SET APart & Sent
Following the Spirit’s Call – From Our Beginnings to the Nations
“Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off." Acts 13:1-3

Missions:
Intrinsic to the Essence of
Hawthorne Gospel Church
As told by our Senior Pastor John Minnema

1915
In 1915, the renowned evangelist Billy Sunday conducted an evangelistic crusade in Paterson, NJ. Following this event, some of the newly converted women initiated a Bible Study.



1925
By 1925, some Christian men, standing outside a home in Hawthorne, were inspired by their wives attending the Ladies' Bible class. Their passion for spreading the word led to discussions about organizing Sunday afternoon meetings — not in traditional “church time” — solely to preach the gospel. On June 5, 1925, in a rented fire hall in Hawthorne, 24 believers gathered to hear the teaching of God’s Word.




As the attendance for these meetings grew, it became clear that God was working. Thus was born the Hawthorne Gospel Mission, a name embodying their core belief: the paramountcy of sharing the gospel.

1932
By 1932, the mission evolved and was rechristened as the Hawthorne Gospel Church. As offerings flowed in, they were generously directed to support multiple missionaries and organizations, ensuring the gospel they preached was accessible to all.



Rooted in the teachings of God's Word, the church believes in “...going and making disciples of all nations…” as stated in Matt. 28:19. Following the directive of Jesus in Acts 1:8, they've been his “...witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”.

1939
Not only did they focus on Hawthorne and its neighboring regions, but they also had an unwavering commitment to evangelism on a global scale. Supporting numerous missionaries initially, by 1939 they sent out Ed Schuit, the first among many to spread the teachings of Jesus Christ.


Present Day
The fervor that kindled the initial desire to share the gospel worldwide remains undiminished. Through all these years, missions have been intrinsic to the essence of the Hawthorne Gospel Church!

‘I am your missionary, representing on that field the widespread ministry of the Hawthorne Gospel Church. I am not alone in the work; we, you and I, stand and work together.’ 1947. Horace McGuill...Pakistan Refugee Camps
I am very glad for the privilege of being in the Lord’s work in a place where the Gospel is scarcely known.’ 1949
Dr Walter Newman...Martinique
‘In order to learn to learn to speak their (Shapra) language fluently, we must live right with the Indians and get to know them in all situations of life. An understanding of them and their way of living is necessary to a good translation of the Bible into their own language.’ 1950. Doris Anderson…Peru
It has been our privilege to go out into the villages…..even though we could no talk to the people, we were glad to go and were challenged by their great interest. We are anxiously waiting for the day – working on it – when we can come to them with the good news of our wonderful Savior and Lord.’ 1949. Neil & Cay Vander Ploeg…Congo, Africa
‘We need young men who can be taught to read and to be grounded in the scriptures so they will be able to go out among their own people as evangelists.’1948. Gladys Gilson...West Africa
‘Our work at Blukwa is just a small part of the whole, and we praise God for the privilege of serving Him here………many precious souls among the Lendu and Bahema people have turned from darkness unto light’. 1950. Ed Schuit…Belgian Congo
Global Missions Legacy: A Gospel Journey Unfolds
Explore the powerful story chronicling how HGC missionaries, driven by faith and purpose since 1939, have taken the Gospel across continents—shaping lives and transforming generations.
Press the play button to watch the video above
A Glimpse into HGC's Missions History:
Stories from 1947–1993
Since 1939, HGC has been sending missionaries around the world in response to
Jesus’ call. The following Fellowship News clips from 1947 through 1993 captures just a glimpse
of their powerful stories—lives devoted to sharing the Gospel, crossing cultures, and
leaving a lasting impact for Christ.
Jesus’ call. The following Fellowship News clips from 1947 through 1993 captures just a glimpse
of their powerful stories—lives devoted to sharing the Gospel, crossing cultures, and
leaving a lasting impact for Christ.
Berlin, Germany
52.520008
13.404954
Niger
17.6078
8.0817
Wuchang, China
30.5444
114.3419
Ozarks, USA
36.497
-92.1302
Sudan
12.8628
30.2176
Amsterdam, Netherlands
52.3676
4.9041
Belgian Congo
-4.038333
21.758664
Morrilton, Arkansas, USA
35.1509
-92.7418
Chile
-35.675147
-71.542969
Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, Mexico
16.162
-95.2047
Congo (Belgian)
-4.038333
21.758664
Martinique
14.6415
-61.0242
Cucuta, Colombia
7.8891
-72.4967
Texila, Punjab, India
33.745
72.7856
Montana, USA
46.879682
-110.362566
Bonaire
12.1784
-68.2385
Bluka
Côte d'Ivoire
7.539989
-5.54708
Chatham, UK
51.355173
0.525325
Morocco
31.791702
-7.09262
NYC, USA
40.7128
-74.006
East Tennessee, USA
35.5175
-83.3985
Jamaica
18.109581
-77.297508
Kingston, Jamaica
17.971214
-76.793583
Tennessee, USA
35.5175
-86.580447
Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
38.833881
-104.821363
Japan
36.204824
138.252924
Argentina
-38.416097
-63.616672
Quito, Ecuador
-0.180653
-78.467834
Cuba
21.521757
-77.781167
Syracuse University, USA
43.0379
-76.1365
Patagonia, Argentina
-50.0
-72.0
West Pakistan
30.37532
69.34512
Ruanda-Urundi
-2.51833
29.964
Bakersfield, California, USA
35.373292
-119.018713
Kijabe, Kenya
-0.794722
36.615278
Rhode Island, USA
41.580095
-71.477429
Miami, Florida, USA
25.761681
-80.191788
San Jose, Costa Rica
9.928069
-84.090724
Swaziland
-26.522503
31.465866
Oregon, USA
43.804133
-120.554201
New Hampshire, USA
43.193852
-71.572395
Venezuela
6.42375
-66.58973
Colombia
4.570868
-74.297333
Irian Jaya, Indonesia
-3.4167
136.5333
Vietnam
14.058324
108.277199
Holland
52.132633
5.291266
Pennsylvania, USA
41.203322
-77.194525
Zaire
-4.038333
21.758664
University of Maryland, USA
38.9897
-76.9378
Capitan, New Mexico, USA
33.41595
-105.32128
Cochabamba, Bolivia
-17.389921
-66.156813
Mexico
23.634501
-102.552784
Honduras
15.2
-86.241905
Mwanza, Tanzania
-2.516667
32.9
Florida, USA
27.994402
-81.760254
Papua New Guinea
-6.315
143.95555
Spain
40.463667
-3.74922
New Mexico, USA
34.97273
-105.032363
Tunisia
33.886917
9.537499
China
35.86166
104.195397
North Africa
27.0
17.0
Philippines
12.879721
121.774017
Alabang, Philippines
14.39777
121.04093
Buffalo, USA
42.886449
-78.878372
Banaue, Philippines
16.9271
121.127
Congo
-0.228021
15.827659
Bolivia
-16.290154
-63.588653
France
46.227638
2.213749
North Carolina, USA
35.630066
-79.806419
Arkansas, USA
34.969704
-92.373123
Passaic, New Jersey
40.856766
-74.128039
Virginia, USA
37.431573
-78.656894
Northern Kenya
1.0
37.0
Somaliland
9.411743
44.021669
Accra, Ghana
5.603717
-0.186964
Peru
-9.189967
-75.015152
Pittsburg, USA
40.440624
-79.995888
Georgia, USA
32.165622
-82.900075
California, USA
36.778259
-119.417931
Marseille, France
43.296482
5.36978
Dallas, USA
32.776665
-96.796989
Chicago, USA
41.878113
-87.629799
South Carolina, USA
33.836082
-81.163727
Sada Mayotte
12.8275
45.166244
New York, USA
40.7128
-74.006
Greece
39.074208
21.824312
Democratic Republic of Congo
-4.038333
21.758664
Tanzania
-6.369028
34.888822
Israel
31.046051
34.851612
Guatemala
15.78347
-90.230758
Middle East
29.0
45.0
Turkey
38.963745
35.243322
Metro NYC
40.7128
-74.006
Fukuoka, Japan
33.60639
130.41806
Pakistan
30.37532
69.34512
Africa
9.1021
18.2812
Paterson, New Jersey
40.91677
-74.17181
Ireland
53.1424
-7.6921
UK
54.0
-2.0
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Name
Service Start
Service End
Locations
Name
Service Start
Service End
Locations
Cooke, Judy
1960
1987
Kijabe, Kenya / Zaire Congo
Old, Ken & Marie
1960
W. Pakistan
McDade, David & Ruth
1960
2004
Bakersfield California
Troper, Paul & Ilse
1960
2021
New Jersey
Meyers, Dr Wayne
1960
Ruanda - Urundi
del Aguila, Walter & Beverlee
1963
1984
Peru, Ecuador, Guatemala
Swain, Lee & Esther
1965
1980
Patagonia Argentina
Barnett, John & Elaine
1966
2005+
Kijabe, Kenya
Schuit, Gordon
1967
1971
Florida
Williams, Art & Peggy
1967
2001
New York, NJ
Lindquist, Jim & Louise
1967
Retired
Congo, Part Time 2013
Duffecy, James & Joyce
1968
1983
Grinyer, Ian & Nancy
1969
1973
Dublin, Ireland
Chen, Jenny & Joy
1970
1980
Japan
Craig, David & Susan
1970
1980
Syracuse Univ, NY
Bryson, Ted & Ruth
1971
?
Abbink, Henry & Helene
1971
1986
Albright, Dick & Pat
1971
2005+
Japan, Pennsylvania
Christensen, David
1972
1976
Loeffler, Rev Tony & MaryAnn
1973
Active
Cuba, US
Thiagarajan, Sam & Ruth
1973
2005+
New York
Zambrano, Jorge & Denise
1973
2008
Quito, Ecuador
Miles, Daniel
1973
1982
New York
Oppliger, Scott & Claire
1973
Active
Ohio
Langford, David & Lila
1973
2003
Zaire, NJ
Tucker, Dave & Kathy
1974
2010?
lrian Jaya (Papua),Vietnam
Vander Hoven, John
1975
1978
Holland
Grennell, Michael
1975
1980
Kenya
Smith, Marvin
1976
1977
Kenya
Schuit, Don & Gail
1976
2022
Kenya, Penn
Karsian, Karen
1976
1977
California
Brown, Fred
1977
1982
Haiti
Bakker, Ben & Marian
1977
Active
Columbia, Vene, Oregon
Dein, Walter
1978
1985
Swaziland
Hepburn, Bob
1979
2012
Paterson
Jezequel, Kevin & Roberta
1979
2000
San Jose,Costa Rica, Miami
De Ritter, Ruth
1979
1983
Rexrode, Bruce
1979
1984
Rhode Island
Kato, Yoshito & Hisako
1980
Active
Japan
Sinclair, Jay & Barbara
1980
1989+
Paterson