History

Seeds of a Publishing Movement

The Baptist General Tract Society is founded “to disseminate evangelical truth and inculcate sound morals” through the distribution of tracts. The idea begins when Rev. Noah Davis of Norfolk, Va., writes to former classmate J.D. Knowles proposing the creation of a national tract society.

Founding the Home Mission Society

Frontier missionary John Mason Peck and Jonathan Going establish The American Baptist Home Mission Society to promote gospel preaching across North America. Peck, already traveling thousands of miles on horseback distributing Bibles and tracts, becomes the society’s first home missionary.

Missionaries on the Frontier

By 1836, 150 missionaries serve across 14 states, two territories and two provinces. Despite opposition from some churches concerned about autonomy, the missionaries report remarkable activity—traveling thousands of miles, preaching hundreds of sermons and organizing new congregations.

A Stand Against Slavery

The American Baptist Home Mission Society refuses missionary appointments to slave owners. Southern Baptists withdraw funding and form the Southern Baptist Convention. Missionaries previously appointed must choose between boards; all but one remain with the original society.

Ministry to Freed People Begins

Following the Emancipation Proclamation, the society commits to sending missionaries and teachers to newly emancipated people across the South, bringing Christian instruction and support as military advances open new opportunities for ministry.

Joanna P. Moore’s Pioneering Ministry

Joanna P. Moore begins unpaid ministry among freed people in refugee camps, teaching literacy, Bible lessons and homemaking skills. She later establishes “Fireside Schools,” publishes Hope magazine reaching 36,000 homes and helps found Faith Home for the Aged with Kitty Lewis.

Education for Freed Communities

Schools for freed people begin in humble settings, including abandoned jails and former slave quarters. The society launches a Freedmen’s Fund supporting dozens of institutions, including schools that become Virginia Union University, Arkansas Baptist College and Spelman College.

 Women’s Mission Societies Organized

Two women’s missionary organizations are formed in Chicago and Boston, partly in response to Joanna P. Moore’s appeals for support. Moore becomes the Chicago society’s first fully commissioned paid missionary.

William J. Simmons Leads in Education

Formerly enslaved and later educated at the University of Rochester and Howard University, William J. Simmons is appointed to lead a struggling Louisville school. He later becomes the first African American district secretary for southern states.

Missionary Training for Women

The Women’s Baptist Home Mission Society opens the Baptist Missionary Training School in Chicago to prepare women for domestic mission work. Women from multiple denominations attend to train for both domestic and foreign missions.

Women’s Societies Unite

The WBHMS and WABHMS merge to form the Woman’s American Baptist Home Mission Society, expanding their work through Christian centers serving crowded urban and industrial communities.

Hispanic Ministry Pioneer

Santiago Soto-Fontánez becomes an American Baptist home missionary. Born in Puerto Rico and influenced by American Baptist missionaries, he later leads churches in Puerto Rico and New York City, where a Brooklyn storefront mission grows to 400 members.

Ministry During Internment

American Baptists minister to Japanese Americans unjustly imprisoned in internment camps during World War II. Missionaries provide spiritual care and practical support while advocating for educational and employment releases.

First Native American Woman Missionary

Ioleta Hunt McElhaney becomes the first Native American woman to receive full missionary appointment. A Kiowa woman and Keuka College graduate, she serves churches and missions in Oklahoma.

Mission Agencies Unite

The American Baptist Home Mission Society and the Woman’s American Baptist Home Mission Society combine boards, staff and mission programs, expanding ministry focused on racial justice, youth protection, hospitality and refugee resettlement.

Jitsuo Morikawa’s Evangelistic Vision

Jitsuo Morikawa is appointed director of evangelism. Interned during World War II at the Poston Relocation Center, he emerges with a conviction that not only individuals but institutions must be transformed by the gospel.

Expanding Spanish-Language Resources

Santiago Soto-Fontánez develops essential Spanish-language ministry resources while serving as director of Spanish Work for the Baptist City Society of New York.

Public Witness in Washington

The Office of Governmental Relations opens in Washington, D.C., encouraging American Baptists to engage public policy as Christian witness, addressing issues including poverty, hunger, housing, health care and human rights.

Becoming National Ministries

Following denominational restructuring, the organization begins operating as National Ministries. Mission work in Latin America—except Puerto Rico—is transferred to International Ministries.

A “Shalom Response” to 9/11

National Ministries responds to the September 11 attacks with ministry in New York City and Washington, D.C. More than $1.6 million in relief funds are distributed as pastors, chaplains and volunteers serve those affected by the tragedy.

Educational Ministries Joins

National Ministries absorbs Educational Ministries, bringing discipleship, education and publishing—including Judson Press—under one umbrella. The merger reconnects ministries with roots in the Baptist General Tract Society.

Disaster Response in the Gulf Coast

Following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, National Ministries responds to the ecumenical call for disaster relief. Over the next decade, more than 5,000 volunteers serve in the Gulf Coast, including annual rebuilding work in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward.

Reclaiming the ABHMS Name

National Ministries reclaims its historic identity as American Baptist Home Mission Societies. Staff gather in New York City to celebrate the organization’s roots near the site where the original society was founded in 1832.

Space for Grace Begins

As issues of race, religion, culture and class increasingly divide communities and spark violence, ABHMS debuts Space for Grace, a national gathering that engages people of diverse faith traditions through healing conversations, artistic expression and quiet reflection. The inaugural event also marks the retirement of Executive Director Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III and welcomes Dr. Jeffrey Haggray.

A New Mission Center and Space for Grace

ABHMS relocates with American Baptist Extension Corporation and American Baptist Women’s Ministries to a renovated building in King of Prussia, Pa. The Leadership and Mission Building becomes a hub for collaboration and ministry. That same year, Space for Grace is held in Philadelphia, continuing the national gathering for spiritual caregivers and faith leaders.

Center for Continuous Learning Launches

ABHMS launches the Center for Continuous Learning, expanding its historic commitment to leadership development and discipleship through digital and in-person education. Led by founding director Rev. Rebecca Irwin-Diehl, PhD, the center introduces an online learning platform and dedicates the Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III Learning Center in King of Prussia.

Space for Grace Returns and Expands

After a pandemic hiatus, ABHMS revives its national gathering for ministry leaders. Held in Kansas City, Missouri, the event expands into the Space for Grace & Spiritual Caregivers Conference, welcoming chaplains, pastors, and other spiritual caregivers seeking renewal, reflection, and community in ministry.

Space for Grace and Judson Press Bicentennial

ABHMS hosts the Space for Grace & Spiritual Caregivers Conference in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, gathering ministry leaders for reflection, guided learning, and spiritual renewal. The year also marks the 200th anniversary of Judson Press, founded in 1824 as the Baptist General Tract Society and now the publishing ministry of ABHMS.