National Fellowship of Direct Entry Midwives
Excellence in Certification, Tradition in Practice
Our Story
At the heart of the National Fellowship of Direct Entry Midwives (NFDEM) is a profound commitment to the professional growth of midwives and the well-being of families. Grounded in Judeo-Christian values, NFDEM was founded to preserve time-honored traditions and shape a future where direct-entry midwifery thrives as a cornerstone of safe, compassionate, and culturally sensitive maternal care. We uphold the sanctity of life and support the autonomous choices of women in childbirth.
NFDEM was created with a clear purpose: to set the gold standard in credentialing for direct-entry midwives. Through the Certified Direct Entry Midwife (CDEM) credential, we ensure midwives are equipped with the knowledge, experience, proficiency, and integrity needed to provide exceptional care in out-of-hospital settings, such as homes and birth centers. Our rigorous certification process prepares midwives not only to navigate the complexities of modern maternal care but also to honor the traditions that have supported families for generations.
Our Vision
We envision a future where the National Fellowship of Direct Entry Midwives (NFDEM) leads the way in credentialing the Certified Direct Entry Midwife (CDEM), a credential recognized for upholding the highest standards of excellence in maternal and newborn care within out-of-hospital settings.
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Grounded in Judeo-Christian values, we are committed to a rigorous certification process that ensures each CDEM exemplifies knowledge, proficiency, and an unwavering dedication to the well-being of the women and families they serve. Through ongoing professional development and the preservation of time-honored traditions, we equip midwives to deliver skilled, compassionate, and culturally sensitive care.
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Our mission highlights the demand for excellence in direct-entry midwifery and underscores the profound impact of the midwifery model of care on the health and well-being of future generations. By advancing access to direct-entry midwifery care, we aim to strengthen the future of this vital profession.
Our Mission
The mission of the National Fellowship of Direct Entry Midwives (NFDEM), grounded in Judeo-Christian principles, is to uphold the highest standards in direct-entry midwifery by establishing and maintaining rigorous requirements for achieving the Certified Direct Entry Midwife (CDEM) credential. We are dedicated to continuous improvement, proficiency, compassion, integrity, and service to our communities, guiding our efforts to advance direct-entry midwifery care.
Our Statement of Faith
We believe in one God, eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, and present everywhere, who exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is the Creator of all things and the ultimate source of all truth.
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord" (Deuteronomy 6:4).
"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Genesis 1:1).
We believe that, in Jesus, God became flesh. Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, was crucified for the sins of humanity, and rose from the dead on the third day. He ascended to heaven and will return to earth again to judge the world. Salvation is offered to all who believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior through faith in His death and resurrection. Jesus is the only way to reconciliation with God, and through His sacrifice, believers are made righteous and are given eternal life.
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"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us" (John 1:14).
"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel" (Matthew 1:23).
"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him"
(2 Corinthians 5:21).
"He is not here: for he is risen, as he said" (Matthew 28:6).
"And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven" (Acts 1:10-11).
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Romans 10:9).
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to live godly lives, convicts of sin, and equips the Church to carry out God's mission. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer and leads them into all truth, guiding them to become more like Christ.
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"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance" (John 14:26).
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13).
We believe the Bible is God's inspired, inerrant Word and the final authority for all matters of faith and practice. Through the Scriptures, God reveals His character, will for humanity, and plan of salvation.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16).
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105).
We believe that salvation is by grace through faith. Works do not earn salvation; it is a gift from God. Those who trust in and follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are forgiven of their sins, adopted into God's family, and receive the promise of eternal life with God. Salvation leads to a life of service to God and to others. Having a servant's heart leads believers to a deeper relationship with our heavenly Father.
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"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
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Our Values
These values underscore the heart and soul of the National Fellowship of Direct Entry Midwives mission, reflecting its commitment to providing compassionate, faith-driven, and family-centered care.
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LIFE: We cherish and protect the sanctity of life, embracing each stage with reverence and care from conception through childbirth and beyond.
"Lo, children are a heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward" (Psalm 127:3).
FAMILY: We support and strengthen the traditional family structure, recognizing it as society's cornerstone and nurturing it with compassion and respect.
"Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it" (Psalm 127:1).
"Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee" (Exodus 20:12).
FAITH: Our actions and decisions are guided by unwavering faith in biblical teachings, ensuring our practices align with our Statement of Faith.
"For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).
"But without faith, it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6).
UNITY: We foster a community of midwives, guided by Judeo-Christian principles, working together in harmony to share knowledge, support one another, and uphold these shared values.
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity" (Psalm 133:1).
"Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3).
AUTONOMY: We empower midwives to practice independently, equipped with the knowledge, skill, and experience to provide holistic, high-quality maternity care in out-of-hospital settings.
"Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established" (Proverbs 16:3).
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13).