Gideons
Here are some highlights from our long history of service:
The Idea—In the autumn of the year 1898, John H. Nicholson of
Janesville, Wisconsin, came to the Central Hotel at Boscobel,
Wisconsin, for the night. The hotel being crowded, it was suggested
that he take a bed in a double room with Samuel E. Hill of Beloit,
Wisconsin. The two men soon discovered that both were Christians.
They had their evening devotions together, and on their knees
before God the thoughts were given which later developed into an
association.First Meeting Called —On May 31, 1899, the two men met
again at Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, where they concluded to band
Christian commercial travelers together for mutual recognition,
personal evangelism, and united service for the Lord. They decided
to call a meeting in Janesville, Wisconsin on July 1, 1899, in the
Y.M.C.A.“We shall be called Gideons.”—Only three men were present
at that meeting: John H. Nicholson, Samuel E. Hill, and Will J.
Knights. They organized with Hill as president, Knights as vice
president, and Nicholson as secretary and treasurer. Much thought
was given to what the name of the association should be, and after
special prayer that God might lead them to select the proper name,
Mr. Knights arose from his knees and said, “We shall be called Gideons.”
He read the sixth and seventh chapters of Judges and showed the reason
for adopting that name. 9, serves as an extended missionary arm of
the church and is the oldest Christian business and professional
men's association in the United States of America.
The Gideons International is an interdenominational association of
Christian business and professional men who are members of
Protestant/evangelical churches. Our members are dedicated to saving
the lost through personal witnessing and the distribution of God\'s Word
in more than 180 countries around the world. The majority of Gideons live
and serve in their local communities, making us very effective and efficient
because . . . • They know the local language and customs. •
They know where the hotels, schools, prisons, hospitals and other locations
where Scriptures need to be distributed are located. • Sometimes, we're
able to establish local groups of Gideons in countries where traditional
missionaries aren't allowed to go.
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