About
CMF Board of Directors
Sharing Worldwide a deeper understanding of the Word of God, and guidance in living a Christ-filled life
John DiCesare
Past President, Board Member
jdicesare(a)cmfellowship.org
Bruce Blake
First VP, Main Office, Donations
vpfirst(a)cmfellowship.org
36 Chapel Lane, Somersworth, NH 03878
Percy Blenman
Board Member
pblenman(a)cmfellowship.org
Bob Whittaker
Board Member
bwhittaker(a)cmfellowship.org
Bo Shaw
VP Administration
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M. W. Finkbeiner
Treasurer
treasurer(a)cmfellowship.org
treasurer(a)cmfellowship.org
Dennis Gorham
Chair Editorial Board
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Gus Vassilopoulos
President
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J. J. Bowks
VP Communications
Language translations
Christian Degree Programs
Bookkeeper
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+1 (646) 470-9617
Steve Teunis
VP Resource Development
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Allan Crawford
VP Bible Correspondence Course
VP Bible Correspondence Course
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P.O. Box 540, Warrenville, IL 60555Gordon Coulson
Secretary to the President
Director Information Technology
Editor New Creation Magazine
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Colin Larose
Bible Correspondence Course
Bible Correspondence Course
clarose(a)cmfellowship.org
Manny Machado
Director Advisory Council Chairman
mmachado(a)cmfellowship.org
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the History of Free Bible Students and Christian Millenial Fellowship?
We believe:
• That there is only one Almighty God over all: The Father. (1 Corinthians 8:6)
• That Jesus had a pre-human existence as the Logos, God’s Only Begotten Son. (John 1:1 & 14)
• That Jesus was miraculously conceived in Mary by the Holy Spirit and born flesh. (Luke 1:35)
• That Jesus was raised from the grave, at which time the Father endued him with all power and authority in heaven and earth. (Matthew 28:18)
• That Jesus is the only way, the truth and the life and there is no other name by which man can be saved. (Acts 4:12; John 14:6)
• That salvation is by grace and God’s works of faith, and not by works of law or self. (Eph 2:8-10).
• That Jesus paid the price for all men and will bring all to opportunity to eternal life through their own Judgment day, their day of sanctification. (1 Timothy 2:5-6)
• That the Judgment day for all will include a time of “learning righteousness” and for developing perfect sanctification; the “righteousness of God.” (Isaiah 26:9)
• That God is presently selecting a Bride for His Son. Those who make their "calling and election sure" (their Judgment day), will be raised in the “first resurrection.” (John 5:29a)
• That those raised in the first resurrection, become joint heirs with Christ to rule in his future earthly Millennial Kingdom. (Revelation 20:4 & 6)
• That Jesus will bring back all the rest of mankind in the second resurrection for their Judgment day in the future Millennial Age. (John 5:29b)
• That the Bible is the inspired Word of God and should be studied contextually as well as topically. The Bible is the final authority for Christians. (2Timothy 3:16-17)
• That it is the Holy Spirit of God that leads us into all truth. (John 16:13)
• That individual congregations, (ecclesias), make their own decisions as led by the Holy Spirit.
• That the door to the “high calling” (the bride of Christ) is open during the present Gospel Age till the Millennial Age begins.
• Being baptized is required to show one’s public declaration before their brethren of their acceptance of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior; and that they have made a firm decision to follow Him, offering their bodies as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1, 2) unto death with Christ, that they might be resurrected in His likeness (Romans 6:3-5).
• That the great work of this Gospel Age for all disciples of Christ is:
1) Submitting to the Spirit's sanctification by complete faithfulness to God in all the providences through which He leads us to His perfect will.
2) Being faithful servants in evangelizing (preaching the Gospel; the Good News) to all the willing of humankind, and in discipling (helping to bring to full obedience and spiritual maturity and responsibility) all followers of Christ.
At the beginning of the 18th Century the Great Awakening spread across Europe and America and continued into the 19th century. Many Bible Societies arose as a result, and the distribution of the Word of God was great. This created an environment in the United States and Europe of personal inquiry into many doctrinal topics that had been previously unexplored. Concurrently, a plurality of Bible helps such as concordances, dictionaries, commentaries, and histories were created. The prospect of a better understanding of God's character and plan was met with joy and expectation. Students of Scripture were arriving at conclusions that inspired a revival in the Christian community; especially regarding the soon-expected second coming of Christ.
One of these groups developed around the leadership of Charles T. Russell, a lay preacher and Bible student, who devoted his life and considerable fortune to publishing and promoting his teachings. A prolific writer, he developed an organization that was world-wide in scope. But after his death in 1916, that organization became fixed in thought and restricted in freedoms. A number of Christians had left in 1909 due to theological disagreements and, after Russell's death, more left for greater liberty in Christ. Two of the groups formed in 1909 became known as the New Covenant Fellowship and the New Covenant Believers.
In 1928 a group of Christians in the Hartford, Connecticut area formed a congregation and were known as the New Creation Fellowship. Gaetano Boccaccio was one of their elders, and, in 1940, he began to publish The New Creation magazine regularly. This ministry expanded to publishing tracts and booklets as well as the magazine, which is now distributed world-wide, and was known as Christian Millennial Fellowship (CMF). With the death of Br. Boccaccio in 1996, the work was continued under the oversight of Elmer Weeks of Port Murray, New Jersey, USA.
In the fall of 2011 CMF began doing business as Christian Discipling Ministries International (CDMI) to better reflect our preaching and disciple-making mission. New management worked on the transition while Elmer Weeks continued as editor of The New Creation magazine. He was succeeded by Jim Sochacki in 2016, who was succeeded by Robert Whittaker in 2019, and then by Gordon Coulson of Langley B.C., Canada, in January of 2026. There are now many free Christian congregations in foreign countries that have embraced CMF / CDMI’s message and are actively spreading the gospel.
CMF / CDMI is supported by the generosity of donors from around the world. All its publications are offered free of charge. The CMF / CDMI staff are volunteers who donate their time and energy to the Lord. CMF / CDMI cooperates freely with all independent free Christian congregations and any who desire growth in their walk with God by providing booklets, tracts, The New Creation magazine, Bible courses, and opportunities to join Zoom-based Bible study groups.
What are some of the Beliefs of CMF / CDMI?
It is essential that we never lose sight of the fact that our faith is not simply a list of statements about us or our church community. Our faith is based on a relationship — a relationship with Jesus Christ. This provides the basis for a relationship with each other. This should always be the foundation of our understanding of the Christian identity. Once we understand this, then we can use the statements below to describe this relationship in more detail.We believe:
• That there is only one Almighty God over all: The Father. (1 Corinthians 8:6)
• That Jesus had a pre-human existence as the Logos, God’s Only Begotten Son. (John 1:1 & 14)
• That Jesus was miraculously conceived in Mary by the Holy Spirit and born flesh. (Luke 1:35)
• That Jesus was raised from the grave, at which time the Father endued him with all power and authority in heaven and earth. (Matthew 28:18)
• That Jesus is the only way, the truth and the life and there is no other name by which man can be saved. (Acts 4:12; John 14:6)
• That salvation is by grace and God’s works of faith, and not by works of law or self. (Eph 2:8-10).
• That Jesus paid the price for all men and will bring all to opportunity to eternal life through their own Judgment day, their day of sanctification. (1 Timothy 2:5-6)
• That the Judgment day for all will include a time of “learning righteousness” and for developing perfect sanctification; the “righteousness of God.” (Isaiah 26:9)
• That God is presently selecting a Bride for His Son. Those who make their "calling and election sure" (their Judgment day), will be raised in the “first resurrection.” (John 5:29a)
• That those raised in the first resurrection, become joint heirs with Christ to rule in his future earthly Millennial Kingdom. (Revelation 20:4 & 6)
• That Jesus will bring back all the rest of mankind in the second resurrection for their Judgment day in the future Millennial Age. (John 5:29b)
• That the Bible is the inspired Word of God and should be studied contextually as well as topically. The Bible is the final authority for Christians. (2Timothy 3:16-17)
• That it is the Holy Spirit of God that leads us into all truth. (John 16:13)
• That individual congregations, (ecclesias), make their own decisions as led by the Holy Spirit.
• That the door to the “high calling” (the bride of Christ) is open during the present Gospel Age till the Millennial Age begins.
• Being baptized is required to show one’s public declaration before their brethren of their acceptance of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior; and that they have made a firm decision to follow Him, offering their bodies as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1, 2) unto death with Christ, that they might be resurrected in His likeness (Romans 6:3-5).
• That the great work of this Gospel Age for all disciples of Christ is:
1) Submitting to the Spirit's sanctification by complete faithfulness to God in all the providences through which He leads us to His perfect will.
2) Being faithful servants in evangelizing (preaching the Gospel; the Good News) to all the willing of humankind, and in discipling (helping to bring to full obedience and spiritual maturity and responsibility) all followers of Christ.
Does CMF / CDMI make decisions or influence Free Bible Student Congregations?
CMF / CDMI is engaged in publishing biblical content and Christian discipling efforts only. It exercises no authority over any Christian believer and has no interest in becoming a religious headquarters of any kind.