Our Mission
We exist to empower ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Since 1954, the IMA has stood out as a unique association providing impactful resources to Spirit-filled ministers. Our strength is built on the relationships of our members, our intentional approach to taking action, and our consistent focus on empowering ministers in the local church context.
Our Purpose
Our Summation of Purpose is five-fold:
Form an alliance for Spirit-filled ministers;
Create a bonafide ministerium;
Work together for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom;
Maintain a standard of integrity for all IMA ministers;
Proclaim the Gospel; teach Bible truths with compassion.
In order to effectively empower ministers we focus on three primary offerings: Credentialing, Covering, and Conferences.
01.
Credentialing
The IMA is an association made up of member ministers. We offer three levels of credentialing: Exhorter, Licensed Minister, and Ordained Minister. Special status is also available for Active Missionaries and Retired/Senior Ministers.
02.
Covering
We offer unique benefits to churches who are seeking 501(c)3 tax exemption through our Group Exemption “umbrella” status with the IRS. We also provide relational covering through mentoring, encouragement, prayer, and accountability.
03.
conferences
The IMA actively seeks to compile and share resources as well as provide opportunities for fellowship and relationship. In addition to our annual National Conference, we also hold District Conferences throughout the year.
An association of ministers who proclaim Biblical truth and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our Story
The IMA was officially founded in 1954. It was conceived long before that, however, in the heart of Rev. W.E. Kidson. His dream and passion was to see the formation of a ministerial association that would be a fellowship rather than a denomination. Kidson shared the idea with his long-time friend, Rev. B.C. Nulisch, Sr., and Nulisch in turn recruited Rev. A.D. Van Hoose, a man with remarkable giftings to motivate and inspire leaders. Together, they arranged a meeting in Dallas, Texas at a church pastored by Rev. Ernest Shindoll. The church was hosting a tent meeting and sixteen ministers came to hear the initial presentation by Rev. Kidson. As a result, the ministers present all agreed to begin the International Ministerial Association and elected Kidson to serve as Chairman Pro Tem. Later on, Districts and a National Board were added to encourage fellowship throughout the country. Eventually, a Home Office came into being and personnel were added to be a resource for the growing needs of ministers.
The IMA was founded with a collective desire to provide an association for Spirit-filled ministers that was free from legalistic and denominational constraint. Freedom was the heart-cry of our founding fathers. A quote from a 1957 article by Rev. Kidson sums it up well:
“Freedom”…means…exemption or liberation from the control of some other person or some arbitrary power. Since each one of us will be held accountable to the Lord for our own actions, it is very necessary that we have freedom to follow the dictates of our own conscience. … Martin Luther…[and] other leaders have dared to step out from the religious groups in order to satisfy their own conscience. Along with them has come a group that had the same desire. … Three years ago a very small group of brethren met in Dallas, Texas. After expressing their desire to be free to follow the leading of the Lord as they saw it, they organized what is known as the International Ministerial Association.
As time progressed and through the leading of the Holy Spirit, further vision came forth. The IMA has since continued to develop progressively, steadfastly, and significantly over the course of its 60+ years. The desire for freedom has never left the constituency of the IMA. And it is that same desire that presently drives the IMA on a steady course in its Godly endeavors of faith and its ministry unto the Lord and mankind.
Our forefathers left a legacy of dreaming big dreams. The IMA continues to move forward and, though our methods may change, our message remains the same: Jesus Christ is still the answer for the world today! The IMA continues to be comprised of ministers focused on going forward and seeking to fulfill the eternal purposes of our Lord Jesus.
Relational. Actional. Missional.
Our Vision
The future holds incredible promise for the IMA. We are committed to continuing, strengthening, and enhancing our core offerings in order to make an even bigger impact for the Kingdom of God. To continue moving FORWARD, we have identified these seven areas of focus critical to accomplishing our vision.
Fellowship — Purposing to create opportunities for ministers to come together for support, encouragement, and networking.
Ordination — Utilizing our great privilege of licensure to create licensing products that empower and protect ministers of the Gospel.
Respect — To honor each individual calling and ministry, and to come together in the name of the Lord for strength and support.
World Evangelization — To reach out to all nations of the world through the establishment of home and foreign mission outreaches.
Assistance — Assisting ministers that request help in pastoral ministry, missions outreach, care for the aging, and support for the traditional family unit.
Resources — To network the abundance of our teaching materials, accumulated wisdom, church manuals, and information to cause ministries to flourish.
Development — to provide recruitment, teaching, and training opportunities to equip ministers of the gospel to serve God effectively in the 21st century and beyond.
Ministerium (n.)
A body of ministers composed of ordained ministers and charged with the examination, licensure, and ordination
of candidates for the ministry [of the gospel] of Jesus Christ.
Our Leadership
Rev. Chad Hayes
Chairman
Chad and Rachael Hayes pastor Return Church in Clarksville, Indiana. He has served on the North Central District Board and is in his second term of serving on the National Board. He was elected Chairman of the National Board in September of 2021.
Rev. Sean Dudley
National Board
Sean and Lynnett Dudley pastor Christ Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. Sean has been a member of the IMA for 12 years. He spent six years serving on the Mid-Central District Board and is currently serving in his second term on the National Board.
Rev. Daniel Hernandez
National Board
Dan and Patricia pastor Water of Life Ministries in Rockford, Illinois. Dan has been a member of the IMA for over 25 years, has served on the Central District Board for 18 years, and has served on the National Board for a combined total of 16 years.
Rev. Kurt Jusczak
National Board
Kurt and Julie Jusczak pastor Stonebridge Church in Burnsville, Minnesota. He has been a member of the IMA for 16 years. He served on the North Central District Board for six years and is currently in his second term on the National Board.
Dr. Don Crabtree
National Board
Don and Aimee Crabtree serve on the US-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas and Piedras Negras, Mexico. With active ministries on both sides of the border, their current ministry focus is the establishment of a Pregnancy Resource Center. Don is currently in the first year of his second stint on the IMA National Board.
Rev. Steven White
National Board
Steven and Callie pastor Life Church in Osage, IA. Steven has served on the North Central District Board for 3 years. He is currently in his first term of serving on the National Board.
Rev. Rusty Greenwood
national board
Rusty & his wife, Jenny, pastor Resurrection Life Church in Decatur, Ill. He has served on the Central District board for many years. This is his first year on the National Board.
Ready to Join?
Apply
—
Contact
