Tikvah Team Volunteer Release and Waiver of Liability Form   

This Release and Waiver of Liability (the “release”) executed on {date} by {fullName} ("Volunteer") releases The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry (also referred as FOI) a nonprofit corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New Jersey and each of its directors, officers, employees, and agents. The Volunteer desires to provide volunteer services for FOI and engage in activities related to serving as a volunteer.

Volunteer understands that the scope of Volunteer’s relationship with FOI is limited to a volunteer position and that no compensation is expected in return for services provided by Volunteer; FOI will not provide any benefits traditionally associated with employment to Volunteer; and that Volunteer is responsible for his/her own insurance coverage in the event of personal injury or illness as a result of Volunteer’s services to FOI.

1. Waiver and Release: I, release and forever discharge and hold harmless FOI and its successors and assigns from any and all liability, claims, and demands of whatever kind of nature, either in law or in equity, which arise or may hereafter arise from the services I provide to FOI. I understand and acknowledge that this Release discharges The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry from any liability or claim that I may have against FOI with respect to bodily injury, personal injury, illness, death, or property damage that may result from the services I provide to FOI or occurring while I am providing volunteer services.

2. Insurance: Further, I understand that The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry does not assume any responsibility for or obligation to provide me with financial or other assistance, including but not limited to medical, health, or disability benefits or insurance. I expressly waive any such claim for compensation or liability on the part of FOI.

3. Medical Treatment: I hereby Release and forever discharge The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry from any claim whatsoever which arises or may hereafter arise on account of any first-aid treatment or other medical services rendered in connection with an emergency during my tenure as a volunteer with FOI.

4. Assumption of Risk: I understand that the services I provide to The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry may include activities that may be unpredictable or unsafe for me, including, but not limited to, driving, lifting, pushing, pulling, use of cleaning chemicals, etc., involving inherently dangerous activities. As a volunteer, I hereby expressly assume risk of injury or harm from these activities and Release FOI from all liability.

5. Photographic Release: I grant and convey to The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry all right, title, and interests in any and all photographs, images, video, or audio recordings of me or my likeness or voice made by FOI in connection with my providing volunteer services to FOI.

6. Other: As a volunteer, I expressly agree that this Release is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of the State of New Jersey and that this Release shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey. I agree that in the event that any clause or provision of this Release is deemed invalid, the enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Release shall not be affected.

By signing below, I express my understanding and intent to enter into this Release and Waiver of Liability willingly and voluntarily.

Volunteer Expectations Agreement

1. Volunteers must agree with The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry's doctrinal statement.

2. Volunteers must be graduates of the Friends of Israel’s Bridges training program.

3. Volunteers working in any capacity with Friends of Israel must be at least 18 years of age or accompanied by a qualified adult. The working age as required by each state in accordance with the United States Fair Labor Standards act will apply.

4. Volunteers should act by the core values of Friends of Israel.

5. Volunteers should have a good testimony with everyone, especially with the world.

6. If any task makes you feel unsafe, or if it’s unhealthy to perform a specific task, report the condition to your FOI Volunteer Coordinator immediately.

7. Volunteers should refrain from smoking or use of non-prescription drugs during Tikvah volunteerism.

8. Volunteers should avoid profanity or sexual innuendos that are inappropriate as representatives of Christ.

9. Volunteers should treat people of all races, religions, and cultures with respect and consideration by acting and reacting with genuine Christan love and understanding in all situations.

10. Volunteers should avoid scenarios where you are alone with the opposite sex or with a minor other than your own.

11. Volunteers experiencing sickness or flu-like symptoms, immediately cancel your ministry until you are well.

12. Volunteers should be in regular attendance at a local church for fellowship and spiritual growth in the Lord Jesus.

13. Tikvah volunteers will report hours and ministry opportunities through our proprietary software or communication with FOI Volunteer Coordinator. 

I understand that any violation of this code may be grounds for removal as a volunteer and that this policy is subject to change at any time.

Background Check Policy

Notification:

This notification is to confirm that you are enrolling in The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry (FOI) Tikvah Team volunteer network. Part of applying to be a FOI volunteer includes a criminal background check to safeguard FOI, our staff, our constituents, and you.

If the background check reveals you have had a criminal conviction, FOI will make a determination regarding your suitability to volunteer. FOI will provide you with a summary of your criminal background check results, regardless of the outcome, and inform you if a conviction disqualifies you from volunteerism.

Criminal convictions and the accuracy of the information you have submitted to FOI will be considered in determining your suitability for volunteerism. Falsifying information submitted on the background check application or any other materials may be cause for denying your acceptance.

Agreement:

In connection with my enrollment to serve with FOI, I understand that a criminal background check will be requested by FOI and will include a search of the following: National Criminal Database, National Sex Offender Registry, Home State and County criminal records, Social Security Number verification, & Address history. In accordance with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, I hereby authorize The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry Inc. and its designated representatives to conduct this search.

The results of this check may be obtained at any time after receipt of this Disclosure and Authorization and if I serve as an FOI volunteer throughout the course of my service, as permitted by law and unless revoked by me in writing. I understand that I have the right, upon written request made within a reasonable amount of time after the receipt of this notice, to request disclosure of the nature and scope of any investigative report to FOI.

Acknowledgment and Authorization:

By signing below, I voluntarily and knowingly authorize FOI or its authorized agents to obtain or prepare consumer reports or investigative consumer reports about me. I certify that I have read this Disclosure and Authorization under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, Inc.

DOCTRINAL STATEMENT

I. BIBLE

We believe that the Bible, consisting of sixty-six books, is the inspired Word of God; that every part is fully and equally inspired; and that every single word of Scripture was produced under the control of the Holy Spirit (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21). We also accept the Scriptures in their entirety as being inerrant (in the original writings) and infallible. For this reason we are committed to the Bible as our final authority in all matters of doctrine, faith, and practice (Mt. 5:17; Jn. 17:17).

II. GOD

We believe that there is only one true, eternal, living God, who is sovereign over all things. God can be known through the many absolute and relative attributes revealed in the Scriptures (Ex. 3:14; Dt. 6:4; Col. 1:15–17). God is the source and sustainer of life. He, according to the counsel of His own will, decreed whatsoever comes to pass, including both His permissive will and His causal will (Isa. 14:24, 26–27; Eph. 1).

III. TRINITY

We believe, although there is only one true God, that God consists of three distinct persons, each of whom is coeternal and coequal. We believe that the Father is God, that the Son (Jesus, the Christ-Messiah) is God, and that the Holy Spirit is God (Dt. 6:4; Jn. 1:1; 14; 6:27; Acts 5:3–4).

IV. CHRIST

We believe the Lord Jesus Christ to be absolute Deity, the eternal Son of God, who became man without ceasing to be God. In the incarnation, He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Isa. 9:6–7; Mt. 1:18–25; Jn. 3:16; Heb. 1:8). We believe that Jesus Christ was both fully God and fully man at the same time (Phil. 2:5–8). We believe that He was totally holy by virtue of His miraculous birth and sinless life (2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15). We believe that Jesus Christ voluntarily laid down His life, the just dying for the unjust, making it possible for man to be saved (Jn. 10:17; Heb. 9:14, 28; 1 Pet. 3:18). We believe that He rose bodily from the dead on the third day after death, and that He ascended into heaven to the right hand of the Father (Jn. 2:19–22; Acts 1:9–11; Heb. 1:3). We believe that, presently, He is our Intercessor and Advocate, the only true Mediator between God and man (1Tim. 2:5; Heb. 4:14; 7:25; 1 Jn. 2:1). 

V. HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit is Deity, a divine person of the Godhead. He is not a force, but is truly a person and is equal with the Father and the Son (Acts 5:3–4). We believe that the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to all believers at the moment they are regenerated, and that these gifts are to be used for the edification and perfecting of the believers in the Church. We believe that the miraculous and sign gifts were given for a unique purpose to the first-century Church, but that they ceased at the end of that century (Rom. 12:3–8; 1 Cor. 12—14; Eph. 4:7–16; Heb. 2:3-4).

VI. MAN

We believe that God created man directly and instantaneously from the dust of the ground. Man was created in the image of God and was able to have intimate fellowship with God (Gen. 1:26–27; 2:7). We believe that marriage is a gift and act of God, joining two people together to make one flesh. God designed marriage to be an exclusive covenant between one biologically-born man and one biologicallyborn woman for life and that sexual relations are permissible only within the bonds of marriage (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4-6; Heb. 13:4). We believe that all of humanity fell away from God when Adam first sinned, and that the fall resulted in both physical and spiritual death for man. In this fallen condition, man was left totally depraved and unable to remedy his own situation (Gen. 3:6–13; Rom. 5:12–21; 1 Cor. 15:21–22; Eph. 2).

VII. SIN

We believe that sin is anything that does not conform to the character and nature of God (1 Jn. 3:4). We believe that all mankind sinned in Adam, the head of the human race, and that each human being has a sin nature, and also has committed personal sin (Rom. 1:18; 3:23; 5:12; 1 Jn. 1:8–10).

VIII. SALVATION

We believe that salvation is the act of God whereby man is brought into a proper relationship with God. It is that act where spiritually dead man is made spiritually alive (Ps. 3:8; Jon. 2:9; Eph. 2:1–2). We believe that this is accomplished by the grace of God through man’s faith in the death (shed blood), burial, and bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:1–4; Eph. 2:8–10). We believe that salvation involves three things for the believer: deliverance from the penalty of sin at the moment of regeneration; victory over the power of sin during the Christian life; and deliverance from the presence of sin at glorification. We believe that salvation positionally sanctifies the believer, but that the believer needs to experience, in his daily life, progressive sanctification (Rom. 6:14; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:20–21). 

IX. SATAN AND ANGELS

We believe in the existence of the person of Satan. He was created by God as the greatest of angels, but later rebelled against God. After he fell, he organized his own kingdom, which consists of both evil angels and unregenerate man. He is currently the ruler-god of this age. Satan’s ultimate goal is to overthrow God. He seeks to keep the unsaved from becoming saved. He seeks to hinder and destroy the Christian’s testimony and ministry for God. We believe that both Satan and his evil angels will be consigned to the eternal Lake of Fire after the Millennium (Isa. 14:12–17; Ezek. 28:11–19; Mt. 25:41; Jn. 8:44; Rev. 20:7–10). We believe that there is an innumerable host of angels who remained faithful and true to God. They are servants to the Most High God and are ministering spirits to those who are heirs of salvation (Ps. 91:11–12; Mt. 4:6; Acts 12:7–10; Rev. 7:11).

X. CHURCH

We believe that the true Church is a universal, invisible, living organism and that it is the “body of Christ” who is Himself the head of this body. The universal Church is made up of regenerate, redeemed believers only (1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:22–23; 5:23; Col. 1:18). We believe that the Church began on the day of Pentecost; that every believer was indwelt/baptized by the Holy Spirit into the one body of Christ, which is the Universal Church (Jn. 14:16–17; Acts 1:4–5; 2:1–4; 1 Cor. 12:13). We believe that the Scriptures teach that there are to be local churches. These churches are to be the visible representation of the body of Christ in the local community. Local churches are to observe the ordinances of Christ and seek to do the will of God (Mt. 28:19–20; Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 1:2; 11:23–28). We believe that the local church should be totally committed to the edifying (developing to maturity) of the believers and also should have an active outreach in evangelism (1 Cor. 14; Eph. 4:11–16).

XI. ISRAEL

We believe that Israel is God’s chosen national people (Gen. 28:13). In God’s sovereign will, Israel serves as a channel of His blessing to the entire world (Gen. 12:3) for His glory (Isa. 43:7), and His witness to the nations (Isa. 43:10). God’s election of Israel for this unique relationship is irrevocable (Ro. 11:28-29). We believe Israel is distinct from the church and central to God’s plan, past, present, and future. The unfulfilled prophecies given to Israel in the Old Testament will find their literal fulfillment in Israel at a future time (Ps. 105:6-10).

XII. ESCHATOLOGY

We believe in the premillennial and pretribulational return of Jesus Christ. This means that Christ’s return for His Bride (the Church) is imminent and therefore can happen at any moment (1 Th. 4:13–17; 5:6). We believe that, following the Rapture of the Church; the seven-year Tribulation Period (Daniel’s 70th week, or the Time of Jacob’s Trouble) will take place (Dan. 9:24–27; 2 Th. 2:3–4). We believe that following the Tribulation, the Millennium will begin. It will be brought about by the literal, physical, visible, bodily return of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth to rule and to reign for one thousand years (Zech. 14:1–4; Rev. 19:20).

XIII. ETERNAL STATE

We believe in the eternal punishment of the lost and the eternal bliss of the redeemed (Jn. 3:16; Rev. 20:11–15).