We are first and foremost a relationship—based ministry. We are first of all related to
the Lord and His Word. Second, we recognize that we are related to all that honor His
Name. Third, we are related in a very practical, functional way with all who choose to join
with us in our sphere of labors and doctrinal convictions – the ATM network or family of
churches.
We are also a vision—driven ministry. We passionately believe that Jesus’ last command
must be our first concern. That last command finds its fullest expression in what has
become known throughout church history as the great Commission:
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in
heaven and on earth. [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
[20] teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am
with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matt.28: 18-20)
The thrust of Jesus command is two-pronged: there is to be a numerical, quantitative
growth of His kingdom through outreach (make disciples/baptizing); and a maturing,
qualitative growth through upreach (teaching them to observe all things). So important are
these twin objectives that Scripture reveals when they are accomplished – the end of the age
will come.
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all
the nations, and then the end will come. (Matt.24:14)
Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to
a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; (Ephes.4: 13)
Christians have actually been given the high and holy privilege, in the economy and
providence of God, to be “workers together with Him” (II Cor. 6:1) in “hastening the
coming of the day of God” (II Pet. 3:12). While there are many noble and needful
endeavors with which the church should be occupied, they must all find their proper sense
of emphasis in relation to the overarching priority of focus and urgency that must be given
to this primal marching order of the church. We have committed our lives to this end and
are choosing to make Jesus’ last command our first concern.
HISTORY
The cultural upheavals of the 1960’s combined with the spiritual impetus of the
charismatic renewal and Jesus Movement, caused thoughtful Christians throughout
the body of Christ to reexamine contemporary forms of church life in the light of the
New Testament. Authors such as Howard Snyder (The Problem of Wineskins) and
Francis Schaeffer (Collected Works) suggested that Christians, particularly in the West, had
been compromised by the surrounding culture, and that their church life in both form and
substance fell far short of biblical expectations.
In the early 1970’s, while a graduate student at Covenant Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri,
a young man named Ted Evans sat under the teaching ministry of Dr. Francis Schaeffer
and participated with some of his students in a “L’Abrid type” Christian community. These
experiences planted within him a vision of helping believers to live their lives within the
framework of a Christian worldview and in the context of Christian community. Upon
completing his M.Div. degree, Ted was providentially introduced to a like-minded leader
named Gary King, who asked Ted to come to Celina, Ohio to help establish a fellowship of
believers there. Eighteen months later, Ted found himself moving his family to Toledo,
Ohio to work with Gary’s brother Ron, a kindred spirit who was already leading a group
of Christians excited about what God was doing in His church.
Thus began a wonderful relationship of men who shared a vision to establish
churches committed to expressing the New Testament’s emphasis on a balance of
the Word, the Spirit, and community life. Throughout the ‘70’s and early ‘80’s, Ted
continued to establish churches primarily in the Ohio area. Gary and Ron King, joined by
Roger Pugh from Michigan, focused their church-planting efforts in Ohio, Michigan, and
other Midwestern states. Gary also did some work in England, which laid the groundwork
for later expansion internationally. In 1980, Gary, Ron, and Roger incorporated their
efforts under the name Apostolic Team Ministries (ATM).
Between 1984 and 1987, the men associated with ATM, along with Ted and a number of
leaders from the churches they had established, began considering forming a more formal
network of church relationships. It became clear that by more closely coordinating their
outreach efforts, they would be able to have a greater national and international impact. In
June, 1987, a congress of church leaders resolved to become a network of churches. With
this decision, Ted Evans was added to the directorship of the newly expanded Apostolic
Team Ministries, International.
From that day to the present, the ATM family of churches has enjoyed marvelous
growth and expansion. To God Alone be the Glory!
