was created in 2005 and incorporated in 2006 with the mission to continue the ministry of Jesus, who, as prophesied in Isaiah 61:1-4, and fulfilled in Luke 4:17-19, came to release His followers from the bondage of satanic oppression. Several years of ministry under the former organization led to the realization that a house church initiative was necessary (and already occurring organically), as persons who had received ministry from Isaiah 61 were forming their own Covenant Communities for the purpose of koinonia (intimate fellowship), worship, spiritual growth, personal accountability, and Christian outreach. Isaiah 61 Ministries (free church) continues the work pioneered by the predecessor. 

I-61 organization, but also takes the next step of creating Covenant Community (communities). I-61 Covenant Communities are committed to follow Jesus’ mandate to preach the Kingdom of God, heal the sick, and drive out evil spirits (Jesus’ PHD), see Luke 9:1-2 and 10:2+17, Matthew 10:1, Mark 6:7.

Isaiah 61 Ministries is governed by a Church Council according to its By-Laws. These By-Laws provide guidelines for appointing ministers, elders, deacons and missionaries (see Titus 1 and 1 Timothy 3), accepting and discipleship of new members, church discipline, settling disputes and handling disagreements (see Matthew 18:15-17 and 1 Corinthians 5-6). The Church Council also approves procedures for collecting offerings, banking, making purchases, meeting schedules and orders of worship, church ordinances (baptisms, baby dedications, communion, foot washing and marriage ceremonies), outreach activities and pastoral functions on behalf of the membership. All activities of Isaiah 61 Ministries and its appointed Council and other Leaders shall be guided by the Holy Bible (66 books) and the prayerfully-sought counsel of the Holy Spirit.

 

Guiding Principles 

Isaiah 61 Ministries was established upon three Guiding Principles which the founder, Roger Ford felt the Holy Spirit had placed on his heart:

1. You cannot give what you have not received. People need to receive both salvation and sanctification (spiritual maturity and freedom, i.e., breaking curses, healing and deliverance) through Jesus Christ in order to fully realize and walk in the plans that God intends for each person in the world. As the founder began walking in the deliverance ministry, he realized that many Christians were spiritually oppressed by demonic forces, yet, their own pastors were unable to help them because they themselves had not personally experienced a personal deliverance and/or healing, nor did they believe that this part of Jesus' ministry is still pertinent and applicable today. Salvation: Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 15:3. Sanctification: Luke 8:1-2; Mark 16:9; Timothy 2:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, 5:23; Acts 26:18; Colossians 3:5; 2 Peter 3:18; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 4:24; 2 Corinthians 7:1.

2. In order to keep what Jesus gives to you, you must be willing to testify and share it with others, or you may lose it. The founder also noticed that some people, after receiving a healing or deliverance, quickly lost it. Those who continued to walk in healing and deliverance, and, especially those who testified and helped others, were the ones who seemed to benefit the most. Matthew 10:33, 26:26-27; Mark 5:19; Revelation 12:11. 

3. The laws of headship and community. In order to grow and thrive in the life of a true Christian, one must be under the authority of a Godly shepherd (minister/ministry team) and walk in an honest, transparent community with a like-minded group of believers. This community is especially important as one embarks upon the deliverance journey to avoid the possibility of becoming discouraged, or even fall backward, should church leaders and others express doubts or unbelief about the person's freedom or healing experience. If a ministry receiver has no one to share with about their experience (for fear of rejection or ridicule), they may become isolated, and revert to following a powerless Christianity. Bible verses: Under Authority: Romans 13:1; Titus 3:1; Hebrews 13:17. Covenant Community: 1 Corinthians 15:33; Hebrews 10:25; Matthew 18:20; Romans 12:5; 1 Peter 4:10.

The Specific Goals of Isaiah 61 Ministries are:

1. To offer intercessory prayer, including prayers for healing and deliverance to Christians and sincere seekers who acknowledge their need to break free from generational curses, personal sin patterns, unhealed wounds and traumas, and other forms of demonic oppression.

2. To establish and support Koinonia fellowships (Covenant Communities) for those who have received prayer ministry to help them maintain and grow deeper in their freedom and healing through Christ, and to grow in Kingdom living (i.e., living in a righteous and Godly way with God and others) after receiving prayer ministry.

3. To evangelize the lost and luke-warm believers who are not walking closely with the Lord in the freedom Jesus came to give us. We evangelize both individually and through community, especially through the ministry of spiritual warfare and Kingdom living discipleship. We encourage business as missions and other creative approaches to evangelism of our members, and also Christian education initiatives to support our member families.

4. To disciple those who desire to learn about and grow deeper in the areas of spiritual warfare, deliverance and healing prayers, and who desire to serve in ministry with Isaiah 61.

5. To provide research and help disseminate knowledge in the field of spiritual warfare through books, monographs, articles, training materials and translations.

 

How We Meet 

The governing authority of I-61 is the Church Council meets and fulfills its duties and responsibilities according to its approved by-laws. The leadership teams of local Covenant Communities (Ministers, Elders and Deacons) make their own meeting schedules for accountability and to conduct the work of the Ministry. Local Covenant Community Groups are encouraged to meet according to their own needs and the schedules of their members.

While there is no set requirement for regular meetings, members are encouraged to keep regular contact with the group, or, in sub-groupings for fellowship, accountability, to share testimonies, prayer requests, etc. According to the Scriptural admonition to not give up meeting together. (Hebrews 10:25).

Members can be removed from Covenant Community for either unrepentant moral failure or lack of attendance/participation in Community activities, following an approved process. Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5:11-12; Proverbs 27:23.

Membership in the Isaiah 61 Covenant Community

Covenant relationship requires trust, sharing, and accountability to others within the Covenant Community. Membership in Isaiah 61 Ministries Covenant Community is limited to persons who have already received deliverance and healing prayers through Isaiah 61. The process begins with the completion and submission of a detailed personal and ancestral Ministry Application, explained in our booklet, Preparing For Your Deliverance.

The process continues and deepens during a period of follow-up prayer, explained in our booklet, Walking Out Your Deliverance. Membership in the Isaiah 61 Covenant Community is voluntary and involves covenant relationship, confirmed by the signing and acceptance of a Covenant Community Membership Application Form. Signed membership is considered essential for two reasons: first, to avoid the problem of double-mindedness (i.e., multiple or no real church memberships), and, second, to establish clear spiritual authority (I.e., to avoid potential accountability gaps and authority conflicts). Covenant relationship can be local (belonging to a local Covenant Community), corporate (relationship with the overall I-61 Ministry such as charter (founding) members, council members, and I-61 missionaries), or at-large individual (virtual) memberships (such as small Covenant Communities connected by the internet) for persons desiring to be part of our community where no local covenant community group may exist. For more information on Covenant Communities, see our booklet, Walking In Covenant Community.

 

STATEMENT OF FAITH 

What We Believe

  1. We believe that the Holy Bible (66 books) is the Divinely-inspired and true Word of God, without error and completely trustworthy.  It contains all we need to know for righteousness and Godly living (Kingdom Living).  2 Timothy 3:16-17, John 1:1.

  2. We believe there is only one God, who has always existed in three persons, Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit.  Matthew 28:19.  He is the creator and ruler of the entire universe, and holds everything together by His divine power.  Colossians 1:16-17.

  3. We believe that, before God created the visible universe (the heavens and the earth), He ruled over an invisible realm inhabited by angels.  One of these angels, Lucifer, rebelled against God and was thrown down to the earth, along with one third of the angels, who followed him into rebellion.  Lucifer was renamed Satan.  Ezekiel 28:17; Luke 10:18; Rev. 12:9.

  4. We believe that after God created the earth he created Mankind (male and female) in the image of God.  Genesis 1:27.  Man was created higher than the angels (i.e., “a little lower than God”), and was given dominion over the earth and every living creature.  Psalm 8:5, Genesis 1:26.

  5. We believe that Mankind rebelled against God by violating His command not to eat fruit from the Tree of Knowledge.  The woman was encouraged into this rebellion (sin) by the temptation and twisting of truth by Satan, while the man, Adam, stood by saying nothing.  Genesis 3:1-6.  The fall of man resulted in Mankind forfeiting dominion of the earth to Satan, as well as other specific curses upon men, women, and their relationships.  Genesis 3:16-19; Luke 4:5-7.

  6. We believe that God planned a way for Mankind to be forgiven and reconciled back into right-relationship with Himself by sending Jesus, God’s only Son, to rescue all who would believe in Him and accept his free gift of salvation and eternal life.  Genesis 3:14-15, “So God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this, cursed are you …And I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your offspring and hers.’” See also Isaiah 7:14; 9:2-7; John 1:1-14; Acts: 10:38.

  7. We believe Jesus came to the earth (fully God, fully man), was miraculously born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-23), lived a perfect life (no sin), was accused and punished for sins he did not commit, taking the place of sinners who would believe in Him, died and rose again, providing the means for our sins to be forgiven, curses broken, our bodies, souls and spirits healed, and the power to cast out evil spirits from ourselves and from others.  Specifically, We believe that Jesus came to do (at least) five specific things for those who choose to follow Him. 

    We call this The Full 5/5ths Gospel.

    7.1. We believe Jesus’ blood was shed for our sins. Mt. 26:28, “This is the blood of the covenant which is poured out for the forgiveness of sins.”

    7.2. We believe that the same resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead will also provide eternal life for those who trust in Him. Romans 8:11, “And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who lives in you.”

    7.3. We believe that Jesus died a very specific kind of death, crucifixion, in order to break every curse that afflicts us. Galatians 3:13, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’”

    7.4. We believe that Jesus was beaten before He was crucified in order to provide a way for us to be fully healed. Isaiah 53:5, “... and by His stripes we are healed.”

    7.5. We believe that Jesus gives all believers the right to use His power and authority to drive out demons and engage in spiritual warfare. Luke 9:1, “He gave them power and authority to drive out all demons.” Engaging in spiritual warfare, both for self and to help others, should be normative in the life of mature believers. Mark 16:17; Luke 10:20.

  8. We believe that it is God’s plan for everyone who believes in Him to receive both Salvation from Jesus, and also freedom from the power of the devil, in order to be equipped to take the Good News of Jesus to everyone in the world.  Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:17-18  Those who do not accept God's free gift of salvation through Jesus will face judgment and eternal punishment in hell.  Daniel 12:2; Matthew 13:40-43; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:11-15

  9. We believe that God loves all people, in every nation, tribe and community.  Therefore, He desires that everyone would come to know Him, accept His free gift of eternal life, and enter into His Kingdom.  John 3:16.

  10. We believe in the sovereignty of God, Who, ultimately decides all things according to His perfect knowledge and foreknowledge.  Proverbs 16:33; Isaiah 45:7-9; Ephesians 1:11; Colosians 1:16-17.

  11. We believe that God gives every person the free will to decide whether or not to believe and obey Him, and to accept God's gifts of salvation and freedom, through Jesus.  Genesis 2:17; Joshua 24:15; Mark 8:34; Revelation 3:20.

  12. We believe that God sends His Holy Spirit to dwell in all believers (Christ in you," Colossians 1:27), to be our Counselor to guide and empower us to carry out God’s purposes for our lives.  John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 12:7

  13. We believe that the Holy Spirit gives gifts to Jesus' followers according to God's plans to equip each believer to serve His Kingdom.  Romans 12:8-10; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10; 1 Peter 4:11.

  14. We believe that God created Mankind (one race, the Human race,) in two genders, male and female.  The man was created first and given headship over his wife and family.  The woman, equally loved and valued by God, was created to complete the man as his helpmeet, under his authority.  Genesis 2:18, 20-22; Numbers 30; 1 Corinthians 11:8-12; Ephesians 5:22-24; Colossians 3:11,18; 1 Peter 3:, Galatians 3:28.

  15. We believe that God creates each person with purpose, both general (to work, to love, worship and honor God, to procreate, etc.), Genesis 2:15; Exodus 20:1-6; Psalm 29:1-2; Ecclesiastes 12:13; Malachi 1:6; Matthew 22:36-37; Genesis 1:28, and, specific (unique to each individual), Jeremiah 29:11.

  16. We believe that God’s purpose in creation was to have Godly offspring (children who loved God and related to Him in obedience) who would fill the earth and subdue it.  Genesis 1:28, Malachi 2:15.  

  17. We believe that marriage is intended by God to be a holy covenant between one man and one woman, for life.  Genesis 2:24; Malachi 2:16; Matthew 5:32; 

  18. We believe that God blesses sexual intimacy for couples who are committed to each other under the covenant of marriage.  Genesis 2:25; Song of Songs 5:1; 1 Corinthians 7:3-6; All other sexual activity outside of this covenant, both heterosexual and homosexual, is considered sinful and forbidden by God.  Leviticus 20:10-20; Acts 15:29; 1 Corinthians 7:2;

  19. We believe in the sanctity of life, which begins at conception.  Therefore, abortion is sin and Christians should strive to protect the life of the pre-born.  Job 10:8-12; Psalm 119:73, 139:13-16; Isaiah 49:1+5; Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:44.

  20. We believe in the importance of making disciples who serve the Lord in mission, work, and in the family.  Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Thessalonians 2:8-9, 3:6-15; 1 Timothy 3:1-5.

  21. We believe in training men and women in preparation for marriage and for raising children who know, love, and serve the Lord, Jesus Christ. Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Psalm 119:9-16; Ephesians 5:22-33, 6:1-4; Titus 2:1-8; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7.

  22. We believe that God is a God of order and authority, and just as He placed the family in order, under the authority of the husband/father, God also places men in positions of authority over His Church.  Therefore, we believe that only men are called to be pastors, elders and deacons in the church.  1 Corinthians 14:40; 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1:5-9; 1 Timothy 2:12.  The leaders of the church should also be under the mutual authority of each other.  Acts 1:20-26; 1 Corinthians 14:40; Ephesians 5:21.

  23. We believe that God divinely determined the roles of men and women as He intended.  While men are called to be the leaders, We believe that women are equally loved by God and of equal importance in the church, the family and in society.  We believe that the influence of Godly women is of great value and desperately needed in the world today.  As Paul explains, "Teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.  Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the Word of God." Titus 2:3-5.

  24. We believe in adult (believers’) baptism (submersion) for those old and mature enough to understand the Gospel, repent, and place their faith in Jesus.  It is a public declaration (made before community and/or witnesses) of a covenant of intent to walk in the way of Jesus, under the power of the Holy Spirit.  Matthew 28:19-20.  While we do not believe that baptism is necessary for salvation, ("If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9); however, it is a vital step of sanctification (spiritual maturity and understanding) and a sign of identification with and allegiance to Jesus Christ and His Church.  Acts 8:34-39.  An example of one saved without baptism is the thief on the cross, Luke 23:43. 

  25. We believe in dedicating children to the Lord (not children’s baptism), as a sign that the parents desire their children to follow the Lord, and as a public expression of their commitment to raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.  Deuteronomy 6:4-9; I Samuel 1:24-28.