Background

The Full Gospel Business Men Fellowship International (FGBMFI) is a global organization present in more than 160 countries world-wide with its headquarters in the United States of America. It was found in 1952 in Los Angeles by Mr. Demos Shakarian- a wealthy dairy farmer of Armenian origin. The expression FULL GOSPEL in the name of the association is central to the vision of the organization as stated by its founder, it represents miracle healings, speaking in tongues and powerful deliverances.

"The ministry is about people who can talk about God and demonstrate the power of God in their lives and meetings. BUSINESS MEN are ordinary people that become extraordinary through the power of the Holy Spirit. FELLOWSHIP is a group of people who love to get together (participating, community, koinonia) and witness the love, reality and compassion of Jesus Christ. INTERNATIONAL represents a deep concern for every nation and race, the whole world, all flesh."

The FGBMFI works through local Chapters with 10 to 20 members, and the individual chapters are then linked with regional, national and international networks. Chapters are the main platforms through which the soul winning business takes place. Members are average business people who know the Lord and love him but haven't known how to show it. They tell testimonials and what is experienced of God to other men like themselves who might not believe what a preacher says, but will listen to a plumber, dentist, salesman, entrepreneur or managers as themselves. It is about reaching men through unique methods not within usual church settings.

Establishment

The Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International is operating in more than in more than 170 countries world-wide. In Tanzania it was registered as a social organization with registration number SO. 6702 on 21st February 1991. It has more than 500 members distributed in 20 local chapters in several regions including Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Mwanza, Dodoma and Zanzibar.