Fellowship of Evangelical Churches
Encyclopedia
The Fellowship of Evangelical Churches (FEC) is an evangelical body of Christian
s with a Mennonite
heritage. Conference offices are located in Fort Wayne, IN.
Founded in 1865–66 as the "Defenseless Mennonite Church", the new group was often referred to as the "Egly Amish
" during its early years. In 1949 the name of the conference was changed to the "Evangelical Mennonite Church" (not to be confused with the Evangelical Mennonite Conference
). At the 2003 Annual Convention, delegates voted to change the Conference name from the "Evangelical Mennonite Church" to the "Fellowship of Evangelical Churches".
, Adams County, Indiana
, in 1865-66. This body was often referred to as the Egly Amish, and is now the Evangelical Mennonite Church (or Evangelical Mennonite Church Conference), the name adopted in 1949. Henry's son, Christian R. Egle, also became a leader in the conference.
. The FEC organization is governed through a congregational form of governance. Local congregations elect delegates to a delegate body, which in turn elects the conference leadership. The conference is composed of 34 churches in the Midwest of the United States
with 5278 members. Fifty-five percent of the churches are located in Illinois
and Indiana
. All FEC ministries are funded by voluntary donations of congregations and individuals.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
s with a Mennonite
Mennonite
The Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptist denominations named after the Frisian Menno Simons , who, through his writings, articulated and thereby formalized the teachings of earlier Swiss founders...
heritage. Conference offices are located in Fort Wayne, IN.
Founded in 1865–66 as the "Defenseless Mennonite Church", the new group was often referred to as the "Egly Amish
Amish
The Amish , sometimes referred to as Amish Mennonites, are a group of Christian church fellowships that form a subgroup of the Mennonite churches...
" during its early years. In 1949 the name of the conference was changed to the "Evangelical Mennonite Church" (not to be confused with the Evangelical Mennonite Conference
Evangelical Mennonite Conference
The Evangelical Mennonite Conference is a Canadian Mennonite body of evangelical Christians.-Background:The Evangelical Mennonite Conference began in 1812 in the Molotschna settlement of southern Russia as the Kleine Gemeinde a group of Low German-speaking Mennonites of Dutch-German-Russian...
). At the 2003 Annual Convention, delegates voted to change the Conference name from the "Evangelical Mennonite Church" to the "Fellowship of Evangelical Churches".
History
Several members of the Amish Mennonite Egly family immigrated to North America in the 19th century. Among them was Henry Egly (1824-1890). Henry Egly was deeply influenced by the revivalism in America, withdrew from the main body of Amish, and founded the Defenseless Mennonite Church in BerneBerne, Indiana
Berne is a city in Monroe and Wabash townships, Adams County, Indiana, United States, 35 miles south of Fort Wayne. The population was 4,150 at the 2000 census...
, Adams County, Indiana
Adams County, Indiana
Adams County lies in northeastern Indiana in the United States and shares its eastern border with Ohio. It was officially established in 1836. The county seat is Decatur....
, in 1865-66. This body was often referred to as the Egly Amish, and is now the Evangelical Mennonite Church (or Evangelical Mennonite Church Conference), the name adopted in 1949. Henry's son, Christian R. Egle, also became a leader in the conference.
Doctrine
The Defenseless Mennonite Conference published its Confession of Faith, Rules and Discipline in 1917. The confession of faith was revised in 1937, 1949, 1961, and 1980. It contains 12 articles of faith. In addition to the usual Mennonite doctrines, the Evangelical Mennonite Church holds doctrines obtained through the American revivalism and holiness movement, including divine healing, a second work of grace (or the baptism of the Holy Spirit), and premillennialism. The Lords supper is observed with open communion. Only about 20% of the congregations use Mennonite in their local church name.Organization
The conference office is located in Fort Wayne, IndianaFort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
. The FEC organization is governed through a congregational form of governance. Local congregations elect delegates to a delegate body, which in turn elects the conference leadership. The conference is composed of 34 churches in the Midwest of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
with 5278 members. Fifty-five percent of the churches are located in Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
and Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. All FEC ministries are funded by voluntary donations of congregations and individuals.
Branches and connections
- The Missionary Church Association came out of the "Egly Amish" in 1898 (see Missionary ChurchMissionary ChurchThe Missionary Church is an evangelical Christian denomination of Anabaptist origins with Wesleyan, Pietist, and Keswickian influences.-Faith and practice:...
). - The Evangelical Mennonite Church is a member of the National Association of EvangelicalsNational Association of EvangelicalsThe National Association of Evangelicals is a fellowship of member denominations, churches, organizations, and individuals. Its goal is to honor God by connecting and representing evangelicals in the United States. Today it works in four main areas: Church & Faith Partners, Government Relations,...
.
Affiliated Organizations
These organizations have their own governing boards but are affiliated solely with the Fellowship of Evangelical Churches. These organizations exist in a mutually beneficial relationship with the denomination.- Miracle Camp and Retreat Center
- Life Change Camp and Retreat Center
- Salem Ranch
- Christian Service Foundation
External links
- Evangelical Mennonite Church (United States) at Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia OnlineGlobal Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia OnlineThe Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online is an online encyclopedia of topics relating to Mennonites and Anabaptism. The mission of the project is to provide free, reliable, English-language information on anabaptist-related topics....
- Miracle Camp and Retreat Center - affiliated church camp
- http://salem4youth.com/ - Salem's Ranch program for wayward boys