Our purpose is to reach out to the children and families of third world countries, equipping them with God’s love and knowledge through His Holy Word, to develop programs for evangelism and spiritual growth, so they may in turn spread the Good News about Salvation through Jesus Christ.

“Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.” 2 Corinthians 2:17

“Pastor, I have something I need to tell you!”

          I knew by the tone in her voice that the "need to tell me" was not going to be a pleasurable confessional.  This was one of the matriarchs of our young church; what possibly could she have done wrong? A year earlier, in the spring of 1992; Marti Ward had asked me what I thought about her going to East Africa as a missionary.  She shared with me how the Holy Spirit was calling her to go.  I then recalled my hesitation in broaching the subject of her age. 

I timidly asked, "Marti, do you mind if I ask how old you are?"  A smile lit her face and with a twinkle in her eye she said, "I am 65 ."

I could not help but think that at an age when our culture is preoccupied with retirement, Marti was making the most important career move of her life.  She was launching out into full-time ministry. Her initial journey went well. She spent over 9 months in Kenya and Uganda, many times taking the gospel to people groups that had never heard the good news of Jesus Christ before.  She possessed a pioneering spirit that pushed her ministry team members, who were half her age, beyond their own physical limitations.

It was not uncommon for her to walk over four hours to reach her destination in the remote arid bush country.  She endured searing temperatures, malaria-laden mosquitoes, and many tribal, cultural, and language barriers.  She overcame those obstacles by possessing an undaunted spirit and an undying love for the indigenous tribes.  Literally hundreds of Kenyans made first time decisions for Christ during that inaugural year.

But here she was, back in my office, having trouble telling me what was bothering her. "Pastor, I need to confess something to you."  Tears welled up in her eyes.  "I lied to you.  Last year when you asked me how old I was, I wasn't honest with you.  I was really 75! I had a birthday last month, I am now 76.  I was afraid to tell you my real age in fear that you would worry too much about my safety and not allow me to go!"

The Lord used Marti extraordinarily during the next 6 years.

-by Pastor Greg Massanari

Marti spent 6 months each year (from 1992 to 1999)  in Africa, and averaged 15 crusades a year.  During her time of rest back in the states she worked at Women's Resource Center counseling young girls.  She died of malaria in December of 1999. 

Her daughter, Michelle and husband Jim Thompson have carried on her vision by working diligently to bring the gospel to those in rural areas in East Africa.

    Marti Ward Communities for Christ (MWCC) currently has churches in Uganda, Kenya, and the Congo (DRC). There is a Bible College that trains up young pastors in the Holy Scriptures to eliminate traditional tribal beliefs from being interwoven into the teaching of God's Word within their churches. There are four Christian schools and plans to build an orphanage in the immediate future.

ALL donations (100%) go directly to the work of the ministry there. Each summer, new missionaries travel to our main base in Kenya before going out to the other areas in need.

Each missionary pays 100% of their travel and incidental expenses.  

The Holy Scriptures: 

We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God: true, immutable, steadfast, and unchangeable (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). 

The Eternal Godhead: 

We believe that God is triune: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; the Three are coexistent, coeternal, and equal in divine perfection (1 John 5:7). 

The Fall of Man: 

We believe that man, created in the image of God, by voluntary disobedience fell into the depths of sin and iniquity, bequeathing sin’s nature and consequences to all mankind, with their accompanying loss of intended meaning and purpose (Genesis 1:27; Romans 5:12). 

The Plan of Redemption:

We believe that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, took our place, and with His life’s blood purchased the pardon for all who believe in Him (John 3:16; Titus 2:14). 

Salvation through Grace: 

We believe that salvation is wholly through grace; that no human righteousness or merit can contribute to our receiving God’s love and favor (Ephesians 2:8). 

Repentance and Acceptance: 

We believe that, upon sincere repentance and a whole-hearted acceptance of Christ, we are justified before God through Jesus’ sacrificial death (Romans 10:6-10; 1 John 1:9). 

The New Birth: 

We believe that the change that takes place in people at conversion is a very real one; that having received righteousness in Christ and having received of His Spirit, people will have new desires, interests, and pursuits in life (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20). 

Daily Christian Life: 

We believe that it is the will of God that those who have been born again grow in sanctification, become partakers of His holiness, and daily grow stronger in the faith, power, prayer, love, and service (2 Corinthians 7:1). 

Water Baptism and the Lord's Supper:

 We believe that being baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is an essential response to Jesus’ command, testifying to His lordship as Christ and King (Romans 6:4). We believe in observing the Lord’s Supper, receiving the broken bread and the fruit of the vine with joy and faith as we partake anew of the life and triumph of Christ’s Cross (1 Corinthians 11:24-26) 

Baptism in the Holy Spirit: 

We believe that the baptism in the Holy Spirit empowers believers to exalt Jesus, to live lives of holiness, and to be witnesses of God’s saving grace; we expect the Spirit’s incoming to be after the same manner as that in which He came upon believers in the days of the Early Church (Acts 1: 5, 8; 2:4). 

The Spirit-Filled Life: 

We believe that it is the will of God that believers walk in the Spirit moment by moment, serving the Lord and living lives of patience, love, truth, sincerity, and prayer (Ephesians 4:30-32; Galatians 5:16, 25). 

The Gifts and Fruit of the Spirit: 

We believe that the Holy Spirit bestows enabling ministry gifts upon believers, and that these gifts will build up the Body of Christ through edification and evangelism (1 Corinthians 12:1-11); as evidence of a Spirit-filled life, believers should show spiritual “fruit”: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (Galatians 5:22-25). 

Moderation:

 We believe a Christians’ moderation should be obvious to others and that relationship with Jesus should never lead people into extremes of fanaticism; their lives should model that of Christ in uprightness, balance, humility, and self-sacrifice (Colossians 3:12, 13; Philippians 4:5). 

Divine Healing: 

We believe that divine healing is the power of Jesus Christ to heal the sick in answer to the prayer of faith; He, who does not change, is still willing and able to heal the body, as well as the soul and spirit in answer to faith (Mark 16: 17, 18; James 5:14-16).

The Second Coming of Christ: 

We believe that the second coming of Christ is personal and imminent; the certainty of His coming and the fact that no man knows the hour of His coming prompt our evangelistic efforts; that the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven, the dead in Christ shall rise, and the redeemed will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air (Matthew 24:36, 42, 44; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17). 

Church Relationship: 

We believe that it is our sacred duty to identify ourselves with a congregation of believers with whom we can worship God, observe the ordinances of Christ, exhort and support one another, labor for the salvation of others, and work together to advance the Lord’s Kingdom (Acts 16:5; Hebrews 10:24). 

Civil Government: 

We believe that civil government is by divine appointment and that civil laws should be upheld at all times except in things opposed to the will of God (Acts 4: 18-20; Romans 13:1-5). 

Judgment: 

We believe that all shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ: the redeemed to be delivered unto everlasting life, and the unrepentant unto everlasting punishment (Revelation 20:11, 12:2, Corinthians 5:10). 

Heaven: 

We believe that heaven is the glorious habitation of the living God and the eternal home of born-again believers (John 14:2; Revelation 7:15-17). 

Hell: 

We believe that hell is a place of darkness, deepest sorrow, and unquenchable fire, which was not prepared for man but for the devil and his angels; yet it will become the place of eternal separation from God for all who reject Christ as Savior (Matthew 13: 41, 42; Revelation 20:10, 15). 

Evangelism: 

We believe that soul winning is the “purpose” of the Church on earth, and that every hindrance to worldwide evangelism should be removed (James 5:20; Mark 16:15). 

Tithing and Offerings:

 We believe that tithing and offerings are ordained of God to sustain His ministry, spread the Gospel, and release personal blessing (Malachi 3:10; 1 Corinthians 16: 1, 2).