Pastor Hal Oxley, founder of Life Ministry Centre – a large charismatic church in the Eastern suburbs ofMelbourne, felt God encourage him to plant outreach churches from Life Ministry Centre, around Victoria and New South Wales.

Between 1979 and 1990, LMC saw 23 outreach churches begin. Hal Oxley mentored each of the pastors, and as each church was strong enough, they became autonomous.

Fellowship was encouraged between the ministers, and in 1989, it became obvious that there would be a benefit in establishing a body recognised in Canberra, with the ability of providing both covering and fellowship for the ministers, and allowing for administrative needs such as Marriage Licensing. Thus began ACM (formerly ACAI).

Most of the outreach churches came under the umbrella of ACM, and their identity, whilst remaining independent and autonomous, was linked with ACM, with Hal Oxley being the founding Chairman.

Enquiries began to come from other independent churches, both in Victoria, and other states of Australia, interested in being a part of ACM, and coming under the covering of such.

A National Executive was formed to formalise and process applications. Other churches soon began joining in the fellowship.

Monthly meetings were held, and ministers from other churches and denominations started to show an interest in attending. Hal Oxley thus formed the ministers’ fellowship – ACMI. This led to chapters being formed in different states around Australia and overseas. ACMI (Associated Christian Ministers International) membership was not limited to ministers from ACM churches. In Australia this has now been replaced by ACM (Associates).

An annual gathering together began and much unity within the Body of Christ was seen. Guest speakers, from both overseas and nationally, were brought in to minister to, challenge, and encourage the ministers at these annual events.

Today ACM operates as a denomination in Australia, while ACMI continues as a fellowship of ministers in other parts of the world where there are several thousand members.