Christian and Missionary Alliance Announces Plans to Relocate from Colorado Springs to Columbus, Ohio

The Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA), an international Christian denomination and missionary organization, is planning to relocate its headquarters from Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Columbus, Ohio. The decision comes amid rising costs of living in Colorado Springs, a city that has seen its population double since the organization moved there in 1989. The move mirrors a previous relocation from New York in 1989, when the organization cited similar challenges with affordable housing.

Colorado Springs, once a hub for evangelical ministries due to its low cost of living, now faces transportation difficulties. The city lacks a major airport, contributing to higher transportation costs. Columbus, on the other hand, offers a major airport and better access to the Alliance’s network of 800 churches within a day’s drive. The relocation is expected to begin in the summer, with final decisions to be made by March.

C&MA’s headquarters in Colorado Springs is located on a 5-acre parcel in the Briargate Business Campus, assessed at $8.6 million. The organization is seeking a 15-acre site in Ohio to build an event center. While the move is driven by logistical and financial considerations, less than half of the ministry’s 130 employees plan to relocate.

The organization’s financial health has seen modest fluctuations, with 2019 income at $60 million, slightly down from the previous two years. Churches contribute 62 percent of this income. The C&MA’s flagship college, Nyack College in New York, has faced financial challenges and recently sold its historic campus for $45.5 million.

Founded in 1897 by A. B. Simpson, the C&MA merged two existing groups influenced by the Keswick movement. The organization has long been involved in missionary work and church planting, with a focus on global outreach and local community engagement. The move to Columbus reflects ongoing efforts to adapt to changing economic and logistical realities.

The relocation underscores the challenges faced by large Christian organizations in maintaining operational efficiency and affordability in growing urban centers. As C&MA seeks new opportunities in Ohio, the decision highlights the dynamic nature of ministry and the need for strategic planning in a rapidly evolving landscape.

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