Christian Restoration Association โ Organization Profile
The Christian Restoration Association (CRA) is a long-standing ministry organization that works with independent Christian churches and churches of Christ. Its stated mission is to extend a helping hand to congregations by equipping them with the truth of Scripture and defending and disseminating New Testament Christianity. The organization traces its roots to the Clarke Fund in 1922 and took the name Christian Restoration Association in 1925. The CRA is based in Mason, Ohio, and its work is directed toward churches, ministers, elders, teachers, and Christian workers in Ohio, the United States, and through its publishing ministry to readers beyond the U.S.
A central part of the CRAโs work is publishing and teaching. It produces The Restoration Herald, a long-running monthly publication focused on biblical teaching, commentary, and Restoration Movement concerns. The organization also publishes books, tracts, and other ministry resources through its bookstore. Alongside print publishing, the CRA makes teaching available through articles, archived issues, and video content connected to conferences and seminars. This combination of publishing and event-based instruction shows that the ministry operates as both a resource center and a support organization for local churches.
The CRA also provides several practical services for congregations. Recycled Riches is one of its best-known programs, offering interest-free loans to qualifying churches, especially those needing help with buildings and early-stage development. The association also oversees the Christian Bible Institute, a self-paced online study program in Bible, theology, church history, and related subjects for Christians who want deeper training outside a traditional college or seminary track. In addition, the organization maintains an evangelists page for churches seeking supply preachers and provides church ministry development support through Associate Director Jim Book, who works with congregations on outreach, leadership development, coaching, and vision casting.
Training and events are another major part of the CRAโs strategy. The association sponsors a Bible conference every two years and also partners in the annual Florida Bible Conference. These gatherings are designed to address current issues facing churches and to provide Bible teaching in a conference setting. The CRAโs ministry model is therefore not built around a single program, but around a mix of publishing, leadership training, financial assistance, conferences, and direct ministry support for local congregations. That makes it especially relevant for churches looking for theological resources as well as hands-on ministry help.
People can engage with the Christian Restoration Association in several ways. Churches and individuals can read or subscribe to The Restoration Herald, enroll in Christian Bible Institute courses, request ministry help, invite one of the listed evangelists or speakers, attend conferences, or contribute financially through the CRAโs general fund or designated efforts such as Recycled Riches. Contact information is publicly listed through the organizationโs main office, and the CRA also maintains official social channels where it shares teaching content and ministry updates.
Key Links
- Website: https://www.thecra.org/
- About Us: https://www.thecra.org/about-us
- What We Believe: https://www.thecra.org/what-we-believe
- Contact: https://www.thecra.org/contact-us
- Christian Bible Institute: https://www.thecra.org/cbi
- Recycled Riches: https://www.thecra.org/recycled-riches
- Events: https://www.thecra.org/events
- Donate: https://bookstore.thecra.org/collections/donations
Contact Information
- Email: th****@****ra.org
- Phone: 513-229-8000
- Mailing address: 7133 Central Parke Blvd., Mason, OH 45040
Socials
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristianRestorationAssociation
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The.Christian.Restoration
Leadership
- John Mitchell โ Editor and Executive Director
- Jim Book โ Associate Director
- Kristin Isaacs โ Finance and Accounts Administrator
- Alayna Burnett โ Bookstore Manager & Social Media Coordinator
- Tom Claibourne โ Board Chairman
- Jamie Franke โ Treasurer
- Dave Jones โ Secretary
- Harold Orndorff โ Director, Christian Bible Institute
