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God's Invasion Army/ Evangelism Corps collection, 1947-1987

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-Miss-4

Scope and Contents

The Applications series contains the handwritten applications of both accepted and rejected applicants. The application's contents may include, but are not limited to, interest forms and inquiries about applying, the standard application form, health reports, vaccination cards, and personal references. Also in the series are the Miscellaneous Undated Documents folder, containing a health report for William Dinsmoor, and the Photographs subseries, which contains pictures attached to and mailed with applications and documents.

The Correspondence series contains letters and telegrams from the Board of Home Missions, financial officers, Corps members, US Government offices and Invasion Army directors. Topics include inquiry of visitation by the GIA/Corps, requests for draft deferments (including letters addressed to President Dwight D. Eisenhower) and financial reports and requests. The Border Statement documents state the intent of GIA members who are crossing the border to work in Canada. Most letters are categorized in the range of dates from 1954 to 1978, but also included are miscellaneous undated correspondence. The William Turnwall subseries contains multiple folders of correspondence which were loosely bound and attributed to the Reverend, with subjects including member applications and financial documents.

The Directors’ Files series contains correspondence, secretarial notes, financial documents, biography files, and scheduling documents. Some specific director’s subseries also include personal items such as bound manuals, memory books, and formal writings about God’s Invasion Army. An additional folder in the series, the Job Description folder, contains a multi-page document titled “Working Job Description – Evangelism Corps Director (Present Policy – Subject to Revision)” that includes lists of duties, roles, and responsibilities.

The Materials and Blank Copies series contains mailed materials, surveying documents, ministry handouts, and other informational or financial forms. The Bound Manuals and Policies, and Regulations, Etiquette and Dress Codes folders were documents covering the standards of behavior for all members of the Corps. The Summer Surge folder contains copies of an application packet given to Pastors and Youth Workers for the summer program. The Name Suggestion Forms folder contains blank copies of the form for re-naming God’s Invasion Army. Many of the other documents and packets contained in this series were further resources mailed to churches that were visited by the GIA/Corps. There are also copies of the various volunteer certificates given at the end of the program.

The Reports series contains two subseries, Evaluation Reports and Annual Reports, as well as Statistical Reports and general yearly reports. Evaluation Reports give feedback on the work and character of the members of the Corps. Annual Reports comprise the accomplishments from the past year of evangelization and include overarching details taken from minor reports throughout the year. The general yearly report folders contain weekly team leader reports for advancement and calling, as well as smaller statistical reports. The Statistical Reports folder contains a list from a statistical document for the 1956 GIA and statistical report from the 1986 summer training program.

The Alumni Association series contains documents from the GIA/Evangelism Corps Alumni Association. The association kept records of alumni member addresses, official founding articles, financial statements, and news articles. The series also includes the alumni newsletter and documents pertaining to their Friends and Alumni Breakfast gathering.

The Photographs series contains photographs of the directors, daily group and ministry activities, full group photographs and press photographs. The directors’ photographs are divided into folders based on the individual directors and include images of their wives and families. Photographs of daily activities are found in the Miscellaneous People and Activities folders, the Vehicles and Traveling Folder, Food and Cooking folder, Devotion and Prayer, showing personal and group prayer, and the Recreation folder. These folders include anything from daily chores to sports to hair cuts. Ministry activities span many of the folders and include the Calling Program and Advancement and Surveying folders, which show their door to door knocking program, the Music folder and Programming subseries. There is a section for the Training School, where new members put together props and learned the various programs and presentations, as well as the basics of ministerial visitation. Other folders in the series include the Miscellaneous Negatives folder (undated), the Group – 1987 folder containing photographs from a separate folder, and Photo Descriptions folder containing written descriptions of photographs with no corresponding photos mentioned.

The Obsolete Manuals folder contains the standards and practices for God’s Invasion Army. The manuals include the Mobilization Campaign Manual, the Intern Program packet, the Visitation Guide and a manual of general information. Additionally within this folder is the Advance Meeting Manual with sections titled ‘Pastor’, ‘Slides’, ‘Flip Chart’, and ‘Deacons’.

The Church Surveys - 1953 folder contains the returned forms of churches on whether or not they would be interested in hosting GIA the following year as well. Other items within the folder include correspondence with revisions to the forms and a document outlining potential plans for GIA in 1954.

The Advance Promotion Check Off Lists (1956?) contains completed promotional check-off lists with labeled locations from the 1956 Invasion Army.

The Training School of Evangelism folder contains miscellaneous documents relating the training school portion of the year that members would partake in. Examples of these documents include schedules, invoice notices, travel allowance requisition, and correspondence.

The Stationary Letterhead folder contains various blank documents with the God’s Invasion Army/Evangelism heading. The Letterhead in this folder is seen being used across the entire collection.

The Standard Articles and Reprints folder contains copies of the Standard Newspaper which contains articles about or mentions of God’s Invasion Army. Copies include Vol. 9/No. 6, Vol. 41/No. 5, Vol. 55/No. 15, Vol. 68/No. 8 and 13, Vol. 69/No. 11, and from the dates. August 14, 1967, October 1981, and 1987.

The Returned Miscellaneous Questionnaire folder contains a feedback questionnaire from the 1966 Army.

The Program Proposals folder includes proposals and write-ups for the Suggested Program for an Eight Day Evangelistic Campaign by William Turnwall, Youth Outreach Weekend, and The District or Regional “Evangelism Corps”. These suggested programs are additional programs or reworkings of the current program.

The Obsolete Manuals contains manuals also found in the Director’s Files which lay out rules, regulations, and the format for Visitation and Etiquette of the group.

The “Missions In Action” Corps Introductions folder contains brochures which introduce the names of the year’s Corps members and director, locations to be visited, general plans, and a group photo.

The Miscellaneous Promotional Material folder contains sheets named “A Bridge to Your Community” and prayer introduction distribution sheet.

The Memory Sheets folder contains miscellaneous undated documents with Corps members favorite moments and songs from the year.

The Mailed Newsletters contains correspondence with subjects such as expressed interest and expectations for pastors, upcoming yearly schedules, the Training School, anniversary updates, reunion planning, group experiences, prayer letters, and messages of thanks.

The Lists of Corps Members contains the committee notes and a list of names of Corps members for 1951, 1952, 1953, and an undated year.

The Itineraries folder contains the daily and weekly schedules for multiple years of GIA/Evangelism Corps. These documents range from a general calendar of locations to a breakdown of daily activities by hour. Also with the Itineraries is the 1956 2-Month Spread Calendar.

The Insurance series includes the Plan of Insurance for GIA members and a folder of miscellaneous insurance documents. The Plan of Insurance folder contains the insurance plan designed by Ministers Life and Casualty Union for GIA. The Insurance plan includes life insurance and health insurance for all members except the director and their family.

The Historical Materials contains artwork, cumulative history writings, lists of the directors, brochures and pamphlets, a poster from Ebenezer Baptist Church with the heading “God’s Invasion Army Returns to Saskatoon” and a research paper presented to Mr. Ben Harder by Tom W. Titcombe in June 1969.

The Harold Lidbom Folder contains a historical account of Harold Lidbom’s life, written correspondence with subjects including Phil Skogmo, lists of Corps Members, the Christmas season, and travel.

The GIA Newsletters folder contains written correspondence about new vehicle needs and the annual meeting, a copy of the Courier Newsletter from the Northeast Baptist Conference and copies of the the Invasion Army News and GIA Contact with various updates on the group’s adventures, prayer requests, and mission accomplishments

The Financials – Miscellaneous folder contains donation envelopes, expense and repair cost documents, salary and check requisition sheets, and a folder of vehicle service bills from multiple years.

The Equipment folder contains correspondence, quotes and invoices about GIA/Corps vehicles. There is also correspondence related to technological equipment such as film reels.

The Corps Member Addresses folder contains the addresses at the time of collection for many previous members of GIA/Corps. One of the documents was used to inquire about whether or not they had joined the Alumni Organization.

The Church Newspapers and Bulletins folder contains a copy of Vol. 2, No. 8 of the Mercer Baptist Messenger, sent to Gordon Anderson, which mentions the visitation by GIA. It also contains a yellow envelope with bulletins collected from the Churches visited in 1949 and 1950.

The Bulletin Inserts folder contains written correspondence about bulletin insert needs and requests, as well as the bulletin inserts. Subjects of bulletin inserts include monetary support, upcoming visitation, the history of the Corps, and the program set up.

The Brochures and Prayer Cards folder contains various brochures, prayer cards, cards, instructional sheets, and bulletin inserts from throughout GIA history.

God’s Invasion Army/Evangelism Corps had its own advisory board to oversee the members, applications, and church interest. The Advisory Committee Minutes folder contains the Advisory Board minutes and a few notes from 1972, 1973, and 1974. A secondary folder titled Board Minutes, 1947-1976 may pertain to the Advisory Committee, but is more likely from the Home Missions Board with their specific meetings on GIA/EC.

The Binder folders are a set of documents that was removed from another folder and kept in its original order. It contains a set of the Manuals (found also in the Morris Engstrom Files and the Obsolete Manuals folder), church service, prayer, and business cards,

The Personal Testimonies folder contains writings and reflections from GIA/EC members and alumni on their experiences with the group or at a specific location. These documents include both handwritten and typed notes. Also in the file is the original folder with the Home Missions logo and written label.

The 25th Anniversary folder contains a list of attendees of the reunion, an invitation letter, correspondence, writings from alumni, and the 2nd Annual Newsletter.

The Additional Reading List folder contains an annotated bibliography document listing 11 additional resources for church members to read, including article reprints and Bible Study suggestions.

The Second Century Crusade folder contains committee meeting minutes and notes, bulletins, lists of crusade goals and LIFT [Living Investment Forward Thrust] Process Reports. Separate from the Crusade of the Americas, the Second Century Crusade was a slightly earlier, 5-year campaign that set out with the purpose of inspiring witness, establishing 50 new churches, reminding Baptists of their heritage, and increasing participation throughout the Church.

The Prayer Group Guide folder contains a bound prayer group guide used by the Woman’s Missionary Society. Some topics from the guide include guiding other prayer groups, group goals, and further reading suggestions. The front cover is signed R. Norstrom.

The Crusade Photographs sub-series contains photographs specifically related to the Crusade of the Americas. The Congress on Evangelism folder contains pictures of speakers, attendees, and various locations in the Washington, D.C. area, from an envelope of the same name. The Film Strip Preview Prints folder includes film strips and preview prints related to the Congress on Evangelism. The Miscellaneous photographs folder includes more pictures of speakers and locations around Washington, D.C., but were not included in the previous envelope. The News Releases folder contains photographs for the crusade with press release information, names, and labels attached to the back.

The News Releases folder contains news articles from about the efforts of people in Central and South America, The Pan American Baptists Laymen’s Evangelism Conference, The Southern Cone, Crusade Prayer Day, ‘A Hymn for the Americas’, ‘Hemisfair – World’s Fair Pavilion Proposal’, the initial Crusade planning announcement, and an editorial debate over the relationship of Baptists and Catholics for the Crusade. In addition, the folder contains two bulletins: the Panama Baptist Convention Special Bulletin and World News No. 11 by World Evangelical Fellowship. Other items include press photo descriptions with their brown envelope of origin, correspondence about word changes, and the Annual Report of the General Coordinator.

The New England Conference in the Crusade folder contains a letter from Rev. Bruce Jones to Gordon Anderson sent with Conference Awake! Materials. The Conference Awake! Materials include pastor packets, personal commitment covenant forms, evaluation sheets and questionnaires. Also in the folder are a general Crusade of Americas plan and a December 1968 copy of The Banner, Vol. 21, No. 6.

The My Personal Commitment Booklet folder contains a Bible Study program from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association which includes a small certificate, a copy of the Gospel of John, and a list of questions.

The Miscellaneous Papers folder contains various documents including Our Church in the Crusade of the Americas by Wayne Dehoney, the Convention and Membership of Baptists in the Crusade of the Americas, DIA Bulletin Briefs, news article reprints and A Trip to Central America by Henry Early Peacock. The correspondence found in the folder contains progress reports and notes on the Special Committee on Follow Through, as well as the Congress on Evangelism of the Southern Cone, Mendoza, Argentina and Continental Congress on Evangelism, Washington, D.C., USA. Other items in the folder include The Pastor’s Guide, a suggested schedule and programs to convocations and conventions.

The Mailings folder contains primarily letters to ministers, pastors, and conference workers. Other items in the folder include data sheets, the Meet Your Savior Crusade Planbook and poster, the Sunday Bible School Prayer Calendar, and miscellaneous teaching materials.

The Key 73 folder contains a pamphlet published by the World Home Bible League. Sections include Preparatory Bible Study, Goals, and Scripture Distribution and Evangelistic Bible Study Programs.

The Evangelism Seminar Conference Packets folders include reminder cards, Recommendations for My Church forms, and packets with a program letter sent from Robert Norstrom, personal notes and planning correspondence

The Crusade Responses from Pastors folder primarily contains handwritten and typed correspondence between Gordon Anderson and pastors from the conference. Subjects of correspondence include reactions to and criticisms of the Crusade, requests for informational materials and tracts, and the Congress on Evangelism. Included with some letters are worship service programs and calendars of Crusade events.

The Crusade and Evangelism Tracts folder contains tracts (or pamphlets) which were to be mailed or handed out. Subjects include general information about the Crusade, the theme of “Christ the Only Hope”, the Congreso Panamericano de Laicos Bautistas, the Sermon on the Mount, new baptism, evangelism and witnessing. The folder also includes a typed letter about the printing of the tracts.

The Congress on Evangelism folder contains items related to the Continental Congress on Evangelism, including press release descriptions, invitations, programs, progress reports, and a Congress Handbook. There is also correspondence from Gordon Anderson and Robert Norstrom’s ticket to the United States Congressional Visitors Gallery for the 90th Congress, Session 2D, signed by Senator Everett McKinley Dirksen from October 1968.Additionally there is a green folder which contains a name tag, miscellaneous planning papers, programs, a hymnal booklet, biographical information on speakers.

The Conference Responses series folders contain the Recommendation For My Church responses. Several folders also include handwritten lists of names and churches that are involved. The Baptist Conferences are Central Canada, Columbia, Dakota, Great Plains, Lower Michigan, Middle East, Midwest Conference, Minnesota, New England, Rocky Mountain, and Southwest. The Conference Baptist Men Prayer Breakfast folder contains a pink Christ the Only Hope folder with various materials about preparation for the year of evangelism, including a Personal Strategy sheet, schedules, pamphlets and request forms, a copy of the Crusade Hymn, church materials, and order blanks.

The ‘Christ the Only Hope’ News Bulletin folder contains monthly issues ranging from October 1966 to November 1969. Attached notes suggest these copies may have belonged to Gordon Anderson.

The Christ the Only Hope Blue Folder contains items sent out to churches and church members in preparation for the Crusade of Americas. Miscellaneous papers include womens, girls, men, and boys work memos, the 1969 Crusade plan, and the International Agreement to Pray for the Crusade. There are also several booklets such as the Youth Role booklet, the 1968 Plan, 4 Spiritual Laws, and the This Is Home Missions booklet.

The Booklets folder contains two bound booklets titled ‘Occupation Army’ by Abe Funk and ‘Christianity – From Retreat to Triumph’ by The Universal Publishing Association, Mount Carmel Center, Waco, Texas. The Universal Publishing Association is associated with the Branch Davidians and Seventh Day Adventists.

The Black Folder (General Info) is a black bound folder of general information relating to the Crusade of Americas. Items in the folder include a blank copy of the Evangelist Data Sheet, a spiral bound Directory of Evangelists, a newsletter from Gordon H. Anderson [Executive Secretary of Home Missions], and monthly copies of the ‘Christ the Only Hope’ News Bulletin.

The Index cards are located in a box labeled "Permanent GIA file by the year never remove cards". They include names and addresses on index cards dating from 1950 to 1966, as well as ones organized by state.

Dates

  • 1947-09-25 - 1987

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for researcher use.

Biographical / Historical

In September 1947, Reverend Ed Nelson proposed that a group of young people be chosen to be trained to spread the gospel and convert people across the nation. Immense interest led to an original group of 50 young adults who were willing to join. Eventually, the program grew into a yearly initiative and traveled throughout the United States to visit different churches and communities. They developed a standard six-week training school, door-to-door calling and knocking program, visitation guides, and study and Sunday School group sessions. In the late 1960s, calls for a name change occurred when many found the name to be harmful to the character of the group. In 1970-71, God’s Invasion Army adopted the name Evangelism Corps with a new mission to utilize these young people to train other church members to do the work the original groups did. They also developed an internship program for individual members of the Corps to serve in a specific church community for three months. The Corps ended with its last director in 1987. The group had a total of twelve directors in its 40 years:

1. Ed Nelson – 1948-52

2. James “Jim” Merrill [Wanda] – 1953

3. Wally Zwemke – 1954-55

4. Norman Nideng [Helen] – 1956-59

5. Abe Funk [Ann] – 1960-65

6. James Selander [Gladys] – 1966-68

7. Al Magnuson [Cheryl] – 1969-71

8. Monty Okken [Athalie] – 1972-74

9. Cal Swanson [Linda] – 1975-77

10. Robert “Bob” Bowman [Judy] – 1978-80

11. Morris Engstrom [Ouida] – 1981-1986

12. Gordan Sundberg [Bette] – 1987

The Board of Home Missions and the Baptist General Conference additionally underwent two periods of crusade: The Second Century Crusade (1959-1964) and the Crusade of the Americas (1968-197?). Common goals of these two widespread missions were to connect the individual churches of the Conference to a greater community, spread the message and mission of Jesus, and encourage church members to personally recommit themselves to Christ. The God's Invasion Army/Evangelism Corps helped to promote this mission and utilized Crusade materials in the churches that they visited.

Extent

12 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

The original order is unknown, so the records have been reordered and maintained in 8 series, with multiple folders without a series. Loosely wrapped and uncategorized correspondence, photographs, and some misc brochures or loose papers were re-categorized into new or existing folders. This includes some director’s correspondence, the Turnwall correspondence, and historical materials. All of the major series are in alphabetical order but the original order inside of the series; all other folders belonging to God’s Invasion Army, but not belonging to a series, come after. The Crusade of the Americas series comes after the God’s Invasion Army materials, because it is in affiliation with the group but not directly part of it. Finally, the Photographs series is at the very end of the collection.

Custodial History

The original provenance of this collection comes from the Board of Home Missions. The date of donation is unknown. The brown scrapbook was sent to the History Center by "Books by the Pound" in Searcy, Arkansas in February 2023. The sender is unsure where it came from originally. Additionally, the Morris Engstrom files in a smaller separate box with more personal material, may have been collected or donated separately.

Processing Information

The brown scrapbook was sent to the History Center by "Books by the Pound" in Searcy, Arkansas in February 2023 and arrived in good condition. After the scrapbook was processed and photos stored, the processing of the larger God’s Invasion Army/Evangelism Corps collection was begun. Materials were processed beginning in March, and continuing into the summer, of 2023 by Ellie Heebsh, Archival TA.

At the time of processing, most materials were stored together in the archives in boxes labeled God’s Invasion Army 1950s, God’s Invasion Army 1960s, and Evangelism Corps 1970s. Another large box labeled Crusade of the Americas and a smaller box labeled Morris Engstrom were located in the Archives and incorporated into the God’s Invasion Army Collection.

Title
God's Invasion Army/ Evangelism Corps collection, 1947-1987
Author
Ellie Heebsh, Archives TA
Date
March - July 2023
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the The History Center: Archives of Bethel University and Converge Repository

Contact:
3900 Bethel Drive
Arden Hills MINNESOTA 55112 United States