It would be remiss for us to discuss the history of Faith in Action Covenant Ministries and its Presiding Prelate without also discussing the history of the local assembly from which the vision of FIACM was launched.  In addition to being the Presiding Prelate of Faith in Action Ministries International, Bishop Russell is the Senior Pastor of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Norfolk and Suffolk, Virginia. 

As God spoke the earth in existence, He had a vision in mind to birth a ministry family that would be tailored to meet the needs of a community of believers; that would revolutionize the world; and would maximize its resources to advance the Kingdom and message of God.

The vision was first deposited in the hearts of Wesley and Susie Pringle of Norfolk, Virginia.  On August 18, 1938, Mt. Carmel was birthed from the spiritual into the natural realm.  By October of that same year, the ministry had already outgrown their Brambleton Avenue home and was moved to 721 East Princess Anne Road in Norfolk.

The name Mt. Carmel was chosen in honor of God’s mighty move through the prophet Elijah.  Hundreds of false prophets were destroyed and God was shown to be the one and only true and living God.  Likewise, the Mt. Carmel ministry family was created to be an example of God’s power and a beacon of faith -- not just to the world, but to other churches, to backsliders and to carnal Christians as well.

In March 1984, Clarence V. Russell, Jr. was installed as pastor of Mt. Carmel.  At the time, the 40-member congregation was renting its 721 East Princess Anne Rd. location from the Norfolk Redevelopment Housing Authority for $113 per month.  The building was dilapidated.  There were holes in the roof, holes in the floors and almost as many mice as church members.  The need for a new location was evident.

In March 1986, the land at 1100 Church Street was purchased and paid for in full and the $500 million project for the new edifice was begun.  Continued growth led to the addition of the overflow sections of the sanctuary (1990 & 1992) and the educational building (1993) which included the fellowship hall, a new office and second floor classrooms.  Since that time, continued growth and a vision of expansion and church planting has led to the cash purchase of several acres of land in Suffolk, Virginia and the birth of MCBC Suffolk at which point we became One Church in Two Locations. 

Along the journey, the assignment to establish an outreach ministry was appointed to Bishop Russell.  Members of the community who were active in other churches expressed a desire to be taught by Bishop Russell, but were not led to leave their own ministries.  To accommodate those persons, the Faith in Action worship service was begun in September 1999.  These Sunday evening services provided an opportunity to receive the Word as it was served from Bishop Russell and work ministry with the MCBC family without taking away from their ministry at their home churches. 

In addition, pastors in the community began to take note of the faithfulness and followship exemplified in the sons and daughters of Mt. Carmel.  Because they understood that the level of ministry and commitment shown by the MCBC family was the direct result of sound teachings and strong leadership, pastors began to seek counsel from Bishop Russell.  The leaders who came were strengthened through mentoring, impartation and “iron sharpening iron” dynamics.  From this interaction, Faith in Action Covenant Ministries was developed.  Faith in Action Covenant Ministries was formed to embrace and foster the following essential elements of covenant:

• To parent the Anointed through God-centered direction.  (1 Corinthians 4:15)
• To commit to dealing uprightly and with integrity one toward another.
• To establish strong relationships by accepting diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Today, FIACM’s reach extends across the continent with member pastors and ministries from several states.  Members are expected to commit to prayer and intercession for the ministry, to exhibit an attitude that is characteristically faithful, accountable and teachable and to show support by active financial partnering.  In exchange, covenantees receive spiritual “fathering” from Bishop Russell, direct contact with and assistance from the FIACM Executive Council members, training through workshops and seminars and a broad networking exchange of ecumenical fellowship, communion and referral services.