In the early 1940’s, a group of Mennonite churches in Lancaster, Pennsylvania began to feel a burden for the unsaved, particularly those in areas where there was little Gospel witness.  There was already a growing movement of overseas missions work being done but some felt that we should not neglect those within our borders.  So Lancaster Mennonite Conference put together what was called an Itinerant Evangelism Committee.

Starting in 1943, and for the next 20 years or so, teams of persons mostly from northern Mennonite communities gave a portion of their summers to Bible School outreaches in the South.  A tent would be set up wherever permission was given.  Bible classes were held for children during the day and “revival” meetings were open to the parents and surrounding community each evening.  Generally these outreaches were in rural areas.