Returning from a tour of duty as a Chaplain in the Army Air Corps during World War II, Harrold McFarland saw a need that was not being met. Foreign mission work was "booming" among churches in the Restoration Movement. Ministries and missionaries were struggling with recognition and identity. Neither of these comes easily with the "direct support" method stressed among "independent" congregations.
With no earthly "headquarters" to report on activity, how could the brotherhood of churches keep up with the latest developments on the mission field? Better yet, how could church members support this new expansion with their prayers without good information?
Hence, the germ idea of Mission Services...offering to help. Based on the scriptural description of the church's varied ministries found in 1 Corinthians 12:28, the single word "helps" or as one translation reads, "services of help," Mission Services Association was born. MSA has always offered to help in any way the expansion of mission ministry among the churches. So it was that in the Spring of 1946, Harrold and Adele McFarland turned their Minneapolis, MN home into a publishing house.
PREACH magazine was the first publication, running from October of 1946 through September of 1949. AMONG OURSELVES followed with publication running through the year 1950. In January of 1951, HORIZONS entered the picture. At first the new magazine was pocket sized progressing through weekly, semi-monthly and monthly publication cycles. The magazine grew in size and scope into the current full size, monthly process color publication. From its humble beginnings, it has grown into one of the largest publications among the Restoration Movement distributed in more than 75 countries of the world.
In addition to publishing HORIZONS, Mission Services assists ministries and missionaries in communicating with their supporters. We offer both electronic media (web design, administration, hosting & email) and print media (graphic design, print & mailing) services. Our goal is to ensure that missionaries are able to effectively communicate the story of their ministry progress and needs. Through our work, hundreds of thousands of dollars each year are saved. Currently more than 325 ministries in more than 85 countries employ our services, and the number grows on a regular basis. Those savings (only possible through the support of individuals and congregations) are then invested into ministry to people. Ministries involved in evangelism, education, disaster relief, medical ministry, Bible translation, Christian camping and more all benefit from the work God has given us.