The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a nontrinitarian, Christian restorationist church that is considered by its members to be the restoration of the original church founded by Jesus Christ. The church was founded by Joseph Smith in Western New York in the early 19th century after Smith claimed to have been visited by God the Father and Jesus Christ in what is known as the First Vision. This event led to the publication of the Book of Mormon in 1830 and the formal organization of the church on April 6, 1830. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, the LDS Church is a global organization with congregations and temples around the world. As of 2023, it claims millions of members, making it one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States and globally. Did You Know? The LDS Church is known for its strong emphasis on family life, missionary work, and humanitarian aid. One of its most recognizable ...

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The United Methodist Church (UMC) is a major denomination within the larger Methodist movement, which traces its roots back to the revival movement started by John Wesley in the 18th century England. Established officially in 1968 through the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC has since grown to become one of the largest Protestant denominations worldwide, with a significant presence in the United States. The UMC is known for its structured organization, which combines elements of episcopal governance with conferentialism. This means it has an established hierarchy of bishops but also relies on conferences or councils at local, regional, and global levels to make decisions. The church's theology is Wesleyan-Arminian, emphasizing personal faith lived out in practical ways, which is encapsulated in its motto, "Open hearts, Open minds, Open doors." One of the distinctive features of the UMC is its itinerant model of ministry, where clerg...

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) stands as one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with its headquarters located in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1988 through the merging of three Lutheran church bodies—the American Lutheran Church, the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches, and the Lutheran Church in America—the ELCA brought together Lutherans of various backgrounds into a single, unified church. As of the latest data, the ELCA boasts millions of members spread across thousands of congregations nationwide, making it the seventh-largest Christian church in the United States. The church is known for its progressive stances on various social issues, including climate change, immigration, and LGBTQ+ rights, reflecting its commitment to social justice as a core aspect of its faith and practice. The ELCA operates through a polity that combines elements of episcopal and congregational governance, which means it recognizes a hierarchy of b...

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The Episcopal Church, known formally as the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, is a mainline Christian denomination that is a constituent member of the worldwide Anglican Communion. It is based in the United States, with dioceses spread across the country, as well as in Taiwan, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Europe. The church was established after the American Revolution when it became independent from the Church of England, due to the latter's allegiance to the British monarchy. Today, it is recognized for its rich liturgical tradition and progressive stances on social issues. The Episcopal Church is governed by a bicameral General Convention and emphasizes the Book of Common Prayer as the cornerstone of its worship and theology. Its polity is episcopal, meaning it is overseen by bishops in a structure similar to that of the Catholic and Orthodox churches, but it also upholds principles of democracy within its governance. Did You Know? ...

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Cru, originally known as Campus Crusade for Christ until 2011, is an interdenominational Christian parachurch organization. It was founded in 1951 at the University of California, Los Angeles by Bill and Vonette Bright. The organization's primary mission is to promote evangelism and discipleship in more than 190 countries around the world. Cru has grown significantly since its inception, branching out into various ministries aimed at different demographic groups, including high school and college students, military personnel, athletes, and families. One of its most well-known initiatives is the Jesus Film Project, which has translated the film "Jesus" into hundreds of languages, making it one of the most watched and distributed films in the world. Did You Know? Cru played a pivotal role in the digital evangelism movement with the creation of the "Jesus Film" app, which allows users to watch the "Jesus" film in multiple languages, making it accessible to a vast portion of the glo...

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Young Life is a Christian ministry that was founded in 1941 in Gainesville, Texas, by Presbyterian minister Jim Rayburn. The organization is dedicated to introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith. It operates in local communities across the United States and more than 100 countries worldwide, making it a significant presence in the realm of youth ministry. The core of Young Life's mission is to reach out to kids who may feel overlooked or undervalued by society, offering them a sense of belonging and a spiritual path through life's challenges. This is primarily achieved through their club meetings, which are designed to be lively, engaging, and welcoming, as well as through camping experiences that combine adventure with spiritual instruction. Did You Know? - Young Life camps are known for their high-quality facilities and activities, ranging from horseback riding and mountain biking to zip-lining and water sports. These camps are often situated...

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The Navigators is a prominent international, interdenominational Christian ministry established in 1933. Founded by Dawson Trotman in the United States, the organization has grown significantly over the decades, focusing on personal spiritual development and discipleship. Its mission is to "know Christ, make Him known, and help others do the same," aiming to spread the Christian faith through one-on-one mentoring, small group training, and large-scale evangelism. Operating in over 100 countries, The Navigators touches various facets of society, including college campuses, military bases, workplaces, and communities, by fostering meaningful relationships and providing spiritual guidance. The ministry is well-known for its emphasis on the importance of Scripture memory, personal spiritual growth, and evangelism. Did You Know? - The Navigators played a crucial role during World War II by providing spiritual support and resources to military personnel. Dawson Trotman's work with the ...

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InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, commonly referred to as InterVarsity, is a vibrant interdenominational Christian campus ministry founded in 1941. Its mission is to establish and advance witnessing communities of students and faculty who follow Jesus as Savior and Lord, growing in love for God, God's Word, God's people of every ethnicity and culture, and God's purposes in the world. InterVarsity operates in colleges and universities across the United States, offering a range of activities including Bible study groups, retreats, and mission trips, aiming to encourage students and faculty in their personal growth and spiritual journeys. Did You Know? InterVarsity is known for its Urbana Missions Conference, one of the largest student missions conferences in the world. Held every three years since 1946, Urbana gathers thousands of participants from across the globe to learn about missions, evangelism, and global issues from a Christian perspective. This event has inspired gene...

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FOCUS Catholic, formally known as the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, is a Catholic collegiate outreach organization founded in 1998 by Curtis Martin and Dr. Edward Sri. The organization's mission is to share the hope and joy of the gospel with college and university students, training them in the faith, inviting them into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the fullness of life in the Catholic Church. FOCUS operates in the United States and has expanded its reach to international campuses. Headquartered in Genesee, Colorado, FOCUS sends teams of missionaries to college campuses to engage students through Bible studies, outreach events, mission trips, and one-on-one discipleship. These missionaries are typically recent college graduates who dedicate two or more years of their post-collegiate lives to the mission of evangelization. Did You Know? - FOCUS Catholic has a unique approach to forming missionary disciples through what they call the "Win, Build, Send...

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The Presbyterian Church (USA), often abbreviated as PC(USA), stands as one of the most prominent Protestant denominations in the United States. Founded in 1983 through the reunion of the Presbyterian Church in the United States and the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, the PC(USA) has its roots deeply embedded in the Reformation of the 16th century, following the teachings of John Calvin and other Reformation-era theologians. Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, the PC(USA) is known for its representative form of government, which is a hallmark of Presbyterianism. This governance is characterized by a system of elders and operates through a series of councils, reflecting the belief in a shared leadership. The denomination is also recognized for its progressive stance on various social issues, including environmental stewardship, social justice, and inclusivity. Over the years, the PC(USA) has taken significant steps towards the ordination of women and t...

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