Mission Statement:
The International Conference on Missions (ICOM) exists to Encourage, Equip and Enlist workers for the Harvest.
Our extensive international conference serves as a connection point for global missions but we are more than a five day event.
ICOM is 365 – telling God’s stories, providing resources and uniting the world with missions!
THE HISTORY AND DOCTRINAL BELIEFS OF ICOM
The International Conference on Missions began in 1948 as the National Missionary Convention of the Christian Churches/Church of Christ (NMC). In 1950 the NMC met on its own for the first time. What started as a conference for missionaries has grown to include thousands of people of all ages who are interested and involved in world missions. In 2012 the name was changed to the International Conference on Missions (ICOM) to better describe the conference.
ICOM has its roots in what is known in church history as The Restoration Movement that began in the early 19th century. This movement seeks the unity of all Christians based on the authority of the Bible for the evangelization of the world. ICOM recognizes that creeds and confessions of faith have at times been more divisive than unifying, but in light of its commitment to Scripture, ICOM believes that agreement on basic matters of faith is essential to carry out its mission.
THEREFORE, WE AFFIRM THE FOLLOWING:
GOD: There is one, holy God who eternally exists in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is the creator of all things, both visible and invisible.
JESUS: Jesus Christ is God’s only begotten Son, born of a virgin, fully divine and fully human. He is our Savior and Lord. Jesus, who is without sin, died in our place a substitutionary death on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. He was bodily resurrected in victory over sin and death. He ascended to the right hand of the Father where He presently reigns as our king, high priest, and advocate until His glorious return.
HOLY SPIRIT: The Holy Spirit is fully divine and active in the church and the world. The Holy Spirit draws all people to Christ by illuminating the gospel and convicting of sin. The Holy Spirit dwells in the life of a believer to transform, guide, assure, and empower living a fruitful Christian life.
THE BIBLE: God is revealed in the Bible, the uniquely, inspired, written Word of God and infallible in all it affirms. The Bible is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice.
HUMANITY: God created all humans, male and female, in His image; and therefore, all people have intrinsic value and purpose. By the sin of the first man and woman, death entered the world. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, alienated from God and without hope apart from the blood of Jesus Christ.
SALVATION: Salvation can be found in Christ alone and is offered to all by grace through faith. A saving faith is demonstrated through repentance, confession, baptism by immersion, and a life of obedience.
CHURCH: The church is the body of Christ on earth, with Christ as the head. God’s church is comprised of a priesthood of all believers, serving as ministers of the gospel according to the gifts which God has given them. Together the church is called to make disciples of all nations until Christ returns.
RETURN OF CHRIST: Christ will visibly return to restore creation and judge the world. There will be a bodily resurrection for the believers to eternal life with God in heaven; and for the unbelievers to eternal judgment in hell. In heaven, sin will be no more, and those in Christ will live in fellowship with God forever.
THE CONSTITUENCY OF ICOM
The primary constituency of ICOM consists of individuals and churches from the previously mentioned Restoration Movement, commonly known as Independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ. Such churches prefer to be known as “Christians only” and make no claim of being the “only Christians.” These churches are known not only by their affirmation of the stated beliefs, but by their congregational autonomy. This means ICOM has no authority outside of the choice of individual Christians and churches to support and participate in the conference. These churches baptize believers by immersion and practice weekly participation in the Lord’s Supper, both of which were the practices of the church in the Bible.
While the primary support of and participation in ICOM comes from the constituency as described, it is open to all who share our vision for the evangelization of the world. However, its leadership is and will be limited only to those who affirm the beliefs previously stated, and are part of the churches and/or parachurch organizations which make up the constituency as described.