In the broadest sense, the Missionary Church is over 160,000 people in more than 1,500 congregations in 28 countries. There are over 370 congregations that compose 11 full districts and 4 mission districts in the United States.

The Missionary Church came into existence as a result of the spiritual revivals that swept across North America in the late 19th century. The evangelistic fervor continued through an aggressive program of missionary activity.

The Missionary Church is an evangelical denomination committed to church planting and world missions. With the national office in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the Missionary Church joins with its local and district ministries, World Partners USA, the Missionary Church Investment Foundation, Bethel College (Mishawaka, IN), and the Church Multiplication Training Center to communicate the message of Christ with an aggressive strategy.

The Missionary Church strives to be focused on the fulfillment of the Great Commission.

Scripture is our authority. The Missionary Church is committed to this basic statement of faith.

GOD. There is but one eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing and everywhere-present Triune God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit— who is the creator and sustainer of all things (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; 1 Timothy 2:5).

JESUS CHRIST. He is God incarnate, yet human. He lived a sinless life, died to make atonement for the sins of all mankind, was bodily resurrected and is now mediator at the right hand of the Father. He is assuredly coming in power and glory for His believing followers, and is the only Savior of men (John 1:1, 14; Titus 2:11-14).

HOLY SPIRIT. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, regenerating all who repent of their sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. He sanctifies, empowers, teaches, guides and comforts the believers (John 16:7,8, 12-15).

BIBLE. The Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God and thus authoritative in all matters it addresses (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

SALVATION. Salvation is the result of genuine repentance of sin and faith in the atoning work of Christ. It brings forgiveness to the penitent, makes him a partaker of the divine nature and gives peace with God. We call this new birth (Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3-5).

CHURCH. We believe in the invisible and universal Church as an organism. It is composed of all believers in the Lord Jesus who have been vitally united by faith to Christ, its living Head and sovereign Lord (Matthew 16:18; Hebrews 12:22-24).

ORDINANCES. We believe the Christian ordinances are two: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We believe they are outward rites appointed by Christ to be administered in each church, not as a means of salvation, but as a visible sign and seal of its reality (Acts 8:36; 1 Corinthians 11:24-34).

We are committed to live by the driving motivation of a progressive mission statement. The following statement guides the overall ministry of the U.S. church:

The 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

We are committed to being a global-minded church. Actively pursuing a vision that includes spreading the gospel throughout the world is a distinctive of the Missionary Church. Over 100 missionaries serve in more than 20 countries.

The world also includes across the street, around the state and throughout the U.S. More than 200 churches have been planted since 1990. Multiplication will increase as local churches catch the vision to become parent churches.

The Missionary Church has a rich theological heritage. For some, history is a ball and chain that stifles progress and adaptability. The Missionary Church is using its history as a launching pad for aggressive outreach. While our message from the Bible is unchangeable, our methods of communication must change to reach every culture for Christ.

The heritage of the Missionary Church is best understood if one is aware that the early leaders had a commitment to the position that the Scriptures were to be the source of doctrine and life. In addition to this commitment to be a biblical church, the theological perspective of the Missionary Church recognizes the contribution of John Wesley’s emphasis on “the warmed heart;” A.B. Simpson’s fourfold emphasis on Jesus Christ as Savior, Sanctifier, Healer and Coming King; the Anabaptist concepts of community and brotherhood; and the evangelical emphases of the lost estate of mankind and redemption through Jesus Christ.

The Missionary Church is a unique blend of the thought and life of a people who have sought to build their church according to the Scriptures with an appreciation for their historical roots.

The Missionary Church provides supportive services for the local church. Both at the Denominational and district level there are a number of benefits available to all churches.

Our church planting ministry provides training through the church planter’s bootcamp, sponsored by the Church Multiplication Training Center. Ongoing support comes through coaching and participation in the New Church Incubator, a supportive environment for planter and spouse. Great care is taken to nurture new churches during their first 2-3 years.

The Church Multiplication Training Center trains church planters for more then 90 denominations and mission agencies. Training and consultation is also done to assist restart projects, redevelop declining and plateaued churches and parent new churches.

World Partners USA works to help each church discover its potential and calling for involvement in international ministries. In addition to maintaining a staff of over 100 and ministries in 26 countries World Partners USA has an extensive volunteer service program and other means for churches to become involved in worldwide ministry.

Discipling Ministries is committed to helping the church develop healthy, reproducing disciples of Jesus.

Our youth ministry is built around the mission of establishing in every church a ministry that is winning the curious, building the convinced and equipping the committed. These values are reinforced through a variety of camping and youth conference events and domestic and foreign mission team experiences. As a part of our commitment to equip youth to minister to their peers teens are encouraged to participate in SEMP (Students Equipped to Minister to Peers) sponsored by Sonlife Ministries.

Through our partnership with Sonlife Ministries we offer a series of 4 seminars entitled “Growing a Healthy Church.” This series provides training in a biblical model of ministry that is at the heart of the Missionary Church. Through this training pastors and leaders are challenged to take the necessary steps to become a Great Commission Healthy Church.

There is training available for youth leaders and leaders of Women’s Ministries.

Discipling Ministries also has an assessment tool available for evaluating the health of the church.

The Missionary Church Investment Foundation provides financing for church facility purchases and construction. MCIF also acts as a resource and provider in partnership with the local church for stewardship curriculum, financial planning and customized financial seminars.

Bethel College is a Christian liberal arts college offering undergraduate and masters degrees. Enrollment now exceeds 1700 students.

The Missionary Church has productive relationships with other churches, mission agencies and ministry organizations. These groups have a commitment to Scripture and to the cause of Christ in the world.

The Missionary Church is a member of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE).

Our people respond generously to appeals from World Relief Corporation (the international assistance arm of NAE) for funds to meet disaster and poverty needs around the world.