The Congregational churches trace their roots to sixteenth-century England. Freethinking Christians motivated by the Reformation wanted change in their ways of worship. The Puritans wanted to "purify" the Church of England by demanding an educated clergy and the right to hire their own minister. They also believed that a church should be a simple gathering of Christians with Christ as the only head of their church created for the purpose of hearing God's Word and governed by a covenant written by its members. 

Some of those church reformers stayed in England while others became Separatists and joined the Pilgrims on the Mayflower for their journey to New England in 1620. From those humble beginnings evangelism and mission movements caused the Congregational churches to spread from one end of the world to the other.

Since 1977 the ICF has hosted international conferences bringing together adults, youth, clergy and laity from our churches all over the world. The Congregational Way calls us to fellowship with each other. It is truly amazing what like-minded Christians can learn when we take the time to share our experiences and our faith journey. We hope you will spend some time getting to know us here on this website and, perhaps, even join us for our next Quadrennial Conference. No matter what, who or where you are, in the name of Jesus Christ you are most welcome here.

To Register for the 2023 ICF Fiji Conference, please go to the "Conference Information" Tab on this website, or click here!

The Congregational Federation, in honor of the 400th Anniversary of the Mayflower sailing, has produced a collection of short films titled Mayflower Fest! To learn more about Mayflower Fest click here!

As the new Moderator of the International Congregational Fellowship, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the ICF website.

The Rev. Mike Fales grew up in Flint, Michigan in the U.S. and first learned about The Congregational Way as a student at Olivet College in the 1970’s. After a career in the hotel/restaurant business he returned to his alma matter in 1992 where he currently serves as Director of Service Learning and Campus Ministries and Assistant Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies and Religion. In his role as Director of the college Service Learning program, Mike has led Olivet students on mission and disaster relief trips all over the world including to Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Peru. Olivet students traveled to New Orleans for eight Hurricane Katrina relief trips and have assisted with every major natural disaster in the U.S. since that time including in Texas, South Carolina, Louisiana, New Jersey, Oklahoma and most recently Northern Florida. Olivet students have served the people of Puerto Rico four times in the last two years.

Click here for more information about Mike Fales.