Slideshow image

Columbus, Ohio —The Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA or The Alliance) in the United States announced Thursday, May 29, that Dr. Jonathan G. Schaeffer has been elected as president of the denomination.

Schaeffer, who received his DMin from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and his MDiv from Alliance Theological Seminary, will serve as the thirteenth president of the U.S. C&MA. “I’m excited to be part of a denomination that is committed to knowing Jesus, exalting Jesus, and experiencing the renewing and empowering of His Spirit,” says Schaeffer. “I love the message of The Alliance, and I love our mission.”

Schaeffer has served as pastor of Grace Church in Middleburg Heights, Ohio, since 1998. He has also served on the C&MA Board of Directors for 16 years (2007–2019, 2021–2025), has been a member of the President’s Cabinet since 2007, and has spoken at many key ministry engagements, such as Alliance General Council, District Conferences, and Alliance Field Forums.

“Our identity is that we are a people who are blood-bought, Spirit-filled, adopted into His family as daughters and sons, and we’re on mission together,” Schaeffer says. “And we get to be part of what God is doing in the world today.”

When asked about the unique contributions that he feels he would bring to the role as president of the C&MA, Schaeffer says, “The Lord is the ultimately the Head of the Church and will be faithful to His promises. While I realize my own shortcomings and insecurities, I also affirm that Jesus is King, and He will fill and strengthen and equip whoever is called to serve in this role.”   

“We come from so many kinds of backgrounds, and yet, together we have this shared identity, this shared mission,” Schaeffer adds. “And this is what we’re all about as a people. . . . We’re seeking to discern, with you, ‘Lord, what is Your next step for our movement?’”

The Alliance is an evangelical denomination full of believers who long to introduce the love of God to all nations. By caring for suffering and overlooked people through 2,000 U.S. churches and almost 700 international workers serving in about 70 countries, the C&MA longs to see Jesus’ name proclaimed in every tribe and tongue to fulfill the Great Commission.