The Apostle's Feet

A Statement Regarding Finances
Issued by: Apostles Craig and Colette Toach

Acts 4:35 And laid [them] down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made to every man according as he had need

When it comes to the subject of money, things can start to get very messy in the Church. It is one of the greatest sources of conflict and contention. Apostle Paul understood this very well himself when he said:

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

The love of money can destroy the work of God and crush relationships. It can bring strife, jealousy and every other nasty fruit of the flesh. That is why Craig and I want to be clear regarding our stand with finances.

Below is a summarized list of our convictions regarding finances in the church and regarding how we also handle our own finances. Our convictions are based on the Word and what God has shown us through revelation. We do not oppose those that might disagree with this stand, however we will not apologize for our stand either.

By walking in the light, we pray that you have a keener understanding of our position and perhaps even encourage you with regards to your own ministry.

1. Why The 'Gifts and Fees' Button on Every Site?

I feel as uncomfortable as you when I see a 'donation' button on websites of ministries. Let's be honest with one another. You often get the impression that all they want is your money. Unfortunately because some ministries have misused giving, it has given the Body of Christ a bad taste in the mouth.

At one time we took the button off all our sites, but then we started getting requests from people who really did want to give gifts. Some wanted to give to a particular staff member. Others just wanted to show their appreciation.

There were others who found the feature helpful as well when paying for student fees and books and needed one place to make a single payment.

2. Apostolic Movement International is Registered as a Business

For many years now it has been common for churches to register under 5013c as a charity organization, allowing them to give tax deductions for any donations.

Please note that we DO NOT offer tax deduction for any gifts that you give. The original Ministry Team sought the Lord on this carefully and after Apostle Les put together his teaching on the Solomon Succession, we realized what a bondage it truly is to register as a tax exempt organization.

Therefore we are registered as Apostolic Movement International, LLC

As a business we have the right to decide where our finances will go and who we will bless. We also retain the right to purchase, give away and bless anyone as we see fit. As a business we also have freedom of speech that is restricted to those with tax exempt status.

Ours is not a unique stand and we are seeing more and more ministries taking this position. We gladly 'give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's!" For our full conviction you can read The Solomon Succession by Apostle Les D. Crause as he shares the position that today's End Times Apostles are in as they are called by God to handle finances in the church.

3. Our Conviction on Tithing and Love Offerings.

In the New Testament, everyone laid the finances at the feet of the Apostles and it was distributed accordingly. We follow the same pattern in this ministry. We do not promote tithing, but rather New Testament Giving where we give to one another because we are in covenant in Christ. To read more on New Testament Tithing, please click here.

Where Does All the Money Go?

Since leaving South Africa in 1998 this ministry has grown way beyond our expectations. However the Lord never allowed us to remain stagnant. Each time our finances grow, so do our responsibilities! Craig and I now support three families and a full staff compliment full time. We cover all housing, expenses and office equipment.

In addition to that we publish and produce all of our materials in house. All profit that is made gets put directly back into production or it is sown into other ministries as God leads us.

Most of our finances come in via our online schools and sales from our bookshop. All of the AMI Team have full knowledge of where our finances stand at all times and we share all things in common. When the ministry suffers a loss or theft, it is faithful servants of God that suffer.

As a result we pray together, put our faith out together and there is no need too great or small that we do not carry as one. When you give to AMI or if you purchase a product you are not just doing business. You are extending the work of God and allowing us to take the incredible resources we have into the Church Universal!

4. ULTIMATE GIVING: Faith, Hope and Love

Above all else, our strongest conviction is that it is not the amount you give, but rather the spirit with which you give it. Our founding Father Apostle Les D. Crause has portrayed it so perfectly in The Way of Blessing.

Our premise is this:

• The currency of heaven is faith, hope and love
• If you want to make a 'deposit' into your heavenly bank account, you must give in this correct currency.
• How do you do that? It is simple. When you give your money, time, ministry or anything else in faith, hope and love, then you are sowing into the Kingdom of God!

At our conferences you will hear it clearly. If you cannot give with a spirit of faith, hope and love, then we advise you not to give, because you will lose your reward. However if you have heard from God and you feel moved with love to reach out and to bless Craig and I along with our faithful team, then your reward is sure.

God is not standing by to curse you if you do not give. He is standing by to bless you when you give in love. We cannot think of any greater blessing.

Jesus said the same thing Himself:

Matt 12:43 And he called [to him] his disciples, and says to them, Truly I say to you, That this poor widow has cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury

She gave with a true heart of giving. It is easy to give what is comfortable. It is easy to give what you OWE. We do not teach to give what you owe. We teach you to give because of the covenant we have in Christ Jesus. The early church did this and the book of Acts tells us that the Lord added to the Church daily!

To The Faithful Ones

We do not want to end without sharing our deep appreciation for those who have been moved of God to give to us out of their abundance and often their own lack. If ever you are grateful for the free MP3's or other materials we make available, that thanks goes to our faithful Partners.

On The Brink of Something New

Craig and I invite you to join us in our convictions. If you have your own ministry, then do not be afraid to be bold in what you believe! Faith truly does move mountains.

If you really do want to support us then please purchase our materials at the AMI Bookshop or sign up as a Partner or a Student. We are not afraid of hard work and we will gladly give our lives for the work of the Lord Jesus.

We are on the brink of something new in the Body of Christ and we as a Team are riding the wave of it with awe and anticipation.

The Lord is calling the Church not only to return to the pattern that He set in place for the early church but to rise up into something even greater as the End Times Church! Whether we like it or not, finances play a large part of that and I pray that after reading this, you feel a challenge in your spirit.

It is time that the church changes it's view. It is time that believers learn to give with hearts of faith, hope and love and not out of fear.

When we do that, we will see God move His hand and finances will no longer be an issue. Businesses will flourish, the Fivefold Ministry will rise up to build the correct foundation.

Then finally, the church will be as a City on a Hill!