Maranatha Bible Church - Akron

What Maranatha Bible Church - Akron does

Maranatha Bible Church is an independent, non-denominational Bible church headquartered at 1424 Killian Road in Akron, Ohio. Founded on September 24, 1995, with 465 people meeting at Springfield High School, the congregation purchased its current property in 1997, broke ground on a dedicated worship facility in August 2002, and held its first service in the new building on February 8, 2004. The church is governed by a plurality of elders and led by Senior Pastor Bruce Rosa, supported by a staff of approximately 12 including pastors, ministry directors, and operations personnel covering adult ministries, discipleship, youth, young adults, missions, care, worship, communications, and preschool programs.

The church operates a comprehensive multi-generational ministry portfolio segmented by life stage: Kids Ministry (Little Ones Landing, Preschool Park, Runners Road), Students Ministry (Elevate for middle school, Citizens for high school), Young Adults Ministry (The Well, ages 18-35), Women's Ministry, Men's Ministry, Worship, Missions, Care, Connect Groups, Adult Bible Fellowships, Equipping Classes, and Theological Studies. Sub-brands include The Well, Citizens, Elevate, and Preschool Park (the latter operating as a separate web property). Digital infrastructure is built on the Church Center SaaS platform (online giving, event registration, sermon library, member management) plus a Squarespace website, with content distribution through the 'Beyond the Pew' podcast, YouTube, and Instagram accounts for each student/young adult sub-brand.

The business model is non-profit religious: revenue is generated primarily through voluntary tithes and offerings (recurring), designated missions giving (recurring), and facilities usage fees for weddings and events. Services and programs are free; the church is funded by member contributions. The church has planted five daughter churches in northeastern Ohio since 2005 (Bridge, Grace, MissionView, Community, Five39) and supports approximately 35 mission partners across local, regional, and global tiers. Community outreach includes foster care advocacy (responding to a documented Summit County crisis), school-based programs, a New Movers initiative, and care ministry visitations.

Name

Maranatha Bible Church - Akron

Legal name

Maranatha Bible Church

Website

https://mbc95.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Maranatha Bible Church is an independent, non-denominational Bible church in Akron, Ohio, founded in 1995 and operating from a single campus with a multi-generational ministry portfolio (Kids, Students, Young Adults, Men, Women, Missions, Care). It funds operations through voluntary congregational giving and has planted five daughter churches in northeastern Ohio since 2005.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (813110), Religious Organizations (8131)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International) (BPAGAJAE), Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG), Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD), Faith-Based Humanitarian Aid & Relief Ministries (BPAGAJAF)

Keywords

• Religious services
• Church ministries
• Bible teaching
• Worship services
• Community outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Akron

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: Voluntary financial contributions from congregation members collected during services and through online giving platform. Members commit to growing together in faith and serving one another through financial support.
2. Missions Giving: Special designated giving for mission projects, global church planting, and partnership support with worldwide ministry efforts
3. Facilities Usage Fees: Facility rental fees for weddings and events, with wedding approval request process through Church Center

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Maranatha Bible Church is a non-profit Bible church that provides weekly worship services, life-stage ministry programs (children, students, young adults, men, women), Bible teaching, pastoral care, and community outreach. Offerings are delivered free of charge and supported by voluntary tithes, offerings, and designated missions giving. The church also operates a live-streamed service, an online giving platform, a podcast, and partners with local and global mission organizations.

Product overview

Maranatha Bible Church is a purpose-driven church founded in 1995 offering a comprehensive portfolio of ministry programs and services. The church operates a multi-generational ministry structure including children's programs (Maranatha Kids with Little Ones Landing, Preschool Park, and Runners Road), student ministries (Elevate for middle school and Citizens for high school), young adult ministry (The Well), men's and women's ministries, and worship services. Additional programs include Connect Groups, Adult Bible Fellowships, Equipping Classes, Theological Studies, Care Ministry, Missions Ministry, baptism, and membership. The church also provides digital content through the Beyond the Pew podcast and supports Preschool Park. All programs are designed to support the church's mission of making disciples who believe in Christ, connect with one another, grow in Christ, and serve Him.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Well: The young adult ministry of Maranatha Bible Church, designed for individuals between the ages of 18 and 35. The ministry fosters community, teaching, and engaging worship for young adults.
• Citizens
• Elevate

Products and services

• Sunday Worship Services Weekly Sunday worship services held at 9:15 AM and 10:45 AM at 1424 Killian Road, Akron, Ohio, including singing, prayer, biblical teaching, and parallel Kids ministry. Services are also live-streamed online at 9:15 AM.
• Kids Ministry (Maranatha Kids) Children's ministry program for ages 0 through 5th grade, including Little Ones Landing (ages 2 and under), Preschool Park (ages 2-5), and Runners Road (Grades K-5), providing biblical teaching, worship, and age-appropriate activities during Sunday services.
• Students Ministry (Elevate and Citizens) Student ministry comprising Elevate (middle school) and Citizens (high school) programs, providing interactive gatherings, relevant teaching, and opportunities for students to grow in faith and build meaningful friendships.
• Young Adults Ministry (The Well) Young adult ministry for individuals ages 18-35, offering Connect Groups, monthly gatherings, worship, teaching, and community building to help young adults grow spiritually and deepen their walk with Christ.
• Women's Ministry Women's ministry providing Bible studies, gatherings, support groups (Broken to Beautiful Recovery, Forgiven & Set Free, Grace & Beauty, Praying for Prodigals, Widows of Faith), and fitness activities including Pickleball and Drum Fitness.
• Men's Ministry Men's ministry providing Bible studies, fellowship, and events designed to help men grow as followers of Christ and be equipped to lead and serve in their families, workplaces, and beyond.
• Worship Ministry Worship ministry focused on Sunday services with singing, prayer, and teaching, guided by nine principles centered on God, the Gospel, Scripture, community, and mission.
• Missions Ministry Missions ministry focused on making disciples and planting churches locally and globally, supporting local partners (Refuge of Hope, Haven of Rest, Broken Chains Ministry), regional partners, and global mission partners through prayer, giving, serving, and short/long-term trips.
• Care Ministry Care ministry providing pastoral care through Griefshare support groups, visitations for those in hospitals, nursing homes, or hospice settings, and outreach to those searching for biblical hope.
• Connect Groups Small community groups for cultivating meaningful relationships through prayer, sharing, and serving together, including groups for young adults, families, and seniors meeting throughout the year.
• Adult Bible Fellowships (ABFs) Sunday morning Bible study groups for adults organized by life stages (ages 36+, 50+, 60+), providing study, relationship building, and fellowship at 9:15 AM and 10:45 AM.
• Equipping Classes Discipleship classes designed to help believers understand God's Word, apply truth to their lives, and equip them to disciple others, including courses like 'Growing in Christ' and 'My Place In God's Mission'.
• Baptism Baptism services for individuals who have placed their trust in Christ, including water immersion, testimony sharing, and church family celebration.
• Membership Program Church membership program with orientation meetings held several times per year to learn about the church's mission, values, and the importance of membership in the community.
• Theological Studies In-depth theological study program led by Pastor Butch Pursley, exploring theological complexities and core doctrines through study, discussion, and reflection, with session recordings available online.
• Beyond the Pew Podcast Church podcast hosted by Bruce Rosa and Erick Gil, offering practical encouragement and insight for living out faith beyond Sunday services, available on podcast platforms and YouTube.
• Facility Rentals (Weddings and Events) Facility rental services for weddings and events, with a wedding approval request process managed through the Church Center platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5 daughter churches planted since 2005, expanding Kingdom impact in northeastern Ohio

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

41 partnerships are on record, tiered local, minor, regional and global.

• Refuge of Hope MinistrieslocalStrategic or Co-development PartnerInner-city faith-based non-denominational Christian mission in Canton, OH serving as a men's homeless shelter offering overnight housing, hot meals, showers, spiritual guidance, and accountability.
• Haven of Rest MinistrieslocalStrategic or Co-development PartnerAkron-based ministry serving and glorifying God through Christ-centered life-changing programs responding to physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of men, women, and children.
• Broken Chains MinistrylocalStrategic or Co-development PartnerDennis and Tamela Shawhan's ministry serving inmates in Summit County jail with mentoring, advocacy, faith-based services, identity restoration, and workforce development through Urbean Café. Also operates Lydia's Home, a residential faith-centered recovery program for women.
• ICU MobileminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free, convenient, comfortable, and non-judgmental ultrasound services to pregnant women who may be considering abortion, serving women and saving lives through sharing Christ.
• Pregnancy SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOffers a wide range of free services to help women make informed decisions about unplanned pregnancies, providing answers and hope.
• LifeWise AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOffers Bible education to public school students during school hours, improving academic performance, behavior, and overall well-being while presenting the Gospel.
• The International Welcome CenterlocalStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmpowers the foreign-born in the greater Akron area by helping them navigate the immigration system and integrate into the community through love, service, and friendship as representatives of Christ.
• TWO22minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreates a place where every student feels invited, welcomed, and loved, encounters the Gospel, and is connected to a local church through unified efforts of churches and the community.
• Steve and Sue Oswald - Word of LiferegionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquipping local churches to reach today's youth through evangelism, discipleship, and leadership training in the USA.
• Roger and Kathy Scarbro - American Indian Missions Inc.regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerReaching and teaching American Indian tribes in the southwestern U.S. for Christ.
• World HelpregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelps plant churches throughout supporting national pastors in Cuba and India.
• John & Rachel Reaser - Shoulder to ShoulderglobalStrategic or Co-development PartnerResources pastors and churches in the Mazatlán area, Mexico, equipping them to be lighthouse churches in their communities.
• Equip MinistriesglobalStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrains overseas pastors and leaders, empowers the church, and reaches the unreached around the world.
• R. & K. - TurkeyglobalStrategic or Co-development PartnerServes as lead pastor of a church in Turkey committed to church planting and evangelism.
• Daniel & Myriam Liberek - United World MissionglobalStrategic or Co-development PartnerServes with Global Evangelists Forum, mobilizing and equipping evangelists in French-speaking countries. Daniel serves as European Director of United World Missions, based in Belgium.
• B. & A. - Middle East (Christar)globalStrategic or Co-development PartnerServing with Christar in the Middle East with a goal of seeing local churches planted where Muslims have access to the Gospel and can be transformed into passionate Jesus worshippers.
• Kevin & Allyson Martin - World TeamglobalStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking alongside local pastors in The Evangelical Church of Indonesia (GIDI) to give counsel and support to church leaders, with Allyson handling administrative roles for World Team Papua.
• Josh & Sara Whitman - Italian MinistriesglobalStrategic or Co-development PartnerJosh pastors The Rock church in Italy and they invest heavily in their community to spread the good news of salvation through Christ.
• Brother Bennie - Alpha MinistriesglobalStrategic or Co-development PartnerExecutive director of Alpha Ministries in India, seeking to reach the unreached and plant churches where none exist by working with native church planters.
• M & B - ChinaglobalStrategic or Co-development PartnerEncourages, resources, and supports pastors and church planters in China through theological and topical training seminars.
• Stefen & Keren Silver - Kerem-El CongregationglobalStrategic or Co-development PartnerStefan shepherds and disciples as a pastor in Haifa, Israel, while Keren ministers through music and counseling in their community-minded church.
• D. & S. - Ethnos 360 Central AsiaglobalStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks with the national church in Central Asia to disciple and mature the church with the goal of reaching the unreached in the Himalayan mountains.
• Tim & Kathy Heijermans - Biblical Ministries WorldwideglobalStrategic or Co-development PartnerHas a heart for evangelism, discipleship, leadership training, and Bible translation in Spain.
• Scott and Lisa Carter - ABWEglobalStrategic or Co-development PartnerIdentifies, resources, and connects future church planters and missionaries in Ukraine and Eurasia.
• One For IsraelglobalStrategic or Co-development PartnerOnline evangelistic ministry that also equips Israeli believers through training at their Bible college and discipleship programs.
• B. & L. - AfricaglobalStrategic or Co-development PartnerB. serves as a surgeon at Kapsowar Hospital and L. raises funds to help improve education of orphans, showing the love of Christ.
• Steve & Shelly Larson - Missio KaleoglobalStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquipping churches in the Myanmar region through training and supporting pastors.
• House of HopeglobalStrategic or Co-development PartnerCares for orphans who are spiritually, physically, and economically poor in Ghana, Africa, helping them become responsible Christian adults for the purpose of impacting their world.
• J&K - South AsiaglobalStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrayer that the Lord would use their team to help see a healthy church planted in a language in South Asia that does not have one yet. Work includes language learning, business development, gospel proclamation, and discipleship.
• G. & K. - Business as Mission AsiaglobalStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with local church planters to provide training and sustainable income through small businesses to enable ministry work.
• Jen S. - East AsiaglobalStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilding relationships through writing, teaching, and consulting to advance the Kingdom.
• Setan Lee - TransformAsiaglobalStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks through TransformAsia so Cambodia's children can gain hope, dignity, and a vision for the future through the love of Christ.
• Carl & Laura Ralston - Remember NhuglobalStrategic or Co-development PartnerRescuing children from the sex trade industry throughout the world and meeting their physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs.
• Justin & Lindsay Mitchell - World VentureglobalStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaking disciples and planting churches in the Kawasaki/Yokohama region of Japan, engaging the community as a means of making disciples and organizing indigenous churches.
• Jared & Leah Haynes - Ethnos 360globalStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining and discipling future missionaries in Canada to go to unreached people groups to evangelize and plant churches.
• Vincente & Anna Ruiz - Path of Salvation ChurchglobalStrategic or Co-development PartnerVicente pastors Path of Salvation Church in Mexico and works with Anna in surrounding areas to grow the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Javier & Jeannette Leyva - Shoulder to ShoulderglobalStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks with the Reasers to serve pastors and churches in the Mazatlán area, equipping lighthouse churches in their communities.
• J. & B. - North AfricaglobalStrategic or Co-development PartnerVision to see God glorified in North Africa through widespread gospel proclamation and a growing faithful fellowship via strategic local partnerships focused on prayer, gospel proclamation, and discipleship.
• Daniel and Karrie Bethel - Christar SpainglobalStrategic or Co-development PartnerDaniel serves as Director of Church Planting and facilitates healthy church-planting teams among least-reached areas worldwide. Karrie serves as Women's Ministry Director, leading 12 Affinity Group leaders.
• Edgar & Carmen Meraz - Shoulder to ShoulderglobalStrategic or Co-development PartnerServes in pastoral care, counseling, and training classes in Mazatlan, Mexico. Edgar helps onboard new churches while Carmen provides medical care for pastors and families and serves in women's ministry.
• John and Lesley Tellis - Biblical Ministries WorldwideglobalStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch planting in the East of Scotland, one of the world's unreached people groups with only 1% identifying as Evangelical Christians, bringing light of the Gospel.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Acts 29 Network: A global church-planting network of which Maranatha's daughter churches are likely affiliated. Comparable in mission, theology, and church multiplication focus, providing peer insight into planting strategy and resources.
• Church Center (by Planning Center): The church management, giving, and engagement platform Maranatha uses for operations, online giving, check-in, and event registration. Adjacent technology provider that enables Maranatha's digital ministry infrastructure.

Direct peers

• Community Bible Church: A Maranatha daughter church serving the broader northeast Ohio area with similar ministry programs and church-planting culture. Directly comparable model and missional approach.
• Five39 Church: The fifth daughter church planted by Maranatha since 2005, sharing theology, region, and missional DNA. A direct peer in ministry model and church-planting trajectory.
• Bridge Bible Church: Another daughter church planted by Maranatha in 2005, operating in the same northeastern Ohio region with comparable ministry structure and Bible-church theology. Direct operational and missional peer.
• MissionView Church: Another Maranatha daughter church with the same Bible-church roots, located in northeast Ohio, and pursuing similar discipleship and outreach models. Closely comparable in size and stage.
• Grace Bible Church: One of Maranatha's five planted daughter churches in northeast Ohio, sharing the same Bible-church DNA, elder-led governance, and church-planting ethos. Most direct comparable in theology, model, and regional context.

Regional players

• Cornerstone Chapel: Non-denominational Bible church in northeast Ohio providing expository preaching, family ministries, and global mission engagement. Operates in the same regional market with similar theological and ministry approach.
• The Chapel (Akron): A large multi-campus evangelical church in northeast Ohio offering similar Bible-teaching, family ministry, and community outreach programs. Larger in scale but operates in the same regional market with overlapping audience.

Peers

• RightNow Media:

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/thewell_mbc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/maranatha-bible-church-akron

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Maranatha Bible Church - Akron