FICA was found in 1989 and later registered as a non-profit organization in 1990. The idea came when Mr. David Bok challenged Indonesian students attending the Navigators International Student Conference (ISC) to be the Nehemiah to our own nation, Indonesia.
FICA was born from the Indonesian Christian Conference (ICC). This yearly event, first held in 1985, had the purpose of reaching people with the Gospel, equipping and building each other, and sharing information and visions among Indonesian Christians in the United States. The vision was Indonesian Christians who are spiritually strong, have a close relationship with God, and can be the salt and light for Christ everywhere they go.
Through these conferences, many people received Jesus as their personal Savior for the first time while many others recommitted themselves to Christ. Indonesian Christians were challenged about the strong need for mission in Indonesia. Unity among Indonesian Christian Fellowships (ICFs) in the Midwest became stronger. New ICFs were established while other ICFs were strengthened. In spite of these successes, follow-up became an issue. Other critical factors included financial issues and the lack of continuity from one ICC to the next one. The last (9th) ICC was held in 1993, located in Colorado.
During the struggle of ICC’s development, the key people in ICC had a clearer focus. It was felt that there was a need for an organization that can empower other body of Christ in the US, to produce strong Christians who can make a Christian impact in any environment they are. At the 5th ICC, in 1989, FICA was born. Through prayers and many discussions, the name FICA was chosen, which stands for Fellowship of Indonesian Christians in America.
FICA has these goals for Indonesian Christians in America: to motivate them to be actively involved in various Christian ministries in Indonesia, to mobilize them to serve the Church of Jesus Christ, to revive them so that they could live a genuine Christian lifestyle, and to reach Indonesians in America with the Gospel of Christ. FICA is partners with ICFs, other churches, para churches, and Christian organizations in America to achieve its goals. FICA is still evolving in its strategy, culture, and organizational structure, according to the needs of Indonesia and Indonesians.