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ARTICLE 1 NAME & LEGAL STATUS The name of this organization is GRACE INTERNATIONAL CHURCHES AND MINISTRIES (hereinafter referred to as the organization). The organization shall be incorporated as an Association under Section 21 of the Companies Act, 1973. It shall also be registered with the South African Revenue Services as a Public Benefit Organization and with the Department of Social Services as a Non Profit Organization. Where any clause of this constitution conflicts with the Memorandum of Association, the provisions contained in the Memorandum of Association shall take pre-eminence and preference. ARTICLE 2 DURATION AND DISSOLUTION This organization shall continue and exist perpetually unless it is dissolved or its existence is terminated under the provisions of law. Upon the dissolution of the organization, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all liabilities of the organization, dispose of all the assets of the organization exclusively for the purposes of the organization in such a manner, or to such organization or organizations, organized and operated exclusively for charitable and or religious purposes which is itself registered as a Non Profit Organization and Public Benefit Organization and which is exempt from Income Tax in terms of Section 10(1) of the Income Tax Act, as amended. ARTICLE 3 NOT FOR PROFIT This organization is an association of ministers and churches, incorporated exclusively for religious purposes. No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions furtherance of the purposes set forth in this constitution. ARTICLE 4 PURPOSE The aims and objectives of Grace International Churches and Ministries are: 4.1 to provide oversight to the ministers and churches of the association as they pursue their vision and Biblical mandates of worship, evangelism, pastoral care, education and charity; 4.2 the preservation of historic foundational doctrines; 4.3 to train, license and ordain ministers, promote missionary activity and to plant churches; 4.4 recognition of Biblical pastoral headship in the local church under the supervision of the Executive Council of the organization; 4.5 Administrative stewardship of properties of the organization. ARTICLE 5 OBJECTIVES The objectives of the Grace International Churches and Ministries, its churches and ministries are, but not limited o the following: 5.1 to maintain a suitable, self-perpetuating organization to manage the affairs of the organization and to support the member churches and ministries of organization; 5.2 to license and/or ordain ministers of the gospel in accordance with such regulations contained I the By-Laws; 5.3 to establish, accept and grant membership to churches and religious organizations for the propagation of the gospel; 5.4 to own, hold, develop, maintain, operate, lease, encumber, sell, exchange, convey and to otherwise acquire, dispose of, or manage, deal with, or in property of every nature and description, both real and personal to such an extent as may be necessary or convenient in the furtherance o the purposes and objectives of the organization; 5.5 to buy, sell, exchange, encumber, and general deal in real property, including but not limited to, improved or unimproved real estate, office building, store buildings, school buildings, college buildings and dormitories, hotels, apartments and dwelling houses; 5.6 to acquire, sell, hold, use, license, assign or otherwise dispose of any and all trade marks, trade names, and all inventions, improvements or processes or secured under letters patented in South Africa or elsewhere; 5.7 to carry out all or any of the aforesaid objectives as persons, agents, contractors or otherwise, either alone or in connection with any person, firm association or organization; 5.8 to acquire by gift, donation, devise or bequest real and/or personal property for use, benefit and furtherance of the purposes and objectives of the organization with full power to use, sell and dispose of same and convert such property into cash, securities or other classes of properties, for the use and benefit of the organization and for promotion of the objectives for which the organization is organized; 5.9 to receive, create, provide for, set up and use pension and/or endowment funds in furtherance of the objectives and purposes of the organization; 5.10 to carry on printing and/or publication activities, including making, acquiring, selling and disposing of printed books, tracts, leaflets and literature or music pertaining to and in any way consistent with the purposes herein set forth; 5.11 to establish, maintain and operate day care centres, Christian schools, Bible colleges, recreational centres, youth centres, camps, homes for destitute or indigent persons, rest homes and homes for missionaries of the church, or churches, operated by this organization, who are retired or on holiday, and homes for other retired employees of the church, or churches organized by this organization; 5.12 to do any and all acts or things necessary, suitable or convenient for the accomplishment of any purposes, or for attainment of any one or more objects specified herein, or which shall, at any time, appear conducive thereto, or expedient therefore, if not inconsistent with provisions of any laws which might apply to accomplishment of such purposes or attainment of such objects.
It is intended that the foregoing objectives, purposes and powers of this Article shall not, unless otherwise specified herein, be in any way limited or restricted by reference to or inference from the terms f any other clause of this or any other Article in this Constitution and By Laws, but that the objectives and purposes specified in these Articles shall be regarded as indefinite objectives and purposes. ARTICLE 6 TENETS OF FAITH This organization shall accept the Bible as the revealed will of God, the all-sufficient rule for faith and practice, and for the purpose of maintaining general unity, adopts the following statement of fundamental truths approved by the Executive Council. 6.1 We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative, eternal Word of God. 6.2 We believe that there is one triune God, eternally existent as Father, Son and Holy Sprit. 6.3 We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His vicarious and atoning death, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory. 6.4 We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential. Salvation is by faith alone through grace alone. Both justification and sanctification are the works of the Holy Spirit in those who trust in Jesus. 6.5 We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life. 6.6 We believe in the personal baptism in the Holy Spirit as received by believers at the beginning. We believe in the present day manifestation of all the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Church. 6.7 We believe in obeying the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment. 6.8 We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost – of they that are saved unto resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation. 6.9 We believe in the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception to the time of death. All human life is precious in the sight of God. 6.10 We believe that marriage and family are institutions ordained by the Lord God Himself from the very beginning of human history and that these are sacred institutions. Marriage is between one man and one woman. Any other definition of marriage is contrary to the clear teachings of the Holy Bible and hence against the expressed will of God. 6.11 We believe that unity regarding the foundational doctrines clearly taught in the Holy Bible is absolutely essential. At the same time we also affirm that we must accept one another in the love of Jesus recognizing that there are different styles and expressions of worship. We are all members of the Body of Christ. All the members of the Body do not look exactly alike in external details. Yet, together we are the Body of Christ, and are called to build His Kingdom in harmony and agape love. ARTICLE 7 ORDINANCES 7.1. The ordinance of baptism by immersion in water shall be administered to all those who have repented of their sins and who have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation, and who give clear evidence of their salvation. 7.2. The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper shall regularly be observed as enjoined in the Scriptures. ARTICLE 8 AMENDMENTS The Articles of this Constitution may be adopted, amended or repealed by a two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Council and a simple majority of the members at an annual or special membership meeting.
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