C&MA Information

How did the C&MA come to be?

A Brief History

The Christian and Missionary Alliance began as a deeper life and missionary movement initiated by Dr. Albert B. Simpson in 1887 to mobilize the under-utilized lay forces and resources of the churches to "take the whole Bible to the whole world." He believed that a life completely yielded to Christ was one in which service to Christ would be of paramount importance. A person controlled by the Holy Spirit has no choice but to be involved in bringing the Good News to others, either as an overseas missionary or as a missionary at home.

The founder was reluctant to establish churches, preferring to call together Christians with a vision to evangelize the world but who remained in their local churches. However, the Christ-centered emphasis in teaching and the priority on missions made many people unwelcome in their denominations, causing them to form groups that for years were called "branches," not churches. By the mid-1970s, it became clear that The Alliance was a denomination in all but name, so with revised bylaws and constitution that reality was formalized in 1974.

Our history is rich in ministry. The cornerstone of our National Office building in Colorado Springs is a visual reminder of our roots. It was first laid at the Gospel Tabernacle in New York City in 1889.

Highlights of C&MA History

Visit the C&MA National Archives site to view a chronological history of The Christian and Missionary Alliance at http://www.cmalliance.org/whoweare/archives/timeline.jsp

What is The Alliance doing Today?

What is The Alliance doing overseas?

Beginning in 1884, the C&MA gradually expanded from a five-member team in Congo to more than 1,000 missionaries in 49 nations and churches in 66 countries and territories. With emphasis on establishing churches among unreached people groups and responsive populations worldwide, the C&MA is involved also in many types of specialized missions such as communications, medical work, translation, and relief and development aid. While most workers come from the United States, others are supported by churches in Canada and other nation. Many of the overseas national churches belong to The Alliance World Fellowship, a fraternal group with 2.5 million members in more than 40 nations.

What is The Alliance doing in the U.S.?

With churches in every state of the Union, the denomination totals about 350,000 believers in nearly 2,000 churches. One quarter of these congregations are intercultural, attracting immigrants and minority groups with strong cultural heritages. Services are conducted each Sunday in 19 languages. Affiliated institutions include four colleges, a seminary, a publishing house, four retirement centers and two development/investment organizations.

What is our Vision for the Future?

What of the future?

Under the banner, "Completing Christ's Commission," and the leadership of Dr. Gary M. Benedict, president, The Alliance is streamlining its ministries to regain a movement spirit in the framework of a denomination, refocusing resources on unreached people groups overseas and underevangelized communities in the United States.

Our Mission: 

The C&MA exists to know Jesus Christ, exalt Him as Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King; and complete His Great Commission.

It is the conviction of Alliance people that we will be in a better position to achieve our mission if we become a denomination that has the qualities of a movement.

Our Vision:

The Christian and Missionary Alliance will be a movement of Great Commission Christians who are glorifying God by building Christ's Church worldwide.

To achieve this vision, a strategy has been developed that consists of six components. The resources of the C&MA are focused on these strategic initiatives:

    1. Develop Healthy Local Churches

    2. Identify Workers for the Harvest

    3. Train Called Workers

    4. Multiply Churches in the United States

    5. Multiply Churches Worldwide

    6. Establish a Strong Support Base

Meet the President

Dr. Gary M. Benedict's bio, monthly newsletter, and video messages