{{Short description|Network of evangelical churches}} {{Infobox Christian denomination | name = Antioch Movement | image = Antioch Movement logo.png | alt = | caption = | main_classification = Protestant | orientation = Evangelical | theology = | polity = | governance = | structure = | leader_title = President | leader_name = Jimmy Seibert | leader_title1 = U.S. Director | leader_name1 = Drew Steadman | fellowships_type = | fellowships = | fellowships_type1 = | fellowships1 = | division_type = | division = | division_type1 = | division1 = | division_type2 = | division2 = | division_type3 = | division3 = | associations = | full_communion = | area = | language = | liturgy = | headquarters = Waco, Texas | territory = | possessions = | founder = Jimmy Seibert | founded_date = | founded_place = | independence = | reunion = | recognition = | separated_from = | branched_from = | merger = | absorbed = | separations = | merged_into = | defunct = | congregations = 125+ | members = <!-- or | number_of_followers = --> | ministers_type = | ministers = | missionaries = | churches = | hospitals = | nursing_homes = | aid = | primary_schools = | secondary_schools = | tax_status = | tertiary = | other_names = | publications = | website = {{url|antioch.org}} | website_title1 = | slogan = }} '''The Antioch International Movement of Churches''' is a global network of evangelical churches headquartered in Waco, Texas.<ref name="Hoover">{{cite news |last=Hoover |first=Carl |date=May 31, 2014 | title=Antioch expands reach with books, albums, marketing firm |url=https://wacotrib.com/business/antioch-expands-reach-with-books-albums-marketing-firm/article_b8beaa9c-be54-588c-96ce-f541d53adf1e.html |newspaper=Waco Tribune-Herald |location=Waco, TX |access-date=July 21, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Smith |first=J.B. |date=January 23, 2014 | title=$11 million Antioch church expansion halfway done |url=https://wacotrib.com/news/local/million-antioch-church-expansion-halfway-done-and-debt-free/article_8f62d765-012b-5053-86ab-1af20d7030ca.html |newspaper=Waco Tribune-Herald |location=Waco, TX |access-date=July 21, 2024}}</ref> The Waco location was founded in 1999 by Jimmy Seibert.<ref name="Hoover" /> Antioch Ministries International has been listed as a 501(c)(3) organization since 1993.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/742671872 |title=Charity Navigator |website=www.charitynavigator.org}}</ref> The movement strongly focuses on missions-based evangelism and global church planting. Antioch describes itself as non-denominational.<ref name="Ryan">{{cite news |last=Ryan |first=Terri Jo |date=October 7, 2001 |title=Building a Kingdom – Fast-growing Waco church has designs on the world |newspaper=Waco Tribune-Herald |location=Waco, TX}}</ref><ref name="About Antioch">{{Cite web |url=https://antioch.org/about |title=About Antioch Movement |website=antioch.org}}</ref>
Antioch received significant international press coverage in 2001 after two of its overseas missionaries, Dayna Curry and Heather Mercer, were arrested by the Taliban in Afghanistan for "preaching Christianity."<ref name="Bearak">{{cite news |last=Bearak |first=Barry |date=September 7, 2001 | title=Afghans Present Aid Team's Sins, Complete With Theology Lesson |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/07/world/afghans-present-aid-team-s-sins-complete-with-theology-lesson.html |newspaper=New York Times |location=New York, NY |access-date=July 29, 2024}}</ref> Antioch's relationship with reality TV stars Chip and Joanna Gaines also thrust the church into the spotlight as a result of the movement’s position on same-sex marriage and related issues.<ref name="BuzzFeed200419">{{cite web |last=Petersen |first=Anne Helen |title="Fixer Upper" Is Over, But Waco's Transformation Is Just Beginning |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/annehelenpetersen/waco-texas-magnolia-fixer-upper-antioch-chip-joanna-gaines |website=BuzzFeed News |date=20 April 2019}}</ref> As of 2024, the Antioch Movement's public network listed 54 locations (some of which do not carry the Antioch name).<ref name="Antioch Locations">{{cite web |url=https://antioch.org/locations |title=Locations |website=Antioch.org}}</ref>
== Origins == thumb|Worship during the Sunday service at Antioch Community Church of Waco Antioch Waco, which serves as the headquarters of the Antioch movement, was founded in April 1999. Founder Jimmy Seibert had been an Associate Pastor at Highland Baptist Church in Waco since 1988, where he introduced the concept of "life groups" (small prayer groups) and started a missionary school called Antioch Ministries International. Seibert left Highland amicably in April 1999, with Highland's Head Pastor Barry Camp giving members of Highland the option to move to the new Antioch church. By April 2001, after meeting in several locations around Waco, Antioch permanently settled at a location in a racially diverse neighborhood in north Waco, with a plan to contribute to "renewal and rejuvenation" in the area.<ref name="Ryan" />
Antioch's Waco location subsequently started dozens of Antioch churches, both in the United States and internationally, and grew to be one of the largest congregations in Waco.<ref name="Smith1">{{cite news |last=Smith |first=J.B. |title=Antioch Community Church planning $11 million expansion |url=https://wacotrib.com/news/antioch-community-church-planning-11-million-expansion/image_37979a07-d854-5e5b-918b-ca8f3001e0c8.html |access-date=March 30, 2024 |newspaper=Waco Tribune-Herald |date=March 30, 2024}}</ref> By 2019, Antioch had over 5,000 seats in its Waco congregation, started 28 churches in the US and had 80 teams in 40 countries internationally.<ref name="BuzzFeed200419" />
In 2022, Antioch commissioned All Peoples Church in San Diego as an independent church-planting movement.<ref>{{cite web |last=Canterberry |first=Lauren |title=San Diego narrowly approves large church building project |url=https://wng.org/sift/san-diego-narrowly-approves-large-church-building-project-1742236115 |publisher=WORLD |date=March 17, 2025 |accessdate=September 1, 2025}}</ref>
== Jimmy Seibert == thumb|Antioch Community Church's Jimmy Seibert Jimmy Seibert says he did not grow up in the church. He was involved with Campus Crusade for Christ while he was attending Baylor University in 1985, and was influenced by its evangelistic mission. Despite his initial skepticism about this mission, it eventually became a part of what motivates his own ministry.<ref name="godreports">{{cite web |url=https://www.godreports.com/2019/02/mission-minded-pastor-spawns-church-planting-movement-locally-and-globally/ |title=Mission-minded pastor spawns church-planting movement, locally and globally |website=God Reports |date=18 February 2019}}</ref> In 1986, Seibert graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree (BBA).<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.baylor.edu/alumni/magazine/0104/news.php?action=story&story=7403 |title=Old Time Religion...Is It Good Enough for You? |magazine=Baylor Magazine |date=January–February 2003 |publisher=Baylor University}}</ref> Then, after pursuing business for two years, he became a pastor at Highland Baptist church in 1988—first a co-director of evangelism, then a college pastor, and finally a pastor of ministries.<ref name="Ryan" />
===Politics=== During the 2016 United States presidential election, Seibert preached about the election, calling both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump "very flawed, immoral candidates." Seibert urged Christians to participate in the election, and to consider a number of issues including abortion, religious freedom, "traditional marriage," the "value of the individual," care for immigrants and foreigners, and concerns about transgender children choosing which restroom to use. Siebert expressed concerns about the marginalization of Christians who hold traditional views. He also expressed horror, disgust, and outrage with late-term abortions. Seibert said this was a typical election sermon and was not meant to influence people to vote for Trump.<ref name="Wacotrib191116">{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=J. B. |title=Evangelical support for Trump strains relationships among believers |url=https://wacotrib.com/news/local/evangelical-support-for-trump-strains-relationships-among-believers/article_151a996d-5af7-5d9e-8228-3904cfaf6263.html |newspaper=Waco Tribune-Herald |date=19 November 2016 |language=en}}</ref>
== Life groups and discipleship practices == Antioch Waco organizes a network of small groups they call "life groups," which meet weekly in homes. Members compare life groups to the small gatherings of Christians that were common in the New Testament church. As Seibert describes this, "Our Sundays are just times of celebration or vision but not really the make or break of everything ... We really emphasize what's happening in the small groups as the core of our church." Seibert pioneered this concept at Highland Baptist Church, and subsequently brought the same structure to Antioch.<ref name="Peirsont">{{cite news |last=Piersont |first=Marla |title=Antioch Community Church baptizes members in a horse trough during a service at Melody Ranch |newspaper=Waco Tribune-Herald |date=January 23, 2000}}</ref>
Sociologists Kevin Dougherty and Andrew Whitehead note that these groups are "widespread in megachurches" where they are especially significant as an organizational strategy to increase participation. They note that "[o]ne in five American worshippers belongs to such a group" and that "being involved in a small, intimate gathering with fellow worshippers is related to positive religious outcomes for individuals."<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Dougherty |first1=Kevin D. |last2=Whitehead |first2=Andrew L. |date=2011 |title=A Place to Belong: Small Group Involvement in Religious Congregations |journal=Sociology of Religion |volume=72 |issue=1 |pages=91–111|doi=10.1093/socrel/srq067 }}</ref> In 2011, Dougherty estimated that, at Antioch Waco in particular, as many as 80% of members were "intimately involved" in these groups. According to Dougherty, this high participation rate has made Antioch look "almost cult-like in intensity" to some "outsiders," even though the small groups are viewed by "insiders" as central to their membership in the church.<ref name="Smith1" />
In 2019, ''BuzzFeed News'' reported that some unnamed former members of Antioch were critical of its discipleship practices.<ref>{{cite news |last=Petersen |first=Anne Helen |date=April 20, 2019 |title="Fixer Upper" Is Over, But Waco’s Transformation Is Just Beginning |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/annehelenpetersen/waco-texas-magnolia-fixer-upper-antioch-chip-joanna-gaines |publisher=BuzzFeed News |access-date=March 18, 2026}}</ref>
== International missionary efforts == Antioch International places a high priority on starting new churches around the world, a focus that grew out of the missionary school that Seibert started while at Highland Baptist.<ref name="Ryan" /><ref name="About Antioch" /> Antioch regularly hosts the World Mandate missions conference, which attracts attendees from around the globe, with satellite locations in twelve other cities.<ref name="Copeland">{{cite news |last=Copeland |first=Mike |title=Antioch to host thousands for World Mandate event in Waco |url=https://wacotrib.com/business/antioch-to-host-thousands-for-world-mandate-event-in-waco/article_7900ca2d-955c-50d4-a047-d04204e61f9f.html |access-date=April 11, 2024 |newspaper=Waco Tribune-Herald |date=September 19, 2014}}</ref>
Antioch's missionary school, Antioch Discipleship School, describes itself as a "spiritual development program" that teaches Christians how to "live on mission." Students range widely in age and occumpation, meet twice a week, and complete an "international outreach trip" at the end of the semester where they partner with long-term missionaries.<ref>{{cite web |last=Davidson |first=Jordan |title=Discipleship school offer supplemental education to people in ministry |url=https://baylorlariat.com/2020/03/04/discipleship-school-offer-supplemental-education-to-people-in-ministry/ |website=baylorlariat.com |date=4 March 2020}}</ref>
Antioch sponsors a ministry called "Haiti Transformed," which provides housing and humanitarian aid to victims of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, including work in the Leogane area.<ref name="Vu">{{cite web |last=Vu |first=Michelle A. |title=One Year Later: Homes for Some Haiti Quake Victims |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/one-year-later-homes-for-some-haiti-quake-victims.html |website=www.christianpost.com |date=12 January 2011}}</ref>
Antioch contributes to Restoration Gateway, a church planting and orphanage project located in Uganda. As of 2011, the project housed 55 kids from ages 5 to 12, and planned to take on as many as 300 orphans. The project runs a brick-production business, and uses this business to provide education and jobs skills to locals. As of 2011, the project had built 14 homes, as well as an auditorium, gymnasium, and school, with plans to complete a $750,000 hospital and dental office serving nearby villagers.<ref name="Selvey">{{Cite web |url=http://www.naplesnews.com/photos/galleries/2009/jul/28/selvey-inspired-uganda-mission-work/78463/ |title=Selvey inspired by Uganda mission work: Naples Photo Galleries |work=Naples Daily News |access-date=2011-08-10 |archive-date=2012-04-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403031733/http://www.naplesnews.com/photos/galleries/2009/jul/28/selvey-inspired-uganda-mission-work/78463/ |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Sanchez">{{cite news |author=Sandra Sanchez |date=January 27, 2011 |title=Waco missionaries restoring life in Uganda one brick at a time |newspaper=Waco Tribune |url=http://www.wacotrib.com/wacotoday/Waco-missionaries-restoring-life-in-Uganda-one-brick-at-a-time.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130208235928/http://www.wacotrib.com/wacotoday/Waco-missionaries-restoring-life-in-Uganda-one-brick-at-a-time.html |archive-date=2013-02-08 |access-date=2011-08-10 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Antioch provides “home groups” for international students, led by international students in their homes, that focus on sharing food from their home countries, bible study, and prayer.<ref>{{cite web |last=Crosley|first=Elise|title=Antioch student group creates ‘homes away from home’ with food, community |url=https://baylorlariat.com/2018/10/02/antioch-student-group-creates-homes-away-from-home-with-food-community/ |website=baylorlariat.com |date=2 October 2018}}</ref>
In August 2001, Antioch missionaries Heather Mercer and Dayna Curry were among eight aid workers arrested and imprisoned in Afghanistan by the Taliban on charges of "preaching Christianity". Mercer, Curry, and the other workers were held for 104 days, attracting international media attention.<ref name="Bearak" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=80411&page=1 |title=Aid Workers Free from Taliban's Hold |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=November 14, 2001 |website=ABC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417235943/https://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=80411&page=1 |archive-date=April 17, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Witherspoon |first=Tommy |date=August 24, 2021 |title=Family: Doctor imprisoned by Taliban with Waco missionaries 20 years ago fears for his family's life |url=https://wacotrib.com/article_b6e88be2-0518-11ec-811a-cf2756e787f8.html |newspaper=Waco Tribune-Herald |location=Waco, TX |access-date=July 29, 2024}}</ref> Taliban law forbids foreigners from propagating a religion other than Islam. The penalty for an Afghan who converts to Christianity is death,<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=August 28, 2001 |title=Parents Visit Americans Jailed in Afghanistan |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-aug-28-mn-39308-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |location=Los Angeles, CA |access-date=July 28, 2024}}</ref> but Curry told the ''Waco Tribune-Herald'' that they warned Afghans of the dangers of asking them about Christianity, and they "never wanted to put anyone in danger unless they also knew possible consequences."<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ryan |first1=Terri Jo |last2=Embry |first2=Jason |title=Sharing faith wasn't wrong, workers say |newspaper=Waco Tribune-Herald |date=9 Dec 2001}}</ref> Mercer and Curry would go on to co-author a book together about their experiences in Afghanistan, titled ''Prisoners of Hope'', while continuing to do work in Afghanistan on behalf of Antioch.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kxxv.com/hometown/mclennan-county/as-tensions-rise-in-the-middle-east-central-texans-look-back-to-when-waco-missionaries-were-captured-by-taliban |title=As tensions rise in Middle East, Central Texans look back to when the Taliban captured two Waco missionaries |date=18 August 2021}}</ref>
Following the 2004 Sri Lankan tsunami, Antioch sent at least a dozen American Antioch members to Sri Lanka with tens of thousands of dollars in aid money and 2,000 pounds of medical supplies. Team leader Pat Murphy identified the group as a humanitarian aid group and not a church group. However, Antioch's website subsequently said the team was one of four teams sent to Sri Lanka who have convinced dozens of people to "come to Christ." Some Christian leaders in Sri Lanka called this unethical. They expressed concern that mixing proselytization with humanitarian aid violates Red Cross guidelines followed by other religious aid groups, and could provoke violence from the Buddhist majority. Jimmy Seibert responded to the controversy by stating that Antioch sees aid work and missionary work as "one thing, not two separate things" and that he hopes that Christians always bring their faith to their work.<ref name="Rohde">{{cite news |last=Rohde |first=David |title=Mix of Quake Aid and Preaching Stirs Concern |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/22/world/worldspecial4/mix-of-quake-aid-and-preaching-stirs-concern.html |access-date=April 11, 2024 |newspaper=New York Times |date=January 22, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Smith |first=J.B. |title=Antioch pastor defends global mix of relief, religion |newspaper=Waco Tribune-Herald |date=January 30, 2005}}</ref>
== Position on homosexuality and marriage == Antioch believes that homosexuality is a sin.<ref name="BuzzFeed200419" /> Seibert says Antioch defines marriage as "[o]ne man, one woman for life", a position Seibert says is "straight from the Scripture".<ref name = "CP">{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Samuel |date=2016-12-02 |title=Chip and Joanna Gaines' Pastor Jimmy Seibert Responds to Buzzfeed's 'Hit Piece' |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/chip-joanna-gaines-pastor-jimmy-seibert-responds-buzzfeeds-hit-piece.html |access-date=2024-01-19 |website=The Christian Post |language=en-US}}</ref> Seibert has suggested that 90% of people in a same-sex relationship were “abused in some way" and told Waco business owners not to relax attitudes regarding homosexuality. He praised those willing to take a stand, even if it were to cost them money or lead to the loss of their business.<ref name="BuzzFeed200419" /> Antioch Waco also has a partnership with Living Hope Ministries, an organization that Baptist News Global says practices "sexual orientation change efforts" (Baptist News Global equates such efforts to conversion therapy). Dennis Wiles, the lead pastor of First Baptist Church Arlington, (where Living Hope is based and rents office space) insisted that Living Hope Ministries does not practice "conversion therapy".<ref name="Cousins">{{Cite web |url=https://baptistnews.com/article/at-baylor-university-the-debate-about-lgbtq-students-also-is-shaped-by-a-network-of-churches-embracing-conversion-therapy/ |title=At Baylor University, the debate about LGBTQ students also is shaped by a network of churches embracing conversion therapy |first=Emily |last=Cousins |date=June 2, 2022 |website=Baptist News Global}}</ref>
Antioch's position on LGBT issues led to controversy in 2016, when ''Buzzfeed'' published an article on Antioch's connection with HGTV Stars Chip and Joanna Gaines (hosts of the reality show Fixer Upper). The article covered the Gaines' relationship with Antioch Waco, Seibert's stance on homosexuality, and posed the question whether the Gaines shared Antioch's position on same-sex relationships.<ref name="BuzzFeed200419" /> In response, Seibert made a statement, reinforcing his beliefs that Antioch is not "anti-gay," but "pro-helping people in their journey to find out who God is and who He has made them to be."<ref name = "CP" />
== Impact on local community == Antioch chose its location in north Waco to contribute to a project of "neighborhood renewal and rejuvenation."<ref name="Ryan" /> The church has started several "community outreach" programs. These include a "financial restoration" ministry that offers faith-based financial education,<ref>{{cite news |last=Hoover |first=Carl |title=Faith adds dimension to financial literacy programs |url=https://wacotrib.com/article_625410bc-7710-5bfd-988e-c627192a86b3.html |access-date=April 11, 2024 |newspaper=Waco Tribune-Herald |date=May 14, 2015}}</ref> a summer meals program that offers free lunches to school children,<ref>{{cite news |last=Dennis |first=Regina |title=More Waco schools participate in free summer meals program |url=https://wacotrib.com/news/more-waco-schools-participate-in-free-summer-meals-program/article_1f47b810-dc07-5ffd-aa22-e3358975f32b.html |access-date=April 11, 2024 |newspaper=Waco Tribune-Herald |date=June 28, 2011}}</ref> a sport ministry program that offers summer sports programs for kids,<ref>{{cite news |last=Ramirez|first=DJ |title=High School Notebook: Winter trip to Caribbean brings Waco area players together |url=https://wacotrib.com/sports/high-school/high-school-notebook-winter-trip-to-caribbean-brings-waco-area-players-together/article_19e041d6-b016-11ee-a5bb-3b9cb85083dc.html |access-date=April 11, 2024 |newspaper=Waco Tribune-Herald |date=January 11, 2024}}</ref> a mentoring program focused on child literacy,<ref>{{cite news |title=Broadening efforts to positively impact Waco ISD students: Q&A with Waco ISD candidate Stephanie Korteweg |url=https://wacotrib.com/opinion/interviews/broadening-efforts-to-positively-impact-students-q-a-with-waco-isd-candidate-stephanie-korteweg/article_c057b607-ec55-56e4-aa61-c145e9daef80.html |access-date=April 11, 2024 |newspaper=Waco Tribune-Herald |date=April 26, 2015}}</ref> and a mental health support group.<ref>{{cite news |last=Culp |first=Cindy V. |title=Waco group teaches how to deal with mental illness |url=https://wacotrib.com/news/waco-group-teaches-how-to-deal-with-mental-illness/article_1efa2123-739c-5ff2-81c2-67e422626c21.html |access-date=April 11, 2024 |newspaper=Waco Tribune-Herald |date=September 4, 2011}}</ref> In addition, Antioch has regularly hosted a missions conference that, according to the Director of the Waco Convention and Visitor's Bureau, brings significant economic stimulus to the local economy.<ref name="Copeland" />
By 2011 Antioch announced expansion plans to spend $11 million on its own church building at its Waco headquarters location. The $11 million construction project would nearly triple the size of the church. Renovations would focus on the main sanctuary and a building intended for children's programs. Five percent of the revenue would be designated for poverty programs. When complete, it is estimated the new building's capacity could handle in upwards of 5000 attendees.<ref name="Smith1" />
The church had attracted more than 100 families to the area as of 2011. The ''Waco Tribune-Herald'' quoted one long-time resident as welcoming the newcomers, and praising the results of the attempts to restore the neighborhood.<ref>{{cite news |last=Smith |first=J.B. |title=Faith-motivated newcomers take root in North Waco |url=https://wacotrib.com/news/faith-motivated-newcomers-take-root-in-north-waco/article_28d8b1d1-02a8-5e3c-b9b5-ccd88e0e5929.html |access-date=July 25, 2025 |newspaper=Waco Tribune-Herald |date=May 1, 2011}}</ref>
In 2019, ''Buzzfeed News'' raised concerns about "gentrification" as a result of Antioch and the Gaines' "restoration" efforts, comparing Antioch Waco, Baylor University, and Magnolia (Chip and Joanna Gaines' company) to a "company town" that influences the spread of "power and prosperity" in Waco.<ref name="BuzzFeed200419"/> A response in The Baylor Lariat, Baylor University's student newspaper, reported mixed reactions to the BuzzFeed News article, including mixed reactions to whether Antioch Waco has promoted diversity enough.<ref>{{cite web |last=Whitaker |first=Emma |date=2019-05-02 |title=Buzzfeed Waco article garners mixed reviews |url=https://baylorlariat.com/2019/05/02/buzzfeed-article-gains-backlash/ |website=The Baylor Lariat |access-date=2025-07-25 |language=en}}</ref>
=== Addiction recovery programs === Antioch Waco runs two residential addiction recovery programs, one for men and one for women. Mercy House, the men's program, offers six- to eighteen-month programs involving discipleship, counseling, and work therapy for addiction.<ref>{{cite news |last=Crow |first=Kristen |title=Man who died after being subdued with Taser Remembered as a Gentle Giant |url=https://wacotrib.com/news/man-who-died-after-being-subdued-with-taser-remembered-as-a-gentle-giant/article_e26c005a-b25c-5a12-9f39-537326a6a465.html |access-date=April 7, 2024 |newspaper=Waco Tribune-Herald |date=November 30, 2010}}</ref> Grace House, the women's program, was opened in 2009, and offers a free twelve-month recovery program that focuses on "group therapy, spiritual guidance, life skills and wellness."<ref>{{cite news |last=Smith |first=J.B. |title=Church seeks to expand drug treatment in North Waco |url=https://wacotrib.com/news/local/church-seeks-to-expand-drug-treatment-in-north-waco/article_b15bccf4-c5a0-5c45-a972-8c28ef406d35.html |access-date=April 7, 2024 |newspaper=Waco Tribune-Herald |date=October 1, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Dennis |first=Regina |title=Grace House addiction recovery home shuttered, but fundraising to re-open |url=https://wacotrib.com/news/local/grace-house-addiction-recovery-home-shuttered-but-fundraising-to-reopen/article_a8312189-7e11-5a17-864c-c1a53f9434d0.html#:~:text=program%20for%20women.-,The%20center%20closed%20down%20in%20March%20due%20to%20financial%20challenges,goal%20of%20reopening%20in%20September.&text=Grace%20House%20Director%20Missy%20Morris%20gives%20a%20tour%20of%20the,addiction%20recovery%20program%20for%20women. |access-date=April 7, 2024 |newspaper=Waco Tribune-Herald |date=April 11, 2015}}</ref>
=== Anti-sex-trafficking work === In 2012, Antioch started a ministry called UnBound, which aims to assist the victims of sex trafficking by providing financial resources and raising awareness. According to the ''Waco Tribune-Herald'', UnBound is "a leader in the fight against the dehumanizing sex trade." UnBound has hosted meetings of the statewide anti-Trafficking group, thee Heart of Texas Human Trafficking Coalition. UnBound has also received praise from Waco police Sergeant Jason Lundquist, who said police "rely on the help from UnBound and other resources in the community" in their fight against sex trafficking. County District Attorney Abel Reyna praised UnBound, along with others in their coalition, for "making prosecutors' jobs easier."<ref>{{cite news |last=Witherspoon |first=Tommy |title=Waco, McLennan County efforts model for state in battle against human trafficking |url=https://wacotrib.com/news/local/crime-courts/waco-mclennan-county-efforts-model-for-state-in-battle-against-human-trafficking/article_47b09cc0-52c1-582f-9a47-e5878ab49b11.html |newspaper=Waco Tribune-Herald |date=February 18, 2017}}</ref>
In 2017 Antioch Waco's own community outreach pastor, Edward Ignacio Espinosa, was arrested for paying prostitutes for sex at a local massage parlor. Women working at the massage parlor were forced victims of human trafficking. After Espinosa confessed, he was placed on administrative leave and later resigned. UnBound assisted the trafficked women who were found at the parlor.<ref>{{cite news |last=Betz |first=Bradford |title=Church pastor who fought human trafficking paid for sex at massage parlor, authorities say |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/church-pastor-who-fought-human-trafficking-paid-for-sex-at-massage-parlor-authorities-say |website=Fox News |date=2 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Hoppa |first=Kristen |title=Former Antioch pastor arrested on prostitution charge |url=https://wacotrib.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/former-antioch-pastor-arrested-on-prostitution-charge/article_5fb6ee3d-609e-5b5e-a796-a2a6d963b7ba.html |newspaper=Waco Tribune-Herald |date=March 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=McGovern |first=Matt |title=Former Antioch pastor arrested in prostitution sting |url=https://www.fox44news.com/news/local-news/local/former-antioch-pastor-arrested-in-prostitution-sting/ |website=fox44news.com |date=March 1, 2018}}</ref>
== Related ministries == * Grace Alliance Mental Health, a support group ministry for members, by members, who suffer mental health that are intended to "fill in the gaps" of overloaded local mental health care facilities and professionals.<ref>{{cite web |title=How are we the answer to the city's needs |url=https://antiochwaco.com/how-we-are-the-answer-to-our-citys-need/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114025909/https://antiochwaco.com/how-we-are-the-answer-to-our-citys-need/ |archive-date=January 14, 2021 |website=Antioch Waco}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 19, 2020 |title=Grace Alliance |url=https://mentalhealthgracealliance.org/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919143058/https://mentalhealthgracealliance.org/ |archive-date=2020-09-19 |website=mentalhealthgracealliance.org}}</ref> * Haiti Transformed, a ministry committed to partner with the Haitian people to see their region transformed and redeveloped located in Leogane, Haiti.<ref>{{cite web |title=Haititransformed.org |url=http://www.haititransformed.org/haiti-transformed/ |website=www.haititransformed.org}}</ref> In 2011, Haiti Transformed constructed over 100 homes in Leogane, over 30 of which were completed through a partnership with the Passion Movement.<ref name="Vu" /> * Living Hope Ministries, an organization that "practices sexual orientation change efforts"<ref name="Cousins" /> are partners with three churches in the Antioch Movement: Antioch Waco, Antioch College Station, and Antioch Norman.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.livehope.org/get-involved/partner-churches/ |title=Partner Churches support Christians struggling with same gender attraction |date=March 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319134953/https://www.livehope.org/get-involved/partner-churches/ |archive-date=2023-03-19 |website=www.livehope.org}}</ref> * Restoration Gateway, a church planting and orphanage project located in Uganda.<ref name="Selvey" /><ref name="Sanchez" />
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{official|url=https://antioch.org}} __FORCETOC__
<!--- Categories ---> Category:Evangelical organizations established in the 20th century Category:Christian organizations based in the United States Category:Non-denominational Evangelical unions