Issue 92

Interesting and Little Known Facts about America’s Mid Century Evangelical Resurgence

A brief history of the Christmas tree.

As the 20th century reached its midpoint, visionary Boston preacher Harold John Ockenga helped launch a “new era in evangelical Christianity.”

Many people associate this word with religious bigotry and close-mindedness. But in the early 20th century, fundamentalists were simply evangelicals determined to do battle for the faith.

Harold John Ockenga defines the vision of the movement in this excerpt from a sermon preached at Park Street Church on December 8, 1957.

How do you change the course of the nation’s future? Youth for Christ had the answer: Win over the next generation.

Billy Graham’s early crusades stirred the sleeping conscience of mid-century America.

Henrietta Mears loved hats, college students, and the boundless possibilities of Christian ministry.

The Parachurch phenomenon

The central section of the timeline shows the growth of evangelical parachurch organizations, institutions, and associations during this era. Founders names are in parentheses.

Harold John Ockenga’s conviction that the church needs thinkers helped spark a renaissance of evangelical scholarship.

The New Evangelicals called for a fresh application of Christian truth to the social problems of the day.

Evangelicals are still searching for the elusive ideal of unity.

Dig Deeper into this issue’s theme

Three Christian activists who drew on faith to fight social challenges

Youth for Christ’s praying community sent young Harold Myra on a lifetime quest.