Bi-laws/rules of Dayspring Ministries.
Article 1
The system of by-laws and rules hereby set forth are for our future guidance in governing this ministering body. Headquarters shall be located either at the home of the President of Dayspring Ministries, or upon the board’s decision, at another location. The purpose of this ministry is to set up a Christ centered meeting in every avenue that God opens to us. We will provide spiritually mature, equipped, motivated men and women to serve as Christian volunteer chaplains.
Our belief is that Jesus Christ is the Son of God that He was born of a virgin, died on the cross for our sin, raised on the third day and sits at the right hand of the Father.
We believe in being born again and that it is a personal experience.
We believe in the gifts of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
We believe in the spiritual gifts that are in the Holy Bible.
We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God.
We believe that God’s power is real, that He heals, and that His miracle power is still working today.
Article 2
The board will be made up of at least five mature Christian (dedicated to jail, prison and street ministry). Each member of the Board will be born again, filled with the spirit, walking in the Spirit and will of God and will be chosen through prayer and fasting.
President: John Spier
Vice President: Richard Dickenson
Treasurer: Michelle Spier
Secretary: Sharon Baker
Board Members: John Spier, Mark Hall, Richard Dickenson, Michelle Spier, Sharon Baker, Kim Lowe, David Melvin
Amendments to the By-Laws, 3/20/09
No sitting board member will be able to receive any financial compensation, except reimbursement for necessary expenses they may spend for the ministry.
Rev. Robert Eldon Dickenson is the Founder of Dayspring Ministries and served as the President from conception (long before the ministry incorporated in 1983) until 2007. He established how the ministry would operate in the different facilities. He demonstrated a passion to minister the gospel to the individual inmates in the confines of the facilities rules and regulations. It is because of Rev. Bob’s fine character Dayspring Ministries has superb integrity among its volunteers and in the penal system.
Any board member of official can resign from office by giving a thirty day notice which will then be accepted by the board. If the President should resign, die, or be asked to resign for any reason at all, the board will select and elect a new President for this ministry. It will take a two-thirds majority vote of the board to require a President to step down.
Each State will have its own governing board for each one of its groups. It will be self supporting in that it will be taken care of and satisfied by its own finances out of what- ever funds it raises. The main headquarters will be here in Washington State. This will be the main headquarters but it will not control each individual ministry.
Article 3
Any of the powers enumerated above which are not in themselves in furtherance of exclusively religious, charitable and educational purposes shall not be exercised by this ministry, except as an insubstantial part of its activities. There will be salaries of officer’s expenses that will be deducted from the ministry; later having full-time ministers receiving a salary from the ministry. This ministry is organized and shall be operated exclusively for religious, charitable and educational purposes.
In the event of the dissolution of this ministry for any reason, all assets remaining after payment of debts, or provision of, shall be distributed for exclusively religious, charitable, and educational purposes within the intendment of Section 501 © (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or as it may hereafter be amended as dictated by the board.)
Article 4
The purpose of this body is to propagate the knowledge of Jesus Christ; to encourage ministers who have the call of God on their hearts to minister the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world and to assist them by fellowship, prayer and cooperation consistent with Christian service.
To hold in the minds of its members, due regard for the laws of the land and the duties they owe to God and mankind in general, both temporal and spiritual.
To spread the knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ to and through its ministers, assemblies, churches, missions, and to all persons who may be reached through its efforts to the end that all may have the blessings derived through the knowledge of the faith of Christ.
To buy, lease, own, possess and sell or manage such properties, both personal and real and to accept or manage any endowments or gifts as may become necessary through its members and those who may become interested in the advancement of the cause of dissemination of Biblical knowledge.
To spread the knowledge of the gospel of Christ by radio, literature, publications, television, or any way consistent with the Christian practices. To accept funds, such as free-will offerings, donations, endowments or any other legitimate manner in common usage in religious realms. Such monies, funds, endowments, shall be used for the purposes above set forth and herein after provided by its Board of Directors.
Article 5
1. The scriptures
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, written by holy men of old as they were moved of the Holy Ghost. The New Covenant, which is recorded in the New Testament, we accept as our infallible guide pertaining to conduct and doctrine (II Peter 1:20-21 ~ II Timothy 3:16
2. The God-head
Our God is one, but represented in three personalities; the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God the Father is greater than all. (John 14:28) Begetter: The Son is the Word, flesh-covered, the one begotten of the Father. The Son was with the Father in the beginning (John 1:1) The Holy Spirit, third person in the Godhead, proceeds from the Father, Son and is eternal. (John 15:26)
3. Man, His fall
In the beginning, God created man in His own image and likeness. ( Genesis 1:27) By Adam’s disobedience and fall, sin came into the world. (Genesis 3:1-30) In this act, mankind has inherited a sinful nature from the forefathers. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. There is none righteous, no not one. (Romans 3:23)
4. Mans Redemption
Salvation is the gift of God. Since man’s utter helplessness to save himself, God sent His only begotten Son into the world to die for mankind, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3: 16-17) The vicarious sacrifice, of the blood of Christ for our atonement for sin. (Romans 3:25) Justification by faith in the blood of Christ. (Acts 13:38)
Healing is the gift of God. By His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5) Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. (Matthew 8:17) Healing is a part of the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ and must be presented to mankind.
5. New Birth
New birth is demanded. Jesus said unto him, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Neither can he enter the kingdom of God. (John 3:3-5)
6. The Church
The Church is the body of Christ and all true believers are members thereof.
7. Water Baptism
Baptism in water is by immersion. It is a direct command of the Lord (Matthew 28:19). It is the outward declaration of one’s submission to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is essential to a progressive Christian life.
8. Baptism of the Holy Spirit
The baptism of the Holy Ghost is the gift of God to the Church, or the truly surrendered believer. (Mark 16:17) Jesus said He would send the Holy Spirit as a guide, comforter and teacher. He also said, “Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
Peter told on the day of Pentecost, “For the promise is unto you and your children and unto all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:39)
The baptism of the Holy Ghost is received subsequent to the new birth and in this present Church dispensation is given as it was given on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Ghost fell on all them that were in the upper room and they spake as the Holy Ghost gave them utterance in other tongues. (Languages)
9. The Lord’s Supper
The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper is a command of Jesus and is strictly administered to believers only. In partaking of this ordinance we do show forth the Lord’s death till he come. ( I Corinthians 11:26)
The institution of this ordinance is left up to the discretion of each assembly, or body; but we recommend unfermented grape juice in connection with the same.
10. Ministry
God, through the Holy Ghost, calls such as He desires to be witnesses of these truths and to minister His salvation to mankind throughout the world. These He sets forth as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. For the perfecting of the saints; for the work of the ministry; for the edifying of the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-12)
This calling of God is distinctly set forth by the moving of the Holy Spirit upon one qualified by the gifts of God to minister. No man or woman should deceive themselves by believing they are called of God to minister without first being set apart by the true witness of the gifts of the Holy Ghost to accomplish the ministry they are called unto.
The gifts and calling of God are without repentance. God specifically endues one called with talents and gifts peculiar to that office or offices. (Ephesians 4:11-16)
The efficiency of this ministerial fellowship as an evangelistic agency, largely, if not wholly, depends upon the spiritual qualification, character and manner of life of its ministers.
The minister of Christ is to be in all things a pattern to the flock in diligence, earnestness, discretion and punctuality. By longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit and love.
The Minister of the gospel in this fellowship must know he has peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; should live a victorious life and embrace the surrendered life to Christ. He must lead the people under his charge to clean living.
He should have the baptism of the Holy Ghost; ( though he may not have received the gift, he should seek God for same) for it is very essential to progressive ministry (Acts 1:8)
A minister must have gifts as well as grace for the work he is called to do. He will have a thirst for knowledge, especially for the Word of God.
He must exercise sound judgment and good understanding. A clear view concerning the plan of redemption as it is revealed in the scriptures. Saints will be edified, sinners converted. He must be an example in prayer.
Our ministers must be loyal to Christ, to the brethren and to our fellowship; loyal to the laws of our land, loyal to the charge over which he is called to minister. He must be loyal to the church body that they attend, and loyal to his pastor and under his subjection.
1. relation to war
Whereas we believe our Government is ordained of God, and whereas we are thankful to the Government of the United States of America for the freedom to worship god according to the dictates of our own conscience, and whereas the Lord Jesus Christ has taught us, “Thou shalt not kill,” therefore be it resolved, that in times of war we shall be glad to be of service to our Government in any way consistent with our own personal convictions.
Article 6
All ministering done through this body will be accomplished in accordance with the rules and regulations of the institution at which the ministering is being done and subject to all authorities of that institution. All violations will be subject to disciplinary action of the Board of Directors.
No representative of this ministry shall falsely represent this ministry in any way. Any such actions are subject to disciplinary action by the Board of Directors.
Prophecy Over Dayspring Ministries—Bob Dickenson For thus saith the Lord, my son; behold the Lord shall go with thee, year, and he shall bring thee into an enlarged place. Behold, saith
the Lord, I shall add to thee an army, yea, with same Spirit upon them that is upon thee and, yea, it shall not be here only but it shall be all over where so ever I shall send them and thou shalt surely be a director under my power. Yea, for thus saith the Lord, I shall soon bring thee into attention with those that are authorities and I shall go before thee and I shall be thy attorney in all matters for, behold saith the Lord, I shall give thee many souls. I shall give thee many souls for they desire, yea, and for thy faithfulness.
For thus saith the Lord, I shall also open up to thee even the treasure of heaven and thou shall be blessed beyond thy measure and thou shalt not be able to contain what the Lord thy God shall give unto thee; and, thus saith the Lord, thou shalt not stand alone but behold have I appointed unto thee even an angel and he shall watch over thee and keep thee and he shall guide thee in the affairs that thou has started upon. For thus saith the Lord God, behold, thou shalt therefore stand forth and thou shalt name the Lord thy God to those and behold shall penetrate the very darkness that they sit in; and a light shall spring forth, yea, even as the day shall it spring forth into their hearts and the Lord shall be with thee.
For this is not thy work but it is mine and I say unto thee, yea my son, go ye forth and behold I shall plant thee and from a place shalt thou work and the Lord shall give thee an army. For thus saith the Lord therefore, lift ye holy hands unto the Lord thy God and praise Him. Hallelujah.
And when thou shall be brought before these men thou shalt not look here or there what thou shalt say but my Spirit shall take thy tongue and I shall speak through thee; behold, thou mayest be able to with knowledge and wisdom yea to speak to these men that they shall understand. Though they be not mine, behold, I shall even give thee those.
For thus saith the Lord God, behold, I shall cause thee to break forth in a new song and even as the day spring forth, the Lord hath delight in thee my son that thou hast taken this upon thyself; but yea, it is not yours but it is mine and thus saith the Lord, go ye forth now in my name and thou shalt be more than a conqueror and the Lord shall give thee many that shall be with thee in heaven on that day appointed.
Also is the Lord doing a healing within thee, yea, into thy heart God is giving thee a new heart; and thou shalt be relaxed and behold thy nerves are healed in the name of Jesus. For hath the Lord given unto thee even a spirit of calm; and thou shalt not be afraid what thou shalt speak but thou shalt only speak my Word. For it is the Lord thy God that is with thee and in thee, therefore, go ye forth my son.
For again I say unto thee, have I appointed and angel and he shall guide thee into all matters of business. Yea, for it is my business and thou art but the steward. But I shall bless thee and I shall cause thy hands to prosper. Whatsoever thou shalt touch, yea thou shalt prosper. Fear not, but only believe; and go ye forth for the harvest is ripe. Yea, and I shall send ye to them but I shall send an army with thee, saith God Psalm 6:10 Given by Evangelist Paul Etter 7/23/81 at a brush Arbor meeting Hermiston Oregon.