Legal Status of Chaplain Fellowship Ministries International

CFMI Chaplains responded and served during and after Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita, Virginia Tech massacre, Hurricane Ike Fort Hood massacre and Haiti to mention a few. Members of Chaplain Fellowship are serving as chaplains worldwide with police departments, fire departments, emergency services, border patrol, nursing homes, hospice companies, hospitals, in the military serving in Afghanistan and many other areas of ministry. The members of Chaplain Fellowship work with thousands of people on a daily basis reaching out to those in need. Our mission is to recruit and train chaplains and ministers who will respond to disasters within their own communities or Worldwide. Over the years we have had many people call us or come to us and ask how can they be sure that Chaplain Fellowship Ministries is a real and legal ministry.

BOTTOM LINE: The following information has been provided with links to legal documents for public viewing and inspection. Furthermore it is a requirement of the Internal Revenue Service that any ministry or nonprofit making the statement that they are a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit requesting donations must post their letter of determination for public inspection. If they do not have it posted, questions need to asked. Furthermore an established nonprofit should have their Donor Privacy Policy posted stating they will NOT sell, trade, share or make pubic any of your personal information.

  ACCOUNTABILITY & CREDIBILITY: Chaplain Fellowship Ministries believes that accountability is very important, there can be no credibility if there is no accountability. Brisbin Tax Service in Temple Texas located at 18 S Main St, Temple, Texas takes care of filing 990's for CFMI every year and all other issues dealing with the IRS. Chaplain Fellowship also has two law firms that represent CFMI.

1. Legal Representation: Thomas Baird Attorney at Law with the Law Firm of - Baird, Crews, Schiller & Whitaker, P.C., located at 15 North Main Street, Temple, Texas.

2. Legal Representation: Jack Jones Jr. attorney at law with the Law Firm of Jones & Harrell, P.C. Located at 2106 Bird Creek Dr. Temple, Texas.

3. Background Checks: Chaplain Fellowship runs background checks on all applicants for more information.

4. TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE: Chaplain Fellowship Ministries International inc. is legally incorporated in the state of Texas as a ministry to do the following. Crisis Response, Disaster Relief, Recruit, Train, ordains and license ministers and chaplains. Furthermore to establish Faith based Skills Training Institutions, Crisis Ministries, Community Development, Out Reach Ministries, Missions and Chaplaincy Programs. To view Certificate of Incorporation from the Texas Secretary of State. For more information.

5. TEXAS STATE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE: Chaplain Fellowship Ministries International inc. is also recognized by the Texas State Comptroller's Office. To view the letter from the Texas Comptroller office recognizing Chaplain Fellowship Ministries as an Tax Exempt organization. For more information.

6. INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE: We have had so many people come to us saying being a 501 (c) 3 does not mean anything. Others will tell you that being a 501 (c) 3 means the government controls those who have been approved for a 501 (c) 3 exemption. The simple truth is the Internal Revenue Service has never told anyone with Chaplain Fellowship Ministries or our leadership what to do with donations received, which is God's finances. But they do tell us and everyone who is a 501 (c) 3 what we had better NOT do with donations received, it is called accountability. God is gracious, but the IRS is not! Where there is no accountability, there is no credibility period. To view the tax exemption letter for Chaplain fellowship Ministries

7. INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE GROUP EXEMPTION: Chaplain Fellowship Ministries International also holds a 501 (c) 3 Group exemption. The group exemption is a separate exemption under 501 (c) 3 itself. Chaplain Fellowship had to go through the whole process and qualify all over again to obtain the group exemption. To view the group exemption letter

8. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES: Homeland Crisis Institute is a specialized training department of Chaplain Fellowship Ministries International. Homeland Crisis Institute has been approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services as an official continuing education provider for the following. The Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners , The Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors and the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists .

9. Donor Privacy Policy: Anyone who gives to any ministry has a right to know their private information will not be sold or made public. All Ministries and public charities must demonstrate a commitment to your privacy. Ministries or Public Charities should have their donor privacy policy prominently displayed on their web site(s). Chaplain Fellowship has made a commitment to respect our members and partners' privacy. We treat every gift with sensitivity and confidentiality. Please view our donor privacy policy.

Chaplain Fellowship Ministries has members working in Police Departments, Fire Departments, Emergency Services, Hospitals, Hospice, Funeral Homes, Nursing Homes, Federal Agencies to include but not limited to Home Land Security, US Air Marshal Service, National Guard, Reserves, Coast Guard, Regular Military, VA Hospitals, Faith Based Counseling Centers, Children's Homes, Youth Detention Centers, Outside waiting emergency rooms with families, Prisons, County Jails and Corporate Chaplains. These are some of the areas were members of Chaplain Fellowship Ministries are working as chaplains. These are not just claims we are making, these are real people, working in all these areas worldwide as chaplains.

Many people say that a ministry having a 501 (c) 3 does not mean anything, they will tell you that we are doing what man says instead of the word of God. That is not true "See Romans 13: 1, 2:  below" it is really silly to even make such a statement. There are some people who have a problem being held accountable for their action and what they do with the money they receive as donations. What does it really mean to be tax exempt? It means ministries and public charities are held accountable for their actions and the funds they receive. The IRS does not tell any ministry how to use the Lords' money, but we can assure you of one thing, they watch for those who abuse the trust of the people who give their hard earned money as donations.

Romans 13:1,2 says, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves."

For further information you may contact our main office and speak with a Senior Staff member who will be happy to help in any way that they can. Offices Hours are Monday - Friday 9:am to 5:pm ( Please Leave a message after 5:pm, Emergency calls will be returned as soon as possible ). see our ministry contact page.

™Chaplain Fellowship Ministries International Inc. is a faith based nondenominational ministry of presence. US Federal Government contractors, Corporations and foundations our Legal Name is Chaplain Fellowship Ministries International Inc., Legal Structure is Nonprofit Public Charity. ©Copyright Chaplain Fellowship Ministries International Inc.