For generations the United States and other nations in the ‘West’ sent missionaries, armed with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to the far reaches of the globe. Our story begins with the direction of Missions shifting -- much of Africa now sees the US as the mission field.  The United States is now home to the largest population of un-churched and spiritually disconnected English speaking people in the world (170 million)   -- and the Church in the US has had a steady stream of people leaving.  There is within our country a deep hunger for meaning, significance and hope.

In 2000, in response to this situation, the Anglican Church of Rwanda began a church planting missionary movement to the United States.  At the same time that the Church in the US has been shrinking, Christianity is experiencing a dynamic renewal and expansion in many other parts of the world, including Africa and Asia.

At the end of 2001, as a part of this missionary movement, Ken and Sallie Ross moved to Colorado Springs with their sons to begin the process of planting a church from scratch.  They longed to mirror and engender the renewal and transformation of lives that their brothers and sisters in Africa were experiencing. They heard a call to help establish a church community that reflected an accessible holiness and authenticity. To establish a community that was willing to follow God's pillar of cloud by day and fire by night, and who would grow in hunger to take this life-changing Good News out into the world.

Others began to hear this call as well, and in September of 2002, the International Anglican Church was born.

We began meeting at Shove Chapel on the Colorado College Campus -- our first Sunday we had about 20 people. 

From the beginning, we knew that we wanted to be a church that planted churches.  Early on we sent over 40 people and a pastor to plant a new church,  Holy Trinity Anglican Church, on the North side of Colorado Springs.  We are praying about and planning for our next church plant sometime in 2010.

Raising up a people who glorify Jesus by living passionate lives
of holiness, love and authenticity that impact the world

Raising up a people
We are called to discipleship, which is the process of bringing people to faith and then coming alongside one another to help each other grow in Christ. There are many forces pushing against this "raising up"-the world, the flesh and the devil-so we have to be intentional. We need to do this growing together. Our goal is not to raise up individuals but a people who are involved in each other's lives. (Acts 2:47, Romans 12:4-5, 1 Corinthians 12:13ff)

who glorify jesus
When we come to faith our life purpose changes: we no longer live for our own fulfillment and glory; we live to bring glory and praise to Jesus who died for us. Our very lives begin to reflect His glory as we are transformed by the Holy Spirit. (2 Corinthians 5:15, 8:6, 3:18; 1 Corinthians 10:31, Ephesians 1:12)

by living passionate lives
It is so easy to be overwhelmed by fullness of our lives and the distractions of the world that we settle for lives that are less than what Jesus desires for us. Often we dream too small, we settle our desires and longings on lesser things, we serve lesser "gods" and miss genuine life. Our lives are meant to be filled with passion and zeal for Jesus and His life: We are part of a greater story. (Philippians 3:10, John 10:10, 1 Corinthians 9:24, Hebrews 12:1)

of holiness, love and authenticity
We are called to be the Lord's set apart people, growing in love for Him and for others, and living into who He has made us to be. Holiness is not about learning rules, regulations, and lists of "do's" and "don'ts"; it is the result of a relationship with a living Savior who will change us and shape us so that we become like Him, living a life of love, and are visibly different from the world around us. As we grow in holiness and love, we will grow in being authentic with Jesus, ourselves, and others about who we are and where we are on the journey. True authenticity only comes from knowing Jesus as He really is - not how we want Him to be. He is the light that exposes us, draws us in, and purifies us. As we grow in holiness, love and authenticity, we will see true intimacy develop, both with Jesus and with each other. (Ephesians 5:1-2, 2 Timothy 2:22, 1 John 1:7, John 13:35, Romans 12:15, Titus 2:11-12)

that impact the world
We are called to be Christ's ambassadors, proclaiming the Gospel with our words and deeds so that the Kingdom of God would be made manifest through us. We are to extend His grace in our community and around the world as we preach the good news, care for those in need, and set people free. (Matthew 28:19, 1 Peter 2:12, Philippians 2:14-15, Matthew 5:16, 2 Corinthians 5:20, James 1:27)