AFPCAM: MISSIONARY DOCTRINE AND CONDUCT STANDARD
AFPCAM stands within historic, conservative, Bible-believing Christianity. We draw theological sympathy from the Reformed and Puritan stream of Christian witness, including the Waldensians, the Bohemian and Moravian Brethren, the Scottish Covenanters, the persecuted Huguenots of France, the martyrs remembered in Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, the Congregationalists, Pilgrims, and Puritans, and faithful men such as Matthew Henry, John Bunyan, Isaac Watts, Jonathan Edwards, David Brainerd, George Whitefield, Charles Spurgeon, and Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.
In the modern day, AFPCAM deeply appreciates the Deeper Life Bible Church and Deeper Christian Life Ministry, founded by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi, as a mother-church tradition from which AFPCAM adapted its doctrinal framework. Nevertheless, AFPCAM’s final authority is not any denomination, preacher, tradition, council, or human movement, but the Holy Scriptures alone.
Bible Doctrines Believed by AFPCAM
AFPCAM receives the following doctrines as a concise framework for Christian belief, missionary formation, holiness, and eternal readiness.
1. The Holy Bible
The 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament are the inspired Word of God and the final authority for faith, doctrine, worship, conduct, family life, missionary work, church life, and service to God.
Key Scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Proverbs 30:5-6; Revelation 22:18-19.
2. The Godhead
There is one true and living God, eternally existing in three distinct Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; co-equal, co-eternal, and perfectly united as one God.
Key Scriptures: Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 1:1-3; John 10:30.
3. The Virgin Birth, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, lived sinlessly, died substitutionarily, was buried, rose bodily, ascended into heaven, and now ministers at the right hand of the Father.
Key Scriptures: Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Timothy 2:5.
4. Total Depravity, Sinfulness, and Guilt of All Men
All people are sinners by nature and practice because of the Fall, spiritually dead, guilty before God, and unable to save themselves apart from the grace of God in Christ.
Key Scriptures: Psalm 51:5; Job 14:4; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12-17; Mark 7:21-23; Ephesians 2:1-3.
5. Repentance
Repentance is a sincere turning away from sin toward God, including conviction of sin, godly sorrow, confession, forsaking of sin, and turning to God through Jesus Christ.
Key Scriptures: Proverbs 28:13; Isaiah 55:7; Ezekiel 18:21-23; Mark 1:15; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; 2 Corinthians 7:10.
6. Restitution
Restitution is the biblical duty of making right the wrongs committed against others as far as possible, lawful, wise, and consistent with Scripture.
Key Scriptures: Exodus 22:1-7; Leviticus 6:1-7; Numbers 5:6-8; Proverbs 6:30-31; Ezekiel 33:14-16; Matthew 5:23-24; Luke 19:8-9; Acts 24:16.
7. Justification
Justification is God’s gracious act of forgiving, pardoning, and declaring the repentant sinner righteous through faith in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, not by human works or merit.
Key Scriptures: Psalm 32:1-2; Isaiah 1:18; Micah 7:19; Acts 13:38-39; Romans 3:24-26; Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:8-9.
8. Water Baptism
Water baptism is an act of obedience for true believers, administered by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, symbolizing union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.
Key Scriptures: Matthew 28:19; Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:38-39; Romans 6:4-5.
9. The Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper is to be observed reverently by believers in remembrance of Christ’s sacrificial death until He comes, with self-examination and holy fear.
Key Scriptures: Matthew 26:26-29; Luke 22:17-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-30.
10. Entire Sanctification
God calls believers to purity of heart and holiness of life through the sanctifying work of Christ and the operation of the Holy Spirit, affecting conduct, speech, dress, family life, ministry, and business.
Key Scriptures: John 17:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 7-8; 1 Thessalonians 5:22-24; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:14-16; 1 John 1:7.
11. Holy Ghost Baptism
The baptism in the Holy Ghost is the enduement of power from on high upon the sanctified believer for witness, service, boldness, prayer, holiness, and effective ministry.
Key Scriptures: Matthew 3:11; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:5-8; Acts 2:1-18; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 19:1-6; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 1 Corinthians 14:1-40.
12. Redemption, Healing, and Health
Christ’s redemption provides forgiveness, deliverance, healing, and divine care; believers should also walk in wisdom, cleanliness, temperance, medical responsibility, and stewardship of the body.
Key Scriptures: Exodus 15:26; Psalm 103:1-5; Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17; 1 Peter 2:24; James 5:14-16; Galatians 3:13-14; 3 John 2.
13. Personal Evangelism
Every believer is called to bear witness to Christ, preach the Gospel, win souls, pray for the lost, disciple believers, and participate in the Great Commission.
Key Scriptures: Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-49; Acts 1:8; Psalm 126:5-6; Proverbs 11:30; Daniel 12:3; Ezekiel 3:17-21.
14. Marriage
Marriage is a sacred covenant instituted by God between one man and one woman, binding for life, with purity before marriage and faithfulness within marriage.
Key Scriptures: Genesis 2:24; Malachi 2:14-15; Matthew 5:31-32; Matthew 19:3-9; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18; Romans 7:2-3; Ephesians 5:31-33.
15. The Rapture
Christ will catch away the living saints and those who died in Him; believers must live soberly, watchfully, prayerfully, and in holiness.
Key Scriptures: John 14:1-3; Luke 21:34-36; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:4-9; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 John 3:1-3.
16. The Resurrection of the Dead
All people will be raised: the righteous unto life and glory, and the wicked unto shame and judgment. Christ’s resurrection is the foundation and guarantee of the believer’s hope.
Key Scriptures: Job 19:25-27; Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29; 1 Corinthians 15:12-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-16; Revelation 20:4-6, 12-13.
17. The Great Tribulation
After the Rapture, a period of terrible suffering, judgment, deception, and distress will come upon the earth, calling believers to watchfulness, holiness, evangelism, and readiness.
Key Scriptures: Matthew 24:21-22, 29; Mark 13:19; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12; Revelation 13:1-10; Revelation 19:1-10.
18. The Second Coming of Christ
Jesus Christ will return literally, visibly, gloriously, and powerfully to judge evil, establish righteousness, and reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Key Scriptures: Zechariah 14:3-4; Matthew 25:31-46; Matthew 26:64; Mark 13:24-37; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Jude 14-15.
19. Christ’s Millennial Reign
Christ will reign on earth for 1,000 years in peace, righteousness, justice, and glory, and Satan will be bound.
Key Scriptures: Revelation 20:2-3; Isaiah 11:6-9; Isaiah 65:25; Zechariah 14:9-20; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Jude 14-15.
20. The Great White Throne Judgment
The wicked dead will stand before God and be judged according to their works; all whose names are not found in the Book of Life will be cast into the lake of fire.
Key Scriptures: Daniel 12:2-3; John 5:28-29; Romans 14:12; 2 Peter 2:9; Jude 6; Revelation 20:11-15.
21. The New Heaven and the New Earth
God will create a New Heaven and a New Earth wherein righteousness dwells, and the redeemed shall dwell with Him forever without sin, sorrow, death, pain, or separation.
Key Scriptures: Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 21:1-7; Revelation 22:1-5; 1 John 3:2-3.
22. Hell
Hell is real, eternal, conscious punishment for the devil, his angels, and all who die without salvation in Christ; this doctrine compels urgent, compassionate evangelism.
Key Scriptures: Psalm 9:17; Matthew 25:41, 46; Luke 12:4-5; Luke 16:19-31; Mark 9:43-47; Revelation 14:10-11; Revelation 20:10-15.
Missionary Conduct Standards
Every AFPCAM worker, missionary, student, fellow, volunteer, leader, and partner is expected to live as a visible witness of Jesus Christ. The mission standard is not mere efficiency, talent, education, or usefulness, but holiness, discipline, humility, accountability, and Christian testimony.
- Personal holiness: upright, modest, disciplined living according to Scripture.
- Born-again requirement: sensitive mission roles are for truly converted believers who uphold biblical standards, subject to applicable law.
- Prayer and devotion: daily personal devotion, corporate prayer, Scripture reading, worship, and regular fellowship.
- Vocation as ministry: every lawful task should be done as service unto God.
- Separation from worldliness: gambling, betting, secular nightlife, immoral entertainment, pornography, drugs, drunkenness, occult practices, and sensual conduct are rejected.
- Financial integrity: no theft, ghost workers, cash leakage, fake invoices, hidden subsidies, misuse of property, or weak accounting.
- Anti-nepotism: admissions, scholarships, employment, housing, and leadership must not be controlled by family pressure, politics, favoritism, or donor influence.
- Safeguarding: children, students, fellows, prisoners, patients, and vulnerable persons must be protected by clear rules, supervision, documentation, and prompt escalation of concerns.
Discipline: correction may include private admonition, reprimand, suspension, reassessment, restitution, dismissal, expulsion, legal referral, or other lawful action according to the seriousness of the matter.
Dress Code Philosophy
AFPCAM teaches that appearance communicates before words are spoken. Clothing does not save the soul, but it often becomes the first public testimony others receive concerning character, convictions, values, and identity.
“The way we dress is the way we will be addressed.”
Moses was a Hebrew, yet the daughters of Reuel described him as “an Egyptian” because his outward appearance communicated an identity before he explained himself. AFPCAM therefore teaches that missionaries must dress in a way that honors God, reflects holiness, avoids sensuality and vanity, preserves biblical distinction, and identifies us as followers of Jesus Christ rather than imitators of the spirit of the age. See Exodus 2:18-19.
AFPCAM does not teach that salvation is obtained by clothing. Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone. Nevertheless, genuine Christian faith should affect every area of life, including appearance.
Dress Code for Sisters
Sisters are expected to dress in modest, feminine, dignified, neat, clean, and distinctly Christian attire. AFPCAM does not permit sisters serving under the mission to wear clothing understood by the mission as masculine attire, including trousers, men’s suits, men’s shirts designed and worn as male apparel, or other clothing that blurs the distinction between men and women.
Approved clothing includes long or modestly cut gowns, skirts of appropriate length, modest blouses, dresses designed for women, and feminine professional attire consistent with mission standards. Clothing must not be tight-fitting, transparent, revealing, sensual, excessively fashionable, or designed to attract attention to the body.
Sisters should cover their heads during prayer and public worship. They are discouraged from earrings, necklaces worn for adornment, cosmetic painting of fingernails, excessive cosmetics, tattooing, extravagant ornamentation, and other adornments that draw unnecessary attention to the individual. The primary beauty of a Christian woman should be holiness, humility, good works, and a meek and quiet spirit.
Dress Code for Brothers
Brothers must dress and present themselves in a way that reflects biblical masculinity, modesty, simplicity, sobriety, and Christian dignity. They must not wear clothing, hairstyles, accessories, cosmetics, or adornments that blur the distinction between men and women.
Brothers are not permitted to wear jeans, especially torn, ripped, distressed, tight, or worldly-styled jeans. They must not wear skirts, blouses, feminine tops, tight or revealing clothing, chains, pendants, necklaces, bangles, earrings, caps worn backward in a careless or rebellious manner, or shoes designed to imitate worldly entertainers.
Brothers must not plait, braid, or style their hair in a feminine manner; apply substances to create feminine curls or artificial worldly styles; paint lips; fix or paint nails; tattoo the body; or present themselves in any way that imitates feminine appearance or worldly fashion culture. Hair should be neat, modest, masculine, and well kept. Beards should be well shaved or neatly trimmed.
Responsible Use of Social Media
AFPCAM permits members to use lawful social media platforms, but teaches that unnecessary exposure can corrupt the mind, weaken spiritual life, waste time, injure mental health, and distract from prayer and mission. The less unnecessary social media exposure a missionary has, the better for spiritual focus, mental health, and missionary usefulness.
Missionaries are prohibited from becoming social media activists. They should not be known for political activism, cultural activism, ideological campaigns, commentary on events of the day, online outrage, or public arguments. We are pilgrims on earth and ambassadors of Christ.
“For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. — 1 Corinthians 2:2, KJV”
Missionaries may privately discuss politics with family or trusted friends. They are encouraged, where lawfully eligible, to register and vote according to conscience. However, a missionary who desires active partisan politics, political campaigns, political office, or public political activism should resign from missionary service and pursue that path independently, without representing AFPCAM.
Members should speak publicly mainly about Christ, Scripture, evangelism, missions, Christian living, and matters related to their profession where they are competent, such as medicine, law, engineering, education, agriculture, or finance. Missionaries must not comment carelessly about ongoing mission projects, internal plans, finances, land matters, secret projects, future intentions, leadership deliberations, confidential strategies, or sensitive operational details.
Institutional Guardrails
AFPCAM’s growth must be disciplined. The mission must build only what it can govern, feed, staff, audit, maintain, and spiritually protect. It must avoid uncontrolled debt, vanity architecture, franchising, weak accounting, fake products, clinical negligence, family-politics capture, unsafe childcare, and spiritual drift.
The School of Origen motto summarizes the operating philosophy: Building men, not monuments. Success is measured first by faithfulness, holiness, safety, truth, accountability, clean accounts, disciplined staff, protected students, ethical healthcare, honest products, careful charity, and alumni who serve Christ.
For Intending and Serving Missionaries
Anyone seeking to serve under AFPCAM should prayerfully examine this doctrine and conduct standard before interview, application, or continued service. Missionary service under AFPCAM requires agreement with its Christian identity, doctrine, moral standards, dress code, social-media discipline, and institutional philosophy.
Existing missionaries should review these standards regularly and affirm them honestly. Those who no longer believe or accept AFPCAM’s doctrine and standards should withdraw honorably rather than continue in secret disagreement, rebellion, or dilution of the mission’s founding convictions.
Final Exhortation
AFPCAM desires to raise believers who know Christ, preach Christ, live for Christ, dress for Christ, speak for Christ, work for Christ, suffer for Christ if necessary, and await His glorious appearing.