Free, Full, and Forever: How Life in Messiah Got Its Name
On November 4, 1887, fourteen believers gathered in a downtown Chicago office. On the agenda: how would God have them respond to the spiritual and physical needs of the growing Jewish immigrant population?
The committee formed that day represented a coalition of Bible-believing Christians from a variety of church, academic, and business backgrounds. Their prayerful decision was to begin a nondenominational ministry that would operate under the name Chicago Hebrew Mission. They rented space for a reading room on Chicago’s Near West Side amidst the Jewish population which included Yiddish, German, Polish, and English speakers.[1]
Over the ensuing decades the ministry office changed addresses multiple times but remained in the same general neighborhood. In 1913, just prior to the onset of “The War to End All Wars,” Chicago Hebrew Mission (CHM) began supporting John Resnick’s work among the Jewish community in Jassy, Roumania (today’s Romania). Affiliate missions were fostered in St. Louis and New Orleans.
After the Great Depression, in 1938 CHM opened its first branch office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Indianapolis, Indiana followed as workers were sent to other cities in the Midwest.
Chicago Hebrew Mission’s reach had grown beyond the city of its founding. In 1953, a new name was chosen by the Board of Directors: American Messianic Fellowship. As often happens, the ministry was often familiarly referred to by its initials, AMF.
By the 1950s, Chicago’s far north side and suburbs were seeing marked growth of Jewish neighborhoods. In 1954, AMF purchased a six-flat at 7448 N. Damen Avenue in Chicago’s Rogers Park. The property housed both offices and staff apartments.[2]
The 1970s saw a marked expansion of the ministry. A six-week summer training program, the first of its kind, began in 1970. Moody Bible Institute’s Jewish Studies program provided additional training for vocational ministry workers. In addition to those serving in the U.S., AMF mobilized staff to Israel, Mexico, and Iran.[3] Canada was added the following decade.
In 1991, the official corporate name was changed to AMF International.[4] This reflected the ministry’s commitment to extend outreach globally. In 1994, the France field opened to reach the world’s third largest Jewish population. In 2005, work began in the Netherlands and AMF Ministries Canada was incorporated.
In 2008, God led Immanuel Ministries, headquartered in New York, to merge with AMF right at the time when a new name was under consideration. A “rebranding contest” was established to solicit suggestions from AMF’s staff and friends. Lively discussions of our history and purpose ensued. Various submissions were considered before one of Seth Postell’s brainstorms[5] was chosen: Life in Messiah International.[6]
The name was fitting. Our “L’chaim” (To Life) tract had been distributed in multiplied thousands in several languages since its original publication in 1974. The good news of salvation through Messiah Jesus is the central message we preach. Yeshua’s triumph over the grave purchased our salvation, which He freely offers to all who place their trust in Him. Consider these realities:
Free: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9).
Full: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (Yeshua’s statement in John 10:10).
Forever: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
This wonderful gift of life everlasting is only to be found in Messiah Jesus, who said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).
He further stated, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25–26).
Where CHM and AMF were the shortened forms of previous brands, we love the concept of Life in Messiah (LIFE) so much that we don’t use our initials. We are LIFErs who happily serve with LIFE.
God continues to grow this ministry. Now in our 138th year, LIFE’s staff serve in eight countries on four continents. How can we help you share the message of life in Messiah?
Written by Wes, LIFE Global Ambassador
Have a friend who is seeking for the new life and shalom only Messiah Jesus can give? Check out the testimonies at www.insearchofshalom.com to find a video to recommend.
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Endnotes:
[1] For more on the early days of Chicago Hebrew Mission, see our blog How LIFE Began.
[2] The story of the 1986 move to our present office in south suburban Lynwood will be chronicled in a future blog.
[3] Two American couples who moved to Tehran toward the end of the decade evacuated in 1979 when Ayatollah Khomeini’s Islamic Revolution swept Iran’s Shah Reza Pahlevi into exile.
[4] In addition to outgrowing “American,” the term “Fellowship” seemed to emphasize an internal focus. And “Messianic,” the adjectival form of Messiah, was confusing to some. One caller asked how he could join the Masons! An envelope delivered to our post box was addressed to “American Messionianiac Fellowship.” Not sure if the typist nodded off or just kept hitting keys until he was satisfied he’d hit some of them correctly.
[5] Seth had suggested an all-expenses paid vacation to Hawaii be awarded to the contest winner. In keeping with his theme (and our budget), he received a gift certificate to a local restaurant, a can of pineapple, and a plastic lei.
[6] AMF International remains the legal corporation name; Life in Messiah International is our DBA (“doing business as”) name.