International Missions
Christ For the City International (CFCI) is an international mission organization and a multicultural community of the people of God that shares common values, theology and ministry philosophy and is committed to the multiplication of ministries that impact cities in strategic populations of the world.
Our mission
Helping people transform cities by transforming lives.
Our vision
No place without a witness, no church without a vision, no person without hope.
How we get there
The purpose of CFCI is to build bases that will develop ministries to mobilize people to serve Jesus Christ by serving their city. It is expected that each ministry or program of the base should form itself around the three statements of the vision:
- No Place Without a Witness – ministries that focus on the needs of the community
- No Church Without a Vision – ministries that help the local church clarify and fulfill their vision
- No Person Without Hope – ministries that help provide hope to hurting people
Our DNA
- We believe in one God, Creator and Sustainer of the universe, who eternally exists in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
- We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is fully God and fully man. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for the sins of the world, was raised bodily and exalted to God’s right hand where He makes intercession for His own. He will personally come again.
- We believe that God created humankind, male and female, in His own image. However, all creation suffers the consequences of the fall and is under God’s judgment.
- We believe that God has ordained marriage and defined it as the covenant relationship between one man and one woman. Therefore we will only recognize marriages between one biological man and one biological woman, and sex (gender) is defined by their sexual identity at birth. Gen. 2:18-25
- We believe that because of His love, God sent His Son Jesus Christ, who inaugurated His Kingdom, provided atonement for sin, disarmed the powers and authorities, triumphing over them by the cross, reconciling the world to Himself. He will consummate His Kingdom in righteousness, power, and glory.
- We believe in the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, who glorifies Jesus Christ, working in all peoples to bring them to believe and obey Christ. The Spirit dwells in those who believe, equipping and empowering them for lives of holiness and fruitful service.
- We believe the Bible to be the divinely inspired and authoritative Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice.
- We believe that all who repent and believe in Christ are born into life eternal, delivered from condemnation, and as His Church are called to communicate the Gospel, proclaim the Kingdom, make disciples of all nations, and seek to be instruments of His righteousness, justice, and healing, all to the glory of God.
- We believe in the resurrection of the body, the eternal blessedness of believers in the presence of Christ and the eternal separation of unbelievers from Him.
- The centrality of the Church in God’s plan for the world.
- The importance of the unity of the Body of Christ and the consequent obligations of recognition, love, and cooperation incumbent upon its members, transcending their ecclesiastical relationships and their particular interpretation of nonessential distinctives.
- An openness to the working of the Holy Spirit as He reveals Himself in various ways among God’s people and in the world.
- The primacy of evangelism carried out through the mobilization of the Church, using all believers and resources.
- A clear recognition of the demonstration of Christian love and social responsibility as an aspect of the mission of the Church.
- A recognition of the need of the worldwide Church to express the Gospel in the context of its own cultural background and contemporary situation.
- A commitment to administrative integrity in relation to God, to missionaries, to churches in the Anglo and non-Anglo worlds, to individual constituencies, and to cooperating institutions.
- We aspire to be Christ-like in purpose, character and ministry.
- We are committed to the Word of God and affirm the need to apply its truth to culture, using creative methods and relevant terms.
- We embrace Christ’s Great Commission as our mandate and the Great Commandment as our guide.
- We aspire to grow in our understanding, experience and anointing of the Holy Spirit.
- We aspire to worship God in spirit and in truth.
- We aspire to lead through serving and discipling others.
- We are committed to building the Kingdom of God.
- We are committed to work hard.
- We affirm the family as God’s primary vehicle for the training and nurturing of His children.
- We are committed to helping God’s people find His will for their lives.
- We aspire to live sacrificially for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
History of CFCI
Roots of Christ For the City International
Christ For the City International (CFCI) has its roots in the Latin America Mission (LAM),and has been shaped by the Biblical mandate to reach the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. In fulfilling the goal to evangelize, CFCI, has been an innovative leader in modern mission circles and has become a respected mission agency known for its urban ministry and mission. The fruit of its ministry has played a significant role in the church growth that is now taking place in cities around the world.
CFCI Becomes an Independent Entity
In 1995, the vision, purpose and mission of Christ For the City International were clearly defined and the direction toward an autonomous organization under a separate Board of Commissioners became a reality. Although CFCI remained an affiliated partner with LAM, as an independent entity CFCI was free to grow globally and develop new patterns of ministry.
Leadership
In November of 1995, Paul Landrey, then serving as President and Chief Executive Officer at the Latin America Mission, responded to the call to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the new Christ For the City International. Along with Vice President John Huffman, CFCI began to formalize its structures and strategies and added many national missionaries to its ranks.
In July of year 2000 Dr. Duane “Chip” Anderson assumed the role of president and Chief Executive Officer of CFCI. Dr. Anderson had previously served with LAM and joined CFCI after 18 years of missionary service.
Under the leadership of these men, CFCI embarked on its new focus to develop a mission organization that would focus on the cities of the world. What had begun as an urban ministry thrust in Latin America in 1983 is now reaching into over 16 countries of Central and South America, Europe, Africa and the USA with many international missionaries, most of whom are not North Americans.
CFCI Moves to Omaha, Nebraska
In March of 1997, the CFCI International office relocated from Miami, Florida to Omaha, Nebraska where the Central Office is currently located.