A look into the History Files

OMS in Japan in 1905

I recently found in our OMS history files an amazing script that was used as a presentation at our 100 anniversary of OMS International in 2001. It shows the growth of OMS alongside incredible events that have happened throughout history. I thought it was interesting and wanted to share some of it with you!

1901 - The journey began! Charles and Lettie Cowman arrive in Japan and are met by their friend Juji Nakada. The first Central Gospel Hall opens in Tokyo.

1903 - The Wright Brothers build and fly the first working airplane - a definite impact on missions!

1907 - OMS begins working in Korea.

1912 - The Great Village Campaign begins in Japan.

1914 - OMS Headquarters moves from Tokyo, Japan to Seoul, Korea.

1914 - World War One begins.

1914 - OMS begins in New Zealand.

1918 - The Great Village Campaign is completed in Japan. 10,300,000 homes received the Gospel which resulted in the start of 400 new churches!

1928 - Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin alleviating severe risks for missionaries around the world.

1939 - World War Two begins.

1941 - OMS enters India; Korea missionaries are evacuated/Pastors jailed, tortured, martyred.

1941 - Japanese attack Pearl Harbour.

1942 - First India Bible school opens.

First OMS NZ missionary, Graham Houghton, discipling a young Indian man.

1943 - OMS begins work in Colombia, South America.

1946 - Missionaries return to Japan and Korea.

1947 - OMS enters Greece.

1950 - OMS enters Brazil and Taiwan.

1950 - The Korean War begins.

1954 - The polio vaccine is developed.

1954 - OMS enters Hong Kong.

1957 - The first crusade for OMS ministry, Men for Missions.

1966 - OMS headquarters moves to Indiana, where it still stands today.

1969 - Neil Armstrong walks on the moon.

1973 - 1 million people attended the Billy Graham crusade in Seoul, Korea. This was the largest evangelistic meeting in history.

1981 - OMS enters the Philippines and France.

1990 - OMS enters Mexico.

Brochure about the CoMission in 1992

1992 - The CoMission is launched resulting in 85 organisations working together as the Body of Christ, taking the Gospel to the former Soviet Union.

1999 - OMS sponsors a Worldwide Theological Consultation on the campus of Asbury Theological Seminary, with 77 Theologians from 17 countries in attendance representing 31 seminaries and Bible Schools.

2001 - OMS celebrates its centennial. OMS is in 30 countries with 5,107 churches, 1.1 million believers, 29 seminaries and Bible Schools!

To God be the glory, great things He has done!