140 Years of Faith, Community, and Mutual Aid: A Story Still Growing
This April, Mutual Aid Agency (MAA) begins a year-long celebration of an extraordinary milestone—140 years of faith-driven service, stewardship, and care.
Founded in 1885 by members of the Church of the Brethren in Ozawkie, Kansas, MAA was born from a simple, powerful idea: neighbors helping neighbors, congregations protecting one another, and communities coming together in times of need.
Today, as we kick off this special anniversary month, we’re not just honoring our history—we’re celebrating the spirit that still carries us forward.
A Forest of Strength and Unity
MAA has often been compared to a forest, where strong, towering trees shield smaller, younger ones from the storms.
When we stand together—when we protect and nurture each other—everyone grows stronger. That’s the heart of mutual aid, and it’s the foundation MAA was built upon.
An anonymous poem from our early days captures that spirit beautifully:
Lend a hand to one another
In the daily toil of life:
When we meet a weaker brother,
Let us help him in the strife.
There is none so rich but may,
In his turn, be forced to borrow,
And the poor man’s lot today
May become our own tomorrow.
Through every decade, every challenge, and every season of change, that commitment to each other has never wavered.
A Few Stories That Still Make Us Smile
As we reflect on 140 years of service, a few colorful stories remind us just how much the world—and MAA—have grown:
- Marketing, the Old-Fashioned Way:
In the 1880s, there was no marketing team or advertising budget. Our outreach consisted of a short note printed on the back of every insurance policy and a few handwritten summaries mailed to members!
- Gasoline Engines? Only if They’re Off:
When automobiles first appeared, MAA cautiously agreed to insure gasoline engines—but only when they weren’t running! Early leaders embraced innovation carefully, always putting stewardship first.
- Television Sets and Tiny Antennas:
As televisions swept across America in the 1950s (and shows like I Love Lucy captured hearts), the board thoughtfully debated whether to insure fragile rooftop antennas. Eventually, they said yes—but with a modest $100 limit!
- A Spirit That Endures:
Through every era of change, MAA’s mission stayed the same: to be more than an insurance provider—to be an extended family, a network of care, trust, and shared strength.
From Kansas to the Nation
Though MAA began by serving a small group of Brethren in northeast Kansas, our roots spread far and wide. By the 1920s, membership had expanded across Kansas, then across the Midwest, and finally across the United States.
Today, we’re proud to provide insurance solutions for churches, ministries, farmers, businesses, homeowners, and individuals across multiple states—offering protection tailored to real life, real ministry, and real community needs.
Through it all, we have remained deeply connected to our purpose.
A portion of every premium still supports the Brethren Mutual Aid Share Fund, helping congregations and individuals in crisis.
Mutual aid isn’t just in our name—it’s in everything we do.
Thank You for 140 Years of Trust
As we celebrate this milestone, we’re filled with gratitude for everyone who has been part of this journey:
- The faithful founders who gathered around a kitchen table in 1885.
- The generations who nurtured and expanded the mission.
- And the churches, ministries, and families who still believe in the power of mutual aid today.
This is more than an anniversary.
It’s a living legacy—a story of faith in action, shared burdens, and hope for the future.
Here’s to 140 years of growing stronger, standing together, and building a future rooted in service.
Thank you for being part of the Mutual Aid family.
Follow along with our 140th anniversary celebrations at: www.maabrethren.com/140th