After World War II, Japanese-American churches in California, which had been closed during the war were dispersed and discouraged and struggling to get re-established. Congregations had been scattered to Chicago, Denver, New York, Cleveland, Detroit and other parts of the United States looking for work. As many began to return to California, English-speaking Nisei pastors were needed to minister to these young families.

Groups of young ministers and pastors, fresh out of Seminary, were full of evangelistic fervor and they began to meet regularly for weekly breakfast, prayer and fellowship - one in Northern California and one in Southern California.

The pastors decided to hold a joint prayer and fellowship retreat. But they needed a location. Remnants of racial discrimination leftover from the war meant many locations were unwilling to host the Nisei pastors. All of them turned the Nisei pastors away. All except one - Mount Hermon Conference Grounds.

In May 1950, pastors from Northern California and Southern California, met and prayed at Mount Hermon for the spiritual awakening among the Japanese-American churches. During the retreat, the pastors approved Mount Hermon as the site for Nisei Christian Youth Conference, and in June 1950, the first Mount Hermon Nisei Christian Youth Conference, "The Call of Christ" took place with over 100 people attending. Youth from all over the state left inspired and enthusiastic for the Gospel.

The pastors continue to meet and pray about putting into action the vision they felt God had given them. In January 1951 after much fervent prayer the Nisei pastors decided to establish the Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society - JEMS.

Each pastor gave $10 a month from his personal salary to support the new organisation.

While JEMS Mount Hermon started out with just the youth camp in 1950, it has since expanded to six divisions. They now have the Family, Jr. High, Inter High, Sr. High, College, and Special Camps. Additionally, the JEMS Mount Hermon family has grown to include all Asian-Americans, not just Japanese-Americans.

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God has used this ministry to bring many to faith. He has also given many the call to ministry at these camps. Apart from this, He has created a community of believers from across the country, and across denominations, who gather annually to encourage each other in their faiths. Thank God for all the numerous ways that He has used this ministry to bless His people.

"Where there is no vision, the people perish"

Proverbs 29:18a (KJV)