Missionary Church

Organizationally, we are a denomination, but we really see ourselves as a family of churches. As a family of churches we realize that we have a unique identity. Others may share in one or more of our traits, but we believe the combination of the following five traits expresses this unique identity of the Missionary Church. CORE VALUESBIBLICALLY GROUNDEDWe are fiercely faithful to core biblical doctrines to ensure that we stay theologically sound. We are not dogmatically exclusive.RELATIONALLY CONNECTEDWe encourage, facilitate, and resource churches rather than direct them. Our goal is to inspire and partner with one another to increase ministry effectiveness.CREATIVITY EMBRACINGWe are unique in the fact that we allow local churches freedom to minister effectively in their contexts. This is because we are a permission-giving culture, not a restricting one.LEADERSHIP EMPOWERINGWe identify, develop, and release leaders. We do not limit God in who he calls to leadership.KINGDOM MINDEDWe focus more on the mission than the institution. We share best practices with like-minded organizations and partner with them. And we also encourage and support Kingdom endeavors.WE ARE COMMITTED TOJesus Christ | The Missionary Church recognizes Jesus Christ as the ultimate authority.The Bible | We remain fully committed to the inerrancy of Scripture and the authority of the Word of God.The Great Commission | Multiplying disciples who multiply disciples who multiply disciples. That is the command that Jesus gave us, and we will not be distracted by buildings, programs, or anything else.PURPOSEThe Missionary Church, in obedience to Jesus Christ her Lord, is committed to being holy people of God in the world and to building his Church by worldwide evangelism, discipleship and multiplication of growing churches, all to the glory of God.ROOTSIn the 1850s, the origins of the Missionary Church emerged when a number of Mennonite ministers were dismissed from their former churches for conducting unsanctioned prayer meetings, attending and conducting revival services, and allowing women to share public testimonies.These dismissed ministers came together and founded the Mennonite Brethren in Christ denomination (named United Missionary Church in 1947). It was largely through the leadership of Daniel Brenneman and Solomon Eby that the denomination was organized.Joseph Ramseyer founded the Missionary Church Association after he was dismissed from his former denomination for wanting to be baptized by immersion as a born-again believer in Christ. Ramseyer continued to preach the message of God’s love through Jesus Christ as Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King. In 1898, those who shared his convictions adopted the name “Missionary Church Association” because of their desire to evangelize the world.In 1969, the merger of the United Missionary Church and the Missionary Church Association occurs following a three decade courtship bringing together a staff of nearly two hundred missionaries. This was possible because both denominations were committed to preaching only what was in the Bible and to evangelizing the world.Then in 2011, The Missionary Church transitioned organizationally from a collection of districts to regions with multiple networks being started under the regional structure. Each network having different styles can broaden and diversify the church planters and churches to partner with, learn from each other, and share in the joys and struggles of our united mission to multiply disciples. We may change the look and the method, but the mission will never change– Make disciples who make disciples to the fourth generation.