The Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI) is an organization sovereignly ordained by God. From its humble beginnings - one small chapter in Los Angeles, California 1951 - it was thrust into global ministry by prophetic visions and prophecy. The Fellowship’s story graphically depicts man’s plans falling short of the mark, but God’s plan succeeding. The complete story is in the classic inspirational book, The Happiest People on Earth, by Demos Shakarian, the California dairyman who is the Fellowship’s founder. The book is co-authored by the celebrated Christian writers John and Elizabeth Sherrill.

Today the Fellowship operates in 132 countries. Thousands of chapters hold meetings in small hamlets, farm towns, outlying suburbs and urban power centers. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, these meetings are a time of fellowship, outreach and personal ministry.

But the backbone of the fellowship is its men - men who have a vision inspired by God to reach out beyond their personal lives - to help others find the reality of the Spirit-filled walk with Christ - ten of thousands of men putting God first and letting their lights shine to the world - men who join the Fellowship and participate in the ministry outreaches available, making a commitment to spread the Good News of Christ through the effective and powerful worldwide ministries of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International.

There are over 800 chapters in Nigeria. Most chapters meets in the best hotels in their areas.

OUR VISION STATEMENT

Our vision for the fellowship is based upon a series of prophetic messages given over a period of time and confirmed by a literal vision from God.

In the vision, untold masses of men from every continent and nation, of all races and diverse culture and costume, once spiritually dead, are now alive. Delivered and set free, they are filled with power of God’s Holy Spirit, faces radiant with glory, hands raised and voice lifting their praises to heaven.

We see a vast global movement of laymen being used mightily by God to bring in this last great harvest through the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit before the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

FGBMFI MISSION STATEMENT

Our Doctrinal Statement

The Vision

By Demos Shakarian

In 1952 God told me to start a Fellowship for men who would meet in small and large groups in cafes, hotels and public places to fellowship and minister spiritually one to another. To attempt to accomplish this, we organized a group and met in Clifton’s Cafeteria in Los Angeles every week for a whole year. Interest and attendance was so small that it appeared that we would be forced to give up a ministry I was sure God called me to do. God was so good and gave me a vision in my home while I was on my knees the night before I was going to stop the meetings

God said to me, “I am the One, Demos, who alone can open doors. I am the One who removes the beam from unseeing eyes.”

“I understand, Lord Jesus. And I thank You.”

“And now I will let you see, indeed.”

With that the Lord allowed me to rise to my knees. Lifted me almost, as though the power which had pressed me to the floor was now bearing me up. And at that moment, Rose, my wife came into the living room. She stepped around me and walked over to the Hammond organ in the corner. She said not a word, but sat down and began to play.

As the music swelled through the living room, the atmosphere grew brighter. To my amazement the ceiling seemed to have disappeared. The cream-colored plaster, the ceiling light - they were simply gone, and instead I found myself staring up into the sky, a daytime sky although it must have been pitch dark. How long she played while I gazed into the infinite distance I don’t know. But all at once she stopped, fingers still resting on the keys, and began to pray aloud in tongues. She paused a moment, then spoke in English:

“My son. I knew you before you were born. I have guided you every step of the way. Now I am going to show you the purpose of your life.”

It was the Spirit’s gifts of tongues and interpretation, given together. And as she spoke a remarkable thing began to happen. Although I was on my knees, I felt as if I were rising. Leaving my body. Moving up, away from the living room. Down below me I could see the rooftops of Downey, California. There were the San Bernardino Mountains, and over there the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Now I was high above the earth, able to see from the west to the east.

Whether the world was turning, or whether I was traveling around it, I do not know. But now beneath me the continent of South America. Then Africa. Europe. Asia. I could see people on the earth - millions and millions of them standing shoulder to shoulder. Then, just as a camera can zoom in at a football game to show first the stadium, then the players, then the very laces on the football, my vision seemed to move in on the millions of men, I could see tiny details of thousands and thousands of faces. Everywhere it was the same.. Brown faces, black faces, white faces - every one rigid, wretched, every one locked in his own private death.

“Lord!” I cried. “What is the matter with them? Lord, help them!”

Afterward Rose told me that I said nothing. But in the vision it seemed to me that I wept and pleaded aloud.

Suddenly Rose began to speak. Humanly speaking, of Course, she had no way of knowing that I was seeing anything at all. But what she said was:

“My son, what you see next is going to happen soon.”

The earth was turning - or I was moving around it - a second time. Below me again were millions upon millions of men. But what a difference! This time heads were raised. Eyes shone with joy. Hands were lifted towards heaven. These men who had been isolated, each in his prison of self were linked in a community of love and adoration. Asia. Africa. America - everywhere death had turned to life. And then the vision was over. Today...

THE VISION IS IN THE PROCESS OF FULFILLMENT.

There are many thousands of chapters meeting in over a hundred countries ministering one to another, but the greatest harvest is yet to come. You can be a part of it...