A History of ICOM: Decades of Responding to the Call of God for Global Evangelism

Excitement fills every venue in what has become known as one of the greatest gatherings this side of heaven. Known as the National Missionary Convention for over 60 years, it developed into what is now the International Conference on Missions. It emerged out of a rich history and exists to encourage, enlist, and equip workers for “fields that are white unto harvest.”

It was early in the 1800s, that a few leaders from around the world and various denominations discovered a common bond. Rather than protesting differing church doctrines and creeds that evolved over the centuries, they sought to follow “no book but the Bible” and to have “no creed but Christ.” They determined to use the Bible as their “only source of authority and practice.”

A Brief History

As years passed, the final command of Jesus to “disciple the nations” weighed heavily on some who felt a burden to share the gospel with all peoples. Though some leaders expressed concern that an organized society could pre-empt the church, they formed the American Christian Missionary Society in 1849. Alexander Campbell was chosen as president, and workers were soon going to share the gospel in the regions beyond.

By the early 1900s, society leaders had become liberal and were departing from biblical practices. The United Christian Missionary Society (UCMS) was formed in 1919 and promoted comity agreements, open membership, and mergers with denominations. Many missionaries resigned and became independent of any society, preferring to be sent directly from local churches.

Though a few missionaries were sent overseas directly from churches beginning in 1849, a turning point took place 100 years ago in 1926. At that time, several well-known missionaries including J. Russell and Gertrude Morse in China, Sterling and Dr. Zoena Rothermel in India, Leslie and Carrie Wolfe in the Philippines, and others resigned from the society and became independent. Many others went forth to join these pioneers and open new fields of service.

The genius of having a spirit of unity based on biblical truth led them to declare, “not to be the only Christians, but to be Christians only.” Enthusiasm filled this movement as churches were established and started growing across the Americas and around the world. The North American Christian Convention first convened in 1926 as a fellowship for those desiring to return to these original restoring principles. Though it was a North American event, global workers were included from time to time and displays from around the world were welcomed in the exhibition area.

WWII brought about many challenges for global workers. Some were imprisoned and others returned to the United States for a season, but God was working his will in wondrous ways. Many military soldiers and chaplains witnessed the world need and determined to return to serve as “soldiers of the cross” when the war was over. These were exciting days in world evangelism as many joined the missionary force and thousands started coming to Christ.

A Place to Report

With all that God was doing among the nations, workers overseas felt the need for a special gathering to report what was taking place. In March of 1948, Mariam Schaefer from India, J. Russell Morse, and Morse’s son Eugene, from China met in the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Chase, who had served in Korea, to pray and discuss the possibilities.

That prayer meeting led to a one-day Foreign Mission Rally that was held on April 20, 1948, preceding the NACC at the Westside Christian Church in Springfield, Illinois, with John Chase as president. He also served as president in 1949 for a two-day rally that preceded the NACC in Indianapolis, Indiana. Missionaries in the United States asked to participate in these rallies as well, so a joint committee was formed to host what was named the National Missionary Convention (NMC) in Webster City, Iowa, during the gathering held November 14-17, 1950. Harry Schaefer served as president, and all were excited with the design and appointment of a rotating Continuation Committee to give annual guidance.

During this same time, WWII Military Chaplain Harrold McFarland saw the need and rose to the occasion by starting Mission Services Association (MSA) that printed newsletters for missionaries and, in 1951, started publishing Horizons magazine. MSA filled the gap beautifully for 70 years until communication technology made it easier for them to report directly from the field to those who sent them.

It is also notable that Christian Standard joined the global effort and promoted many mission projects such as Kulpahar Christian Mission and others. It is fascinating how the National Missionary Convention became the platform and forum to coordinate many of these efforts and not only rally the churches to fulfill the Great Commission, but to challenge workers to enter the harvest fields.

The missionaries who were driven out of China by persecution scattered to serve in seven other countries. J. Russell Morse had to remain behind and was put in a Communist Chinese prison for 15 months. Christians around the world rallied in fervent prayer for his release. Then they overflowed the First Christian Church building in Dodge City, Kansas, where the 1952 NMC convened that September. J. Russell Morse was released from prison on June 20th and was one of the speakers. Hundreds had to stand outside, but they peered through open windows to hear him speak for an hour and 46 minutes. His cry was, “Where there is no battle, there is no victory. The greater the battle, the greater the victory.” The NMC was the perfect venue for such events.

A Place to Recruit

Bible Colleges were encouraged to send students to attend this great gathering. As a student at Lincoln Bible Institute, I was excited to drive a carload of students to the NMC in 1956 in Joplin, Missouri. Among them was Flora Mae Guernsey who later went to Korea as a missionary and after returning from Korea worked for Mission Services Association, and then as desk editor for Christian Standard. It was an exciting gathering as we heard reports from around the world and were inspired to become recruits.

After transferring to Ozark Bible College, five of us boys drove to Minnesota Bible College where the 1957 NMC was being held with Max Randall as president. That convention would firm up in each of us a lifetime commitment. Jim Moreland and David Bayless went to Brazil, David Filbeck to Thailand, Harvey Bacus to Jamaica, and I to Africa.

Three couples made the long journey together from Ozark Bible College in Joplin, Missouri, to the 1958 National Missionary Convention in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Jim and Mary Moreland had been married three days. Kent and Betty Mechem for three weeks, and Helen and I for three months. It is no wonder the students at OBC dubbed it the “Honeymoon Express.” Tibbs Maxey was the president of the convention that year and the program was extremely challenging with men like Isaiah Moore who spoke on “Here Am I, Send Me.” The Moreland’s soon went to Brazil as missionaries, the Mechem’s to Canada, and Helen and I to Africa.

A Place to Connect

The exhibit area is a hub of activity, fellowship, and contact. Missionaries meet with recruits. They build partnerships with each other and share with donors. It is truly a great gathering place. The impact of the 1960 convention in Norfolk, Nebraska, caused Helen and me to make our final decision to go to Africa as we met with Dr. Pruett, John Pemberton, and others. Without money to rent a motel, we didn’t even mind sleeping in the back of our car alongside a Nebraska cornfield, for we were headed to Africa with our 18-month-old daughter.

On each furlough during the next 15 years while in Africa, we looked forward to continuing our sojourn with the convention, even having the privilege to work with Robert Lillie, W.E. McGilvery, Leland Tyrrell, and Tibbs Maxey at the 1964 convention in New York City to produce Convention Guidelines.

A Season of Growth

In 1966, Walter Birney volunteered and was approved to serve as the Convention Coordinator, working with the Continuation Committee in leading the NMC. It became a full-time position in 1985. In all, Walter served in this position for 43 years. Under Walter’s leadership the convention grew from one thousand to several thousand attendees. Walter and his wife, Iva Lou, worked tirelessly while planning conventions all over the country. Iva Lou retired in 2008 while Walter retired in 2009.

We came on furlough for the NMC in San Antonio, Texas, in 1968 and stayed over for the convention in 1969 in Knoxville, Tennessee, where the auditorium was packed with 2,425 attendees. A special time of prayer and devotions, music from various Bible colleges, testimonies from many countries, and great messages filled the main services.

David Savage writes of that convention,

An air of anticipation permeated the packed auditorium on the first evening. Ninety-eight had made life dedications in San Antonio. What would happen this year in Knoxville? Then it happened! From all over the auditorium they came, down every aisle and from the balcony. Some walked and some came running. Some came with deliberation. Some came crying. A total of 165 Christians expressed their desire to serve full time.

Over 300 missionaries were in the business meeting where reports were given and final plans were made for the following year with Glenn Bourne as NMC president in Champaign, Illinois, with over 4,000 in attendance.

The NMC grew rapidly and expanded with a special youth program developed by youth minister David Empson. He had taken a group of youth to the NMC in 1996 when Doug Lucas was president in Lexington, Kentucky. In 1997 David caught a vision in Tulsa to have a youth presence at the NMC. He combined youth minister programs and teen conventions with the NMC which became a major expansion beginning in 1998. In 2005, David was named as the next Executive Director of NMC with that transition occurring in 2008.

Governance of the NMC has gradually changed over the years from being a missionary-led to a board-led gathering. This brought about the appropriate change of names to the International Conference on Missions (ICOM). Officers of the Continuation Committee had served as an Executive Committee until gradually an ICOM Board was formed. Other exciting programs for special groups and all ages were added through the years along with additional staff to guide those programs.

I’ve been blessed to attend 60 of the NMC/ICOM gatherings over the years and continue to praise God for the thousands who have been and continue to be impacted by the Spirit of God that permeates those who attend. Though times and things have changed, leading to a different structure of governance and style of main sessions, the passion to fulfill the commission to “make disciples of all nations” burns deeply in this great gathering known as the International Conference on Missions.

Author: Ziden L. Nutt

Ziden and Helen Nutt moved to Zimbabwe, Africa, in 1961 where they founded Chidamoyo Christian Mission and Good News Productions. In 1975, their family returned to the United States to expand GNP to an international ministry with nine global centers serving evangelistic efforts around the world.