Over my 46 years of knowing Apostle Jim Hodges, there are some powerful three-word phrases like “brief and amazing” that seem to direct, motivate, and stay with you. One of those Kingdom revelatory phases is: “continuity and newness.” In this newsletter, Dr. Hope Taylor clearly lays out our heart and desire to proceed with both of these dynamics at work in our FMCI family. — Rodney Lord

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As the FMCI family and our trusted allied leaders launch into March 2026, two words have been actively stirring within me over the past couple of months and are relevant to our future. The words are — stewarding and building.

We are to steward what is while building what is to be in the Kingdom, and specifically, as it relates to FMCI. As Apostle Paul so passionately wrote in I Corinthians 9:16-17, he was under compulsion (a compelling force) as one having a stewardship entrusted to him relative to his apostolic calling. We may also call it a divine obligation to manage the “family affairs” which Father has birthed and providentially watched over through Apostle Jim and Jean for over three decades. My dear friend and co-laborer, Pastor Rodney Lord, and I are in agreement that we will, by God’s grace, faithfully steward the rich history and the Kingdom distinctiveness of FMCI.

Let me tell you about a very tender moment from a Zoom call last week with Brother Jim, Rodney, and I. As we were sharing some of the points I will momentarily touch on this letter, Brother Jim’s stellar, affirming nature and words arrested the conversation, which in turn demanded we pause and take in the significant moment. It seemed very appropriate to respond with words fit for such a time. Maybe not eloquent, yet entirely true, we stated, “Whatever God does in the future in and through FMCI, it will all be deeply rooted in our history. Rodney and I have no rogue bone in our bodies and are in full agreement that we are under divine obligation to steward forward!

The Greek verb oikodomeo means to build a house. The assignment on FMCI is to build what is to be. Each of us is clear that Jesus communicated His core assignment as recorded in Matthew 16:18, “I will build My church.” This happens on an individual level, as local church leaders, ministry leaders, marketplace leaders, and corporately as FMCI. Our core role is to build. Please hear the following items not as perfected ideas, but instead as a corporate prayer emphasis and building strategies for 2026 and beyond.

Recently, we spent a few days together in prayerful dialogue and Holy Spirit-led strategy sessions with the purpose of looking forward. What emerged was a sober, in-depth look at our core mission and its being prioritized for the next five years. One FMCI leader helped the overall discussion by using the word “imperatives” — items that are essential and current.

Some of the 2026 imperatives we see include:

• Upgrading our communication frequency and real-time updates. Culturally, the trend seems to be the use of texting more than emails. We hope to use both and need your current contact info to facilitate an accurate database and communications.
• Recruiting FMCI-connected leaders to serve on one of several teams. These teams will help build out our core initiatives, such as strengthening our collaboration with those leading international ministries while simultaneously broadening our discipling nations efforts.  
  
  
• 2026 spring, summer, and fall gatherings planning team. Our first gathering is the "South Central Summit," April 20–22 in Crawford, Texas. We also are working on an East Coast Summit, Upper Midwest Summit, and the annual October Conference, which is October 26–28, in Willis, Texas. Additionally, we anticipate some possible ‘strike force/round table’ type missions this year. Three key things to note are that many have expressed a desire for our gatherings to offer more time for building relationally, ministry networking, and a hosting of Father’s presence. Also, historically, our Regional Institutes have focused on the FMCI family gathering, which has been appreciated and healthy. In 2026, our prayer is that all FMCI-sponsored gatherings will feature the family while partnering with other ministries in a wider geographical footprint. This is built on the sense that our voice is needed beyond just the family. All registration links will be found at fmcinet.org.
• Growth and expansion: It's a joy to report to the FMCI family that we currently have four ministries seeking to join us. One is a well-established international network of approximately 20 local churches that has strong relationships with several FMCI leaders. One is a US-based local church. One serves in the civil government sphere. The other couple has a long history of serving in a local church setting, as well as their region. It's our sense these four ministries represent a door being opened to multiple 5-fold leaders, local churches, marketplace leaders, and seasoned believers desiring a relational and Kingdom-centered apostolic partnership. The strategy is to convene multi-generational voices using Zoom meetings to dialogue, pray, and develop strategies for growing the FMCI family while broadening our reach.
• FMCI products and resources. We have been blessed and entrusted with some incredible leaders as a network. The hope is to collaborate and offer to the larger Body of Christ resources that build the Kingdom of God.

Stewarding and building our 2026 imperatives,

Dr. Hope Taylor