of Calvary International, Inc
dba Go To Nations (referred to as GTN)
a Florida Non-Profit Corporation Foreign Mission Society of the Christian Faith
(Revised August, 2021)
ARTICLE I: GENERAL
Section 1: Name
This corporation is known as Calvary International dba Go To Nations, Inc. It is also referred to as “GTN”.
Section 2: Registration
The corporation is incorporated in the state of Florida and is registered as a Florida- based, non-profit corporation.
Section 3: IRS Exemption
The Foreign Mission Society is qualified to receive tax-exempt donations as an IRS
501(c)3 organization
Section 4: Directors, Officers, and Executives
- Directors of the Board
The board of directors establishes the policy of the Foreign Mission Society
(Organization)
- Officers of the Corporation
The officers are legal representatives for the non-profit corporation for the purpose of registration with the state of Florida.
- Executives of the Organization
The executives lead the organization to execute objectives to accomplish its
mission in Great Commission ministry
Section 5: The Corporation
Foreign Mission Society is the legal term recognized by the IRS for the legallyregistered and tax-exempt organization. The term “corporation” relates to the legal status in the state of Florida. The directors, officers, and executives may refer to GTN as an “organization.”
Section 6: Principal Office
The principal office of this corporation is in the state of Florida in the city of Jacksonville, county of Duval.
Section 7: Other Offices
The Foreign Mission Society may have such other offices, either within or without the county of Duval, State of Florida, as the board of directors may from time to time determine
Section 8: Pronoun Usage
The use of pronouns describing appointments is non-specific and includes male and
female gender
Section 9: Relationship to other networks or associations of churches
Calvary International, Inc. USA relates to, cooperates with, and networks with many networks of churches. Among them are the International Communion of Christian Churches, Christian International, and the Fellowship of Churches and Ministers International
ARTICLE II: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1: Board Make-up and Tenure
The affairs of this Foreign Mission Society, both secular and spiritual, shall be directed by its board of directors, consisting of a chairman, vice chairman, secretary, treasurer,
and up to a total of fifteen members who shall be persons of proven character and zeal for foreign missions. A majority of board members shall not be employees of the Society and shall not be compensated by the Society for service on this board except for expenses
incurred in the fulfillment of their duties as said board member. The officers of the Society shall be non-employee members of the board. The term of office of each board member
is to be up to three years. At the completion of a term, the board member may be elected to a second term by the board. Exceptions to the term and tenure of any board member may be made by a majority vote of the board. The president of the corporation shall be a permanent member of the board of directors.
Section 2: Election
In the event of a vacancy on the board of directors, whether caused by resignation, removal, death, or expansion of the board, the chairman then serving, through the nominating process shall suggest to the other members the names of a person deemed to be qualified to serve. Upon a vote of approval by the board, the person nominated shall be set in the appropriate office.
Section 3: Chairman of the Board
The chairman is to preside at all board meetings or must appoint an acting co-chairman to preside in his absence. The chairman of the board of directors is appointed to the office of chairman by a majority vote of the board. He is to serve a term of three years. Upon vacancy of office, the executive committee of the board shall present another director
for election as chairman. As with all officers, the chairman may succeed himself in a subsequent term(s) or may be removed from office with a majority vote of the board.
Section 4: Vice Chairman
The vice chairman of the board shall perform such additional duties as may from time to time be assigned to him by the chairman of the board of directors. In the absence of the chairman, or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, the vice chairman shall perform the duties of the chairman and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to, all the restrictions upon the chairman.
Section 5: Secretary
The secretary shall keep or cause to be kept the minutes of meetings of the board of directors in one or more books provided for that purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall state the time and place that it was held and such other information as shall be necessary to determine the actions taken and whether the meeting was held in accordance with the law and these bylaws. The secretary shall cause notice to be given of all meetings of directors and committees as required by the bylaws. The secretary shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or the board president. The secretary may appoint, with approval of the president, a staff member to assist in the performance of all or part of the duties of the secretary.
Section 6: Treasurer
The treasurer shall be the lead director of oversight of the financial condition and affairs of the corporation. The treasurer shall oversee and keep the board informed of the financial condition and of an audit or financial review results. In conjunction with other directors or officers, the treasurer shall oversee and ensure that appropriate financial reports, including an account of major transactions and the financial condition of the corporation, are made available to the board of directors on a timely basis or as may be required by the board of directors. The treasurer shall perform all duties properly required by the board of directors or the chairman of the board. The treasurer may appoint, with approval of the president, a qualified fiscal agent or member of the staff to assist in the performance of all or part of the duties of the treasurer.
Section 7: President
The president of the ministry is a member of the board of directors, a member of the executive committee of the board, and is an ex-officio member of all boards and leadership groups within the network of ministries. He is responsible to oversee the leadership and the general well-being of the ministry. He may sign, with the secretary or other officer
duly authorized by the board of directors, any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments, the execution of which has been authorized by the board of directors, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall have been expressly delegated by the board of directors, by these bylaws, or by law to some other officer or agent of the corporation; and, in general, he shall perform all duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors
Section 8: Removal of Officers
Any director or executive officer elected or appointed by the board of directors may be removed by the board whenever in its judgment the best interests of the corporation will be served thereby. Any vacancy in any office will be filled by the board of directors.
Section 9: Liability of Directors
The board of directors of this corporation shall not be personally liable for its debts, liabilities or other obligations.
Section 10: Quorum and Voting
A majority number of directors, fixed by these bylaws, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The board of directors will make every effort to act with unanimity; however, the act of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the board of directors.
Section 11: Powers
Except as otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or by the bylaws, the powers of this corporation shall be exercised, its properties controlled, and its affairs conducted by the board of directors, which may, however, delegate the performance of any duties or the exercise of any powers to such officers and agents as the board may from time to time by resolution designate. The board of directors shall establish a code of procedures regarding all financial matters and have final approval over all budgets and policies. Any person dealing with the corporation shall be entitled to rely upon documents signed on behalf of the corporation by its president, executive director, or executive vice president, and treasurer with its corporate seal thereto affixed and attested by its secretary.
Section 12: Place of Meeting
Regular and special meetings of the board of directors shall be held at the principal place of business of the corporation or at such place as may be designated by the board.
Section 13: Time, Notice, and Call
Regular meetings of the board of directors shall be held at least three times annually. Written notice of the time and place of special meetings of the board of directors shall be given to each director by U.S. mail or another acceptable courier (to include electronic communications) service at least 10 days prior to the meeting, with confirmation of receipt notification of the meeting. Notice of a meeting of the board of directors need not be given
to any director who signs a waiver of notice either before or after the meeting. Attendance of a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting and waiver of any and all objections to the place of the meeting, time of the meeting, or manner in which the meeting has been called or convened, except when the director states at the beginning of the meeting any objection to the transaction of business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. This is to ensure all board members have sufficient notice to be able to attend any specially called meetings.
A majority of the directors present, whether or not a quorum exists, may adjourn any meeting of the board of directors to another time and place. Notice of any such adjourned meeting shall be given to the directors who were not present at the time of the adjournment and, unless the time and place of the adjourned meeting are announced at the time of the adjournment, to the other directors.
Meetings of the board of directors may be called by the chairman of the board, by the president or by any two directors (as stated in section 13 paragraph one above). Members of the board of directors may conduct a meeting of the board by means of a media conference through which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other simultaneously. Participation by such means shall be the same as being present in person at the respective meeting
ARTICLE III: OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION
(A Florida Registered Corporation)
Section 1: Officers
The officers of this corporation shall consist of a president and secretary according to requirements of Florida Corporate Law. The president and secretary shall be elected by the board of directors. The above appointments are to meet the requirements of the registration of the corporation in the state of Florida.
ARTICLE IV: EXECUTIVES OF THE ORGANIZATION
Section 1: Executive Staff
The board of directors appoints the president, who serves as the chief executive officer.
All other executive-level vice presidents on the organization’s staff shall be appointed by the president.
Section 2: vice presidents
The vice presidents of divisions shall be appointed by the executive vice presidents assigned over the different divisions.
Section 3: Absence
In the absence of the president, or in the event of his /her inability to carry out the duties of the office, the board of directors assumes the responsibility to carry out a succession process which includes the following:
1 appoint a search committee chair
2 appoint a search committee
3 develop a leadership profile
4 address the compensation issue
5 develop a list of candidates
6 create an application/selection process
7 select finalists
8 choose a new president through board approval
The board of directors shall appoint someone from the executive vice presidents to function in the role of the president until the new president is appointed.
ARTICLE V: COMMITTEES, COUNCILS, AND SUBSIDIARY BOARDS
Section 1: Executive and other Committees
The board of directors, by resolution adopted by the board, may designate from among its members an executive committee of the board and one or more other committees, each of which, to the extent provided in such resolution, shall have and may exercise authority of the board of directors, except as limited by law. The chairman of the board shall serve as the chairman of the executive committee.
Section 2: Other Committees or Boards
Other committees not having nor exercising the final approval authority of the board of directors may be established by resolution duly adopted by a majority vote of the board of directors. Any member may be removed by the person or persons authorized to appoint that member whenever, in the judgment of such person or persons, the interests of the the corporation would best be served by such removal.
Section 3: Terms of Office
Each member of a committee shall continue as such until the next meeting of the board of directors or appointing authority and until his successor is appointed, unless such the committee shall be soon abolished, or unless such member be removed or ceases to qualify as a member thereof.
Section 4: Chairman
One member of each committee shall be appointed chairman by the person or persons authorized to appoint members of the committee.
Section 5: Vacancies
Vacancies in the membership of any committee shall be filled by appointments made in the same manner, as provided in the case of original appointments, and any member so elected shall be elected for the unexpired term of his predecessor.
Section 6: Quorum
Unless otherwise provided in a committee’s establishing resolution, a majority of the whole committee shall constitute a quorum, and the act of a majority of members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be an act of the committee.
Section 7: Rules
Each committee may adopt such rules and regulations for its meetings and the conduct of its activities as it may deem appropriate; provided, however, that such rules and regulations shall be consistent with these bylaws and provided further, that regular minutes of all proceedings shall be kept. All board or committee decisions are subject to final approval or disapproval by the board of directors.
Section 8: Councils
The president may appoint special advisory, leadership, or other councils at his discretion to serve the purposes of the organization.
Section 9: Membership
The board of directors of Go To Nations may by resolution establish a membership.
The purpose of membership will be to expand the scope of the ministry domestically and internationally. Each member will hold one vote on resolutions concerning issues of interest to the membership.
ARTICLE VI: AFFILIATIONS
Section 1
Affiliates may be established to help fulfill Go To Nations’ purpose. They will have a governing board established under the laws of their country of location. Affiliates of various types help to internationalize the ministry for Great Commission purposes.
Affiliates operating under their own board of nationals have control and are accountable for the results of their ministries. They ascribe to the Statement of Faith of Go To Nations, Inc. USA.
Section 2
Affiliates will be responsible for governing and financing their own organizations. Go To Nations is not responsible for financing the activities of a foreign or domestic affiliate nor for paying their debt. Affiliates are not permitted to financially encumber Calvary International
Section 3
Formal affiliations will be approved by a majority vote of the board of directors of Go To Nations, Calvary International, Inc, USA at any regularly scheduled board meeting.
ARTICLE VII: FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
Section 1: Contracts
The board of directors may by resolution duly adopted authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents of the corporation, in addition to the officers so authorized by these bylaws, to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name
of and on behalf of the corporation. Such authority may be general or confined to specific
instances
Section 2: Gifts and Contributions
The board of directors may choose to accept on behalf of the corporation any contribution, gift, bequest, or devise of any property whatsoever for the general and special charitable purposes of the corporation.
Section 3: Deposits
All funds of the corporation shall be deposited in a timely manner to the credit of the corporation in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as the board of directors may select
Section 4: Checks, Drafts, Orders for Payment
All checks, drafts, or orders for the payment of money, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness issued in the name of the corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers, agents, or agents of the corporation and in such manner as the board of directors shall from time to time by resolution determine. In the absence of such determination, such instruments shall be signed by the treasurer and countersigned by the president, executive director or a vice president of the corporation.
Section 5: Financial Affairs
The financial affairs of the corporation will be conducted according to ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability) protocols, and in full compliance with the IRS code for non-profit corporations.
Section 6: Audits
An outside audit will be conducted at least annually as prescribed by accepted accounting standards
Section 7: Controls
Financial controls will be enforced to ensure the financial integrity of the corporation. Monthly, periodic, and annual financial summaries, budgets, and internal controls will be employed, holding the ministry to a high standard of ethics and financial accountability.
ARTICLE VIII: MISCELLANEOUS
Section 1: Books and Records
The secretary of the corporation oversees meeting minutes, account records and committee reports through the help of the executive leadership of the World Headquarters. All books and records of the corporation may be inspected by any director of the board or officer of the corporation. An annual report will be available to anyone upon request.
Section 2: Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the corporation shall begin on the first day of January and end on the last day of December each year. This may be changed by the majority vote of the board of directors if deemed advantageous to the corporation.
Section 3: Corporate Seal
The board of directors shall provide a corporate seal described as follows: a circular disc with the word “Seal” imprinted thereon.
Section 4: Waiver of Notice
Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of the corporation, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice
Section 5: Non-Discriminatory Policy
A General Rule
GTN adopts a racially nondiscriminatory policy in connection with any present or future GTN ministry function in that it admits persons of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities in GTN ministries and does not discriminate on the basis of race in the administration of its ministry.
B Internal Revenue Publicity Guidelines
It also adopts the publicity guidelines set out by the Internal Revenue Service as are now in force and such as shall be in force in the future.
C Hiring
GTN adopts a non-discriminatory policy in connection with the hiring of staff personnel as regards race, sex, color, national or ethnic origin. However, we reserve all rights to uphold the tenets of our Articles of Faith and Statement of Faith.
ARTICLE IX: DOCTRINAL STATEMENTS
Section 1: Statement of Faith
The Bible is the rule of faith and practice for Go To Nations. The Statement of Faith forms a basis of fellowship among Go To Nations and other partnerships or networking organizations. This statement is a part of these corporate Bylaws.
Section 2: Maintaining Articles of Faith
The secretary of the board of directors will maintain on file a current listing of the Articles of Faith. These articles will be used primarily as guiding principles and to assist affiliates in informing and governing their foreign organizations.
Section 3: Lausanne Covenant
The broad purposes of the Foreign Mission Society will be guided by the Holy Bible.
The Lausanne Covenant is a statement developed by Christian mission leaders to help focus the work of mission societies and organizations on the task of fulfilling the Great Commission. The secretary of the board of directors will maintain on file a copy of the Lausanne Covenant
ARTICLE X: STATEMENT OF FAITH
Concerning:
AUTHORITY -
The scripture, both Old and New Testaments are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man: the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct (II Timothy 3:16-17).
GOD -
There is one true God, existing eternally as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The triune nature, or Trinity, is God, being one in three persons (Isaiah 43:10-11, John 10:30).
JESUS CHRIST -
The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The scriptures declare His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, substitutionary work on the cross, bodily resurrection from the dead, and exaltation to the right hand of God (Matthew 1:23, I Peter 2:22, II Corinthians 5:21).
PEOPLE AND SIN -
Man was created good and upright. God created Adam and Eve, and from their children the earth was populated. By voluntary transgression, however, the first humans fell and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God. As a result of their fall, their posterity is born in a fallen state and becomes the objects of God’s wrath and in need of salvation (Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 2:17, Genesis 3:6).
SALVATION -
God has a redemptive plan. Mankind’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. By repentance toward the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the washing, regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, being justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:5-7).
SEXUAL PURITY AND MARRIAGE -
God established the pattern of one man married to one woman as the only acceptable practice for a holy sexual union. We affirm chastity for Christian single men and women, and the sacredness of Christian marriage. We define marriage as a union between one biological man and one biological woman, and maintain the necessity of the Biblical standards of moral purity within that exclusive relationship. We also uphold that amorous and/or sexual contact between individuals of the same sex is sinful, as well as sexual contact
between opposite sex individuals outside the holy sacred covenant of marriage (Romans 1:26-27, 1 Cor. 6: 9-10).
HOLY SPIRIT -
All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the Baptism in the Holy Ghost, and fire, according to the command of the Lord Jesus Christ. This experience is distinct from the
previous experience of the new birth. Common evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost is the sign of speaking in tongues, although the most significant evidence is a supernatural ability and motivation to witness (Acts 1:4, 8).
HEALING -
Divine healing is an integral part of the Gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement and is the privilege of all believers (Matthew 8:16, 17).
ORDINANCES -
Baptism by immersion in water is commanded in the Scriptures. Holy Communion, or The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements of bread and the fruit of the vine, is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 6:4, I Corinthians 10:16).
THE FUTURE -
Jesus Christ will come again to the earth personally, bodily, and visibly. His coming will precede the age of universal peace and righteousness foretold in the Scriptures. Those who have fallen asleep in Christ will be resurrected
and translated together with those who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord. There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the
false prophet will be consigned to everlasting punishment, which is the second death. According to His promise redeemed man will look for the new heaven and the new earth (Titus 2:13, Revelation 21:1).
ARTICLE XI: AMENDMENTS
Section 1: Power of Board of Directors to Amend By-laws
The by-laws of this corporation may be amended, repealed, or added to, or new by- laws may be adopted by a resolution of the board of directors.
Section 2: Amendments to the By-laws
Anytime the by-laws are amended, Go To Nations officers shall receive the newly
revised by-laws