CONSTITUTION

CONSTITUTION
OF
ONGOING AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST

Athens, Illinois 62613 March 1, 1980
Revised July 1987
Updated January 1991, July 1992, July 1993
Revised July 1997
Revised July 21, 2000

PREAMBLE
It is the will of our Lord Jesus Christ that His disciples should preach the Gospel to the whole world (Mark 16:16, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8).
Therefore, we, a number of Lutheran Christians living in various regions of North America, accept and subscribe to the following Constitution and By-Laws, in accordance with which all spiritual and material affairs of our organization shall be governed.

ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this organization is ONGOING AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST, INC.

ARTICLE II - CONFESSION

SECTION 1. We believe and stress that Jesus Christ is the one and only way to heaven. (John 14:6, Acts 4:12)
SECTION 2. We believe and stress that the commission of our Lord is to go and tell all people about Jesus, our Lord and Savior. (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16)
SECTION 3. We believe and stress that the Bible in its entirety is God's Word and is without error.
(2 Timothy 3:16, John 17:17, Titus 1:2)
SECTION 4. We believe and stress the hermeneutical principle, "let Scripture interpret Scripture" and we reject "higher critical methods" of interpreting The Scripture. (1 Corinthians 1:17-25, Revelation 22:18-19)
SECTION 5. We accept any confirmed member of a member congregation of a church body, which is in pulpit and altar fellowship with the Lutheran Church‑Missouri Synod. (l Corinthians 14:2, 26-28, 39-40)
SECTION 6. We respect and will not act contrary to the doctrine and practice of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) as set forth in the Scriptures, the Lutheran Confessions and the applicable resolutions of the Synod.

ARTICLE III - PURPOSE
The purpose of this organization shall be to share the truth that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior by equipping youth and adults to witness more effectively of Jesus Christ to a lost world. We desire to serve the congregations of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod with our ministry.

ARTICLE IV - SYNODICAL AFFILIATION
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod through its Board for Congregational Services has granted Recognized Service Organization status to Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ. In doing so, the Synod does not endorse the fiscal solvency of Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ nor its services or programs and does not express or imply responsibility by the Synod for the debt or other financial obligations of the organization.

ARTICLE V - MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1. Active Members

A. Our members shall be members in good standing of member congregations of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod or of any church body which is in altar and pulpit fellowship with the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.
B. Voting members at the annual meeting must be commissioned Ongoing Ambassadors of any age who have attended at least one weekend in the past 12 months.

SECTION 2. Prayer Partner Members are persons who are willing to strive to pray for the growth of the OAFC ministry.
SECTION 3. Honorary Members are such persons who have made valuable contributions to spread the OAFC ministry.
SECTION 4. Ambassador Circle Members are persons who are willing to commit financial gifts regularly for the ministry of OAFC.

ARTICLE VI - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1. In order to carry out the business of the Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ, a Board of Directors shall be established. They shall make all decisions regarding the procedures and policies of Ongoing Ambassadors For Christ in accordance with this Constitution and By-Laws
SECTION 2. The Board of Directors shall hold regular meetings and they shall be held no less than quarterly. The agenda, prepared by the Executive Director, shall be sent to the Board members at least two weeks prior to the regular Board Meetings.
SECTION 3. Special Meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at the discretion of the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the Executive Director

ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS OF ONGOING AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST

SECTION 1. There shall be an annual meeting of the Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ, Inc., and it shall be on a date set by the Board of Directors, held in conjunction with Summer Training
SECTION 2. Commissioned Ambassadors assembled at the Annual Meeting shall have the right to elect members to the Board of Directors for Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ and ratify changes to the Constitution and By-Laws.

ARTICLE VIII -
The officers of the corporation shall be the Chairman of the Board, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and other such officers as may be decided upon by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IX - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

SECTION 1. The Executive Director shall be called by the Board of Directors. He shall be a pastor of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod who has had several years of experience in directing Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ weekends.
SECTION 2. Obligations of Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ, Inc. shall be to pay him an adequate salary, plus housing, transportation, utilities, pension, and hospitalization coverage. These amounts shall be reviewed annually by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 3. The Executive Director shall exercise and perform such duties that are assigned to him by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE X - PROPERTY RIGHTS
This organization shall have the right to own and operate such property as is deemed necessary for accomplishing its work. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to buy and sell property as needed.

ARTICLE XI- AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

SECTION 1. The Constitution and its by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board of Directors after a second reading of the proposed amendment except for Article II of the Constitution, our Confession, which is unalterable.
SECTION 2. All amendments must be published in the Crier in the last issue prior to the annual meeting at which the amendments shall be submitted for ratification.
SECTION 3. A simple majority of all duly registered voting members at the Annual Meeting shall be necessary for ratification.

ARTICLE XII - DISSOLUTION
Upon the dissolution of this organization, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of the organization, dispose of all of the assets of the organization exclusively for the purpose of the organization, in such manner, to such organizations or organizations organized or operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes, as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States law), as the Board of Directors shall determine.

ARTICLE XIII - FINANCES

SECTION 1. This organization shall never be operated for the primary purpose of carrying on a trade or business for profit.
SECTION 2. No compensation or payment shall ever be paid or made to any member, officer, director, trustee, creator or organizer of this organization, or substantial contributor to it, except as an allowance for actual expenditures or services actually made or rendered to or for this organization; and neither the whole nor any portion of the assets or net earnings, current or accumulated of this organization shall ever be distributed to or divided among any such persons; provided, further, that neither the whole nor any part or portion of such assets or net earnings shall ever be used for, accrue to, or inure to the benefit of any member or private individual within the meaning of Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law).
SECTION 3. This organization shall offer its services free of charge in being a means for evangelism.
SECTION 4. The financial income is to be provided by the Lord through free-will contributions by people and organizations who appreciate the ministry of OAFC and who give out of love.
SECTION 5. The non-staff persons serving in the ministry of OAFC should neither pay for the privilege of serving the Lord in evangelism, nor should they be paid, for they offer themselves for service out of love for Christ.
SECTION 6. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for all decisions in financial matters.
SECTION 7. All professional staff shall be paid an adequate salary.
SECTION 8. Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ shall be solely responsible for the management and fiscal affairs of the corporation and for the payment of any debt and liabilities incurred by the corporation.
SECTION 9. Recognition by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod that OAFC is a Recognized Service Organization is not an endorsement of the fiscal solvency of the organization, nor of services or programs offered by OAFC, and does not express for imply endorsement of the fiscal solvency of the organization, nor cause the Synod or its districts or congregations to incur or be subject to the liabilities or debts of OAFC.

BY-LAWS OF
ONGOING AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST

Athens, Illinois 62613 MARCH 1, 1980
REVISED JULY 1987
UPDATED JANUARY 1, 1991, JULY 1992, JULY 1993
REVISED JULY 1997
REVISED JULY 21, 2000

ARTICLE I - OFFICES
This organization shall have, and continuously maintain in this state a registered office and a registered agent and may have such other offices within Illinois as the Board of Directors may, from time to time, determine, pursuant to the direction of the Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ at its annual meeting.

ARTICLE II - MEETINGS

SECTION 1. Five board of directors' members present at a regular or special board of directors' meeting, whether in person, or at a telephone-conference-call meeting, shall constitute a quorum, and matters shall be decided by a simple majority of those voting.
SECTION 2. Those commissioned Ambassadors present at an annual meeting and qualified to vote shall constitute a quorum and matters shall be decided by a simple majority of those voting.
SECTION 3. All items for the agenda of the Annual Meeting shall be submitted, prior to April 1, to the Board of Directors for review by the Board of Directors and must receive the Board of Directors recommendation to be placed on the agenda.

ARTICLE III - OFFICERS

SECTION 1. The officers shall be elected by a vote of the Board of Directors following the Summer Training Annual Meeting.
SECTION 2. The Executive Director may appoint a temporary officer.
SECTION 3. Removal of any officer can be carried out by a majority of the Board of Directors as guided by Scripture.

ARTICLE IV - ELECTION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1. Nominations for election to the Board of Directors shall be made by commissioned Ambassadors of any age and shall be made at least four months prior to the annual meeting.
SECTION 2. The Board of Directors shall serve as the nominating committee and shall screen all nominees and shall publish the list of candidates in the CRIER two months prior to the annual meeting.
SECTION 3. In the event there are no candidates for a board position, the Board of Directors may submit nominees at the annual meeting.
SECTION 4. Board Membership shall be for three year terms for 2 laymen, 2 laywomen, and 2 pastors, and shall be for two-year terms for 2 boy and 2 girl Ambassadors. Boy and girl ambassadors must not be older than age 17 on the day of the election. The Executive Director shall be a voting member of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 5. The beginning dates for the three-year terms are as follows:

l. Pastor 1990
2. Pastor 1991
3. Layman 1991
4. Layman 1992
5. Laywoman 1990
6. Laywoman 1992

SECTION 6. The entire membership of the Board of Directors shall be installed annually at the Annual Meeting.
SECTION 7. Nominees for election to the Board of Directors shall be commissioned ambassadors.
SECTION 8. No more than 1 member of an immediate family may serve as a voting member on the Board of Directors at the same time. Immediate family is defined as Father, Mother, Son, Daughter, Sister, Brother, or any of their spouses.
SECTION 9. The Board of directors may appoint advisory and honorary members to the Board of Directors with no voting privileges.
SECTION 10. A vacancy in office shall be filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired term.

ARTICLE V - FINANCES

SECTION 1. The Treasurer, Executive Director, and the Assistant to the Executive Director shall be persons designated for authorized signatures on the accounts of the organization including the checking account.
SECTION 2. The financial records of Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ shall be audited each year by an independent accountant.

ARTICLE VI - DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND APPOINTEES

SECTION 1. The Chairman of the Board of Directors

A. He shall moderate all meetings of Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ.
B. He shall give encouragement to all boards, committees and special assignment groups.
C. He shall monitor all activities of Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ.

SECTION 2. The Secretary of the Board of Directors

A. The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of all meetings of Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ.
B. The Secretary shall execute any and all assigned correspondence by the Board.
C. The Secretary shall send copies of all minutes to the Synod's Board for Evangelism Services.

SECTION 3. The Treasurer of the Board of Directors.

A. The Treasurer shall oversee all receipts of Ongoing Ambassadors For Christ.
B. The Treasurer shall oversee all expenditures of the organization.
C. The Treasurer shall send financial reports to the Synod's Board for Evangelism Services.

SECTION 4. The Assistant to the Executive Director
He shall serve at the direction of the Executive Director.

SECTION 5. The Executive Director

A. He will promote the ministry of Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ throughout the LC-MS.
B. He will oversee the staff of OAFC including the hiring and firing.
C. He will up‑date and theologically scrutinize materials.
D. He will maintain contact with and oversee OAFC Group Directors.
E. He will present the OAFC ministry to the Seminaries and Colleges of the LC-MS.
F. He will present the OAFC ministry to pastors' conferences, convocations and conventions.
G. He will oversee fund‑raising and or fund-raising staff.
H. He will be involved in OAFC weekends no less than 5 a year.
I. He will be responsible for Summer Training and be involved in it.
J. He will serve as editor of the Crier.
K. He will assume other duties as designated by the Board.

National office
P.O. Box 41
Athens, Illinois 62613-0041
217 636-7729 (217 MEN-PRAY)
email info@oafc.org

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