Advocacy Foundation Ministries

ABSTRACT
ADVOCACY
We are a Ecumenical Organization. Our
fundamental values are established upon Biblical
principles. Based on this foundation, we mediate
and resolve societal challenges through
administering significant human services.
FOUNDATION
M
INISTRIES
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FOUNDING MINISTERS OF CONCIL
PASTORS MARK & KAREN MERRILL
PASTORS FRANK & KATHLEEN CROSBY
FOUNDING BOARD CHAIR
MINISTER JOHN C. JOHNSON, III

Advocacy Foundation Ministries, Inc.
"We welcome opportunities/challenges to Transform the Improbable into the Exceptional."
Isaiah 61:1-4 (KJV)
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The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good
tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to
the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the
acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that
mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil
of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called
trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. And they shall
build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the
waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
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Statement of Ministry Accountability
We believe that the Ecumenical Community must be the benchmark of charitable purposes, and
therefore we pledge our fidelity.
PURPOSE
Advocacy Foundation Ministries, Inc. is a dually registered 508(c)(1)(a) nonprofit organization that
exists to provide advocacy based on the foundation of biblical principles applied to law to effect
liberty and justice for All.
VISION
To thrive as a collaborative process of restorative and transformative mediators of goodwill that
values, intervenes, and answers human and environmental depravity disparities, both domestic
and foreign.
MISSION
To provide advocacy and foundational strength to the best interest of society-at-large through
the influence of biblically-lead ministries.
Advocacy Foundation Ministries (AFM) is not a religious organization; we are a Holy Spirit led Christ-
Centered Church defined as follows:
• Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Cor 3:17 (KJV)
• Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon
you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11: 28-30
• Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows
in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:27 (KJV)
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Advocacy Foundation Ministries Defined
Advocacy
Advocacy purposed to assure Transformative and Restorative Justice for all through biblically
founded practices that are valuable to society-at-large.
Foundation
Scriptural Authority
How long will you hand down unjust decisions by favoring the wicked? Selah. Give justice to the poor
and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and helpless;
deliver them from the grasp of evil people. Psalm 82:2-4 (NLT)
These things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the
Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also
for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2 (KJV)
We apply the dynamics of biblical principles to newly forming and established organizations to
assure best practices, transparency, pristine integrity, and charitable accountability to society-atlarge.
Ministries
Scriptural Authority
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ…Therefore whosoever
heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house
upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon
that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 1 Corinthians 3:11, Matthew 7:24-25 (KJV)
A collaborative of interdependent churches/ministries committed to benevolent governance and
charitable purpose.
Scriptural Authority
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and
teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of
Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a
perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more
children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men,
and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow
up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined
together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in
the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians
4:11-16 (KJV)
Ministry Policy
Advocacy Foundation Ministries is an ecumenical Ministry with a calling of service that invites all
those who can affirm the Mission and Cardinal Doctrines to join in its dynamic ministry. The ministers
of Advocacy Foundation Ministries are bound to our ‘QAHAL’ Standards of Conduct, which are
part of the governance documents.
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Leadership Succession is as follows:
‣ Founding Minister *Of Counsel
‣ Senior Minister *Of Counsel
‣ Governance Board of Ministers
o Minister *Of Counsel
• Minister
• Constituent Minister
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*All "Of Counsel" Ministers conduct is required to be reputable per 1 Timothy 3:1-5.
This is a faithful and trustworthy saying: if any man [eagerly] seeks the office of overseer
(bishop, superintendent), he desires an excellent task. Now an overseer must be blameless
and beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable,
hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine, not a bully nor quick-tempered and hotheaded,
but gentle and considerate, free from the love of money [not greedy for wealth
and its inherent power—financially ethical]. He must manage his own household well,
keeping his children under control with all dignity [keeping them respectful and wellbehaved]
(for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he
take care of the church of God?). 1 Tim 3:1-5 (AMP)
Our preference is that "Of Counsel” Ministers are married couples and minister as
husband and wife/family teams.
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To be considered as a ministry candidate, one must be a member of staff/associate in good
standing with Advocacy Foundation Ministries, the community, and (if applicable) referring
church/ministry. Candidates from other churches/ministries will be eligible to apply for Constituent
Membership. Advocacy Foundation Ministries welcomes qualified constituent memberships.
Constituent Membership
The purpose of constituent member enrollment is to confirm one's commitment to the purpose,
vision, mission, OBPA (QAHAL), cardinal doctrines and affiliate with Advocacy Foundation
Ministries' commission. It is also a first step in becoming a commissioned Minister of Counsel or
associate minister after being employed or connected for one year with Advocacy Foundation
Ministries or The Advocacy Foundation, Inc. Those interested in becoming a Minister of
Counsel/confirmed minister or associate minister, must show themselves a faithful member of
God’s Kingdom of the organization and be enrolled as a constituent member for at least six
months before starting the Ministry curriculum.
To be enrolled as a constituent member of Advocacy Foundation Ministries:
1. The candidate will review the Articles of Faith, Cardinal Doctrines, and Mission Statement.
2. If the candidate agrees with the Articles of Faith, Cardinal Doctrines, and Mission
Statement, the candidate will then complete a Constituent Member Enrollment
Application.
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3. Appointment scheduling commences upon application completion and submission, and
the candidate will be enrolled by the Founding Minister(s) Of Counsel or designated
Minister in the affiliate.
Appointed Minister
To be considered for Appointment or Confirmation of Ministry, the member of staff/associate must:
1. Be in good standing as a full-time member of staff/associate or a dedicated volunteer to
be considered for constituent ministry.
2. The individual's motive should be clear to advance the ministry of service of Advocacy
Foundation Ministries and not for personal benefit.
3. The interested candidate must contact the Founding Minister Of Counsel or designee to
make known their interest in the ministry.
4. The Founding Minister Of Counsel or designee will spend time discussing the history, ministry,
and spiritual values of Advocacy Foundation Ministries and The Advocacy Foundation,
Inc. If the candidate has not already enrolled as a constituent member, he or she can do
so during this time of dialog.
5. The candidate will need then a write two (2) letters of intent; one to the Founding Minister
Of Counsel and one to the Governance Board of Ministers.
6. The candidate will then receive a letter from the Governance Board of Ministers confirming
acceptance into the Ministry program.
7. At that time, the candidate will receive an assigned course of study. The course will be
presented based on the candidate's professional bio, education, life experience,
references, and intrinsic values.
8. When the course of study requirements concludes, the candidate will complete an
Application for Appointment and Confirmation.
9. Applications and attachments are due to the Governance Board of Ministers within 15
days after successful completion of the course of study – unless otherwise recommended
by the Governance Board and approved in writing by the Founding Minister Of Counsel.
10. The candidate's ministry packet will be forwarded to the Governing Board, who will review
it and determine if the candidate will be a suitable minister.
11. The candidate will receive a notice of acceptance or denial within 90 days from the date
the application is submitted.
12. The Confirmation of Appointment will take place at Advocacy Foundation Ministries'
annual convention - or at The Advocacy Foundation, Inc. yearly convention, whichever
occurs sooner from the date of acceptance.
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Organizational Best Practices and Accountability
Q A H A L
Quality Allocation Holistic Application Leverage
קָ‏ הָ‏ ל
Q
A
QAHAL – Original Hebrew: קָ‏ הָ‏ ל - Definition: assembly, convocation, congregation.
QAHAL is Advocacy Foundation Ministry's proprietary system of real-time accountability
and governance. The acronym is applied as follows:
Quality
Impeccable integrity in all aspects of service, internal governance, accountabilities,
and socioeconomic interactions: regardless of ethnicity, class, race, or religious belief.
We prioritized liberty and justice for all - compliant to law and administered through
Godly characteristics.
Allocation
Strategies devoted to assuring the equitable allotment of resources to provide and
distribute goods and services accountably and without prejudice.
H
A
L
Holistic
Implementation strategies considerate of extenuating socioeconomic challenges to
assure accurate assessments applied to thoroughly ministering to the universal needs
of all.
Application
Our administrative approach to ensure equity in the distribution of goods and services
Leverage
Power and influence applied through servant-leadership that prioritizes cooperation
and collaboration over competition, humility over pride, and validates authority
through Christlike integrity.
We intentionally chose the Hebrew word "QAHAL" to be an "uncommon" word
in business acronym protocol; God is HOLY (UNCOMMON) and has called and
gifted HIS Church to be likewise.
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Cardinal Doctrines
Our foundation of core values is established upon the teachings and Gospel/Good News as
taught and demonstrated by Jesus Christ. Based on this foundation, we implement Transformative
and Restorative Social Impact and Social Return on Investment initiatives through administering a
unique human services ministry.
Advocacy Foundation Ministries' beliefs and practices align with the Character of Almighty God,
which is LOVE; and (what is popularly known as) the LORD's Prayer; the Beatitudes; the Great
Commission; and the Gospel - Good News of God's Amazing Grace.
1. 1 John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
2. 1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love;
and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
3. Matthew 6:9-13 “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give
us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead
us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, forever. Amen.”
4. Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, “All power is given unto
me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all
things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the
end of the world. Amen.”
Advocacy Foundation Ministries is ecumenical. Our Ministers Of Counsel, Ministers and Constituent
Ministers come from all Christian faith institutions; ministers are encouraged to be active in-service
networking and fellowshipping with others – we are a ministry that provides support to
churches/ministries, and welcomes support from churches/ministries.
Scriptural Authority
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor
female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed,
and heirs according to the promise... “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me,
and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast
sent me.” Galatians 3:28-29, John 17:2
We believe in the One Supreme God: Deuteronomy 4:35,39 — Unto thee it was shown, that thou
mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him. Know therefore this day,
and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth
beneath: there is none else." John 17:3 — "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the
only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
We believe:
1. That God (Elohim) is Triune – The Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. We believe these three
persons are one, are in perfect agreement, are undivided in triune essence, co-equal in
power and glory, and that all men everywhere were created to worship and serve this
Triune God;
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2. The contents of the Bible, in its original form, to have been given by inspiration of God, and
the Scriptures form the Divine rule of Godly faith and Christ-like practice;
3. That Jesus Christ when upon the earth, was indeed man and yet was as truly God -- The
Divine, sinless and human Being blended in the one Being, hence His ability to feel and
suffer as a man and yet supremely love and triumph as the Godhead;
4. That humankind (Adam and Eve) were created in the very image of God (Elohim) and by
the disobedience of Adam sin entered the world; and that the consequence of Adam's
transgression and fall [is that] all humankind is born with a sin nature and consequently
exposed to the wrath of God;
5. That Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, by the sacrifice of His life, made an
atonement for all humankind and that whosoever will call on His Name and accept Him
as LORD and Savior will be born again to eternal salvation;
6. That salvation cannot take place without repentance, which occurs when one recognizes
(is convicted) that they are a sinner and definitively chooses to repent from sin to become
a New Creation in Christ;
7. That a genuinely born-again believer cannot become unborn again because the
Heavenly Father's seed remains in all who are genuinely born again;
8. That one who is genuinely born-again as a new creation in Christ cannot continue living
out their old sinful life because the residency of the Holy Spirit is Greater than one's old sinful
nature;
9. That the Holy Spirit beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God, thus
giving the inward witness and outward testimony of acceptance by God;
10. That the Scriptures teach, urge and Spiritually empowers all Born Again Believers to be
cleansed in the heart from inbred sin, so that they may walk uprightly and serve Him
without fear in Holiness and Righteousness all the days of their lives;
11. That Jesus Christ took upon Himself the sins of all humankind and that upon being born
again, we gain access to the forgiveness of sins, past, present, and future;
12. That there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not
walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit;
13. That a born-again person cannot practice a lifestyle of sin; however, one born again does
sin incidentally due to the ongoing enmity between the flesh and the spirit.
14. That if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And
he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole
world;
15. In the eternal redemption of all who repent and receive God's Salvation through the
finished works of His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, and the eternal damnation of all who
reject this great opportunity of Salvation;
16. That God LOVES all humankind and is not willing that any should perish and has extended
His Forgiveness of sins, Grace, Mercy, and Salvation to whosoever will come and receive
so Great a Salvation.
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