American Missionary Fellowship
Encyclopedia
American Missionary Fellowship (AMF), now known as InFaith, had its roots in the First Day Society (founded 1790). AMF officially formed in 1817 as the “Sunday and Adult School Union.” In 1824, the organization changed its name to “American Sunday School Union” (ASSU). Then, in 1974, the ASSU changed its name to “American Missionary Fellowship.” It became "InFaith" on September 1, 2011.

History

With roots in the First Day Society (founded 1790), the American Sunday School Union officially formed in 1817 as the “Sunday and Adult School Union.” In addition to its primary work of starting Sunday schools in rural communities, the Sunday and Adult School Union became known for its publications and its ticket reward system for Sunday school students who memorized Scripture. Several people influential in the United States during the 19th century, including Francis Scott Key
Francis Scott Key
Francis Scott Key was an American lawyer, author, and amateur poet, from Georgetown, who wrote the lyrics to the United States' national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner".-Life:...

, Associate Supreme Court Justice Bushrod Washington
Bushrod Washington
Bushrod Washington was a U.S. Supreme Court associate justice and the nephew of George Washington.Washington was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, and was the son of John Augustine Washington, brother of the first president. Bushrod attended Delamere, an academy administered by the Rev....

, and U.S. Mint Director James Pollock
James Pollock
James Pollock was the 13th Governor of the State of Pennsylvania from 1855 to 1858.- Political career :James Pollock graduated from the College of New Jersey at Princeton before setting up a law practice in his home community, in Milton, Pennsylvania...

, served as officers of the mission; many others supported the mission in other ways.

In 1824, the organization changed its name to “American Sunday School Union” (ASSU). In 1830, the ASSU began the Mississippi Valley Enterprise, through which missionaries worked to “establish a Sunday-school in every destitute place where it is practicable throughout the Valley of the Mississippi” within two years. “Stuttering Stephen” Paxson, perhaps the most well known ASSU missionary, took part in this. He started 1,314 Sunday schools during his twenty years of service with the mission.

Eventually, the ASSU grew beyond starting Sunday schools to include church planting, Christian camping, and other ministries. In 1974, the ASSU changed its name to “American Missionary Fellowship” to reflect this broader ministry range. Under this name, the mission continued to start new evangelical works in overlooked communities across the United States.

Current Profile

Under the name "InFaith," the mission's field staff now leads a variety of ministries for both adults and children around the United States. Its Home Office in Villanova, Pennsylvania, was designed by Horace Trumbauer
Horace Trumbauer
Horace Trumbauer was a prominent American architect of the Gilded Age, known for designing residential manors for the wealthy. Later in his career he also designed hotels, office buildings, and much of the campus of Duke University...

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