Founded in 1915 as the Hebrew Christian Alliance of America, it adopted its present name in 1975.
As Messianic Jews, MJAA congregations teach a belief in Jesus Christ (whom they call "Yeshua") as their messiah.
The organization was under the sponsorship of Philip Milledoler of the Reformed Dutch Church.
Their efforts led to the formation in December 1816 of the first American Christian mission to Jews, which was incorporated on April 14, 1820, as the American Society for Meliorating the Condition of the Jews, spearheaded by Joseph Samuel C. F.
[3] There were, however, few Jews in the US at the time, and the organization was run by Christian leaders of a variety of denominations.