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The Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA or CMA) is a global “movement,” begun in the late 19th century in New York, focused on fulfilling the Great Commission through the local church. As of 1974 the Christian and Missionary Alliance is also officially a denomination, though it retains its focus on overseas missions and planting churches both overseas and in the U.S. The Alliance focuses not only on the “doing” aspects of the Christian life but also on the “being” aspect. Fulfilling the Great Commission requires both knowing God relationally and serving others. The Christian and Missionary Alliance’s vision for ministry is “We believe that God’s instrument to complete this mission is His Church. That’s why we focus our efforts and resources into developing dynamic, healthy local churches—in the United States and across the world. To accomplish the vision, we will develop healthy people (fully devoted followers of Christ), who will build these churches serving as ministry centers to successfully win the lost. Out of these ministry centers and churches will flow international workers committed to pushing back the darkness in areas where unengaged, unreached people groups abound.”
The Christian and Missionary Alliance’s founder, Dr. A. B. Simpson, conceptualized the “Fourfold Gospel,” which has become the foundation for the Alliance movement. The Christian and Missionary Alliance looks at Jesus Christ as Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King. The Christian and Missionary Alliance’s statement of faith lines up with the majority of evangelical Christianity in the U.S. They hold to a premillennial return of Christ. Christian and Missionary Alliance churches tend to be moderately charismatic, with an emphasis on the present healing ministry of the Holy Spirit.
The Christian and Missionary Alliance attempts to fulfill the Great Commission by building community, meeting practical needs, and establishing churches. According to their official website, the Christian and Missionary Alliance is driven by seven core values: (1) Lost people matter to God. He wants them found. (2) Prayer is the primary work of God’s people. (3) Everything we have belongs to God. We are His stewards. (4) Knowing and obeying God’s Word is fundamental to all true success. (5) Completing the Great Commission will require the mobilization of every fully devoted disciple. (6) Without the Holy Spirit’s empowerment, we can accomplish nothing. (7) Achieving God’s purposes means taking faith-filled risks. This always involves change.
More information is available at their website: cmalliance.org.
