75th Anniversary - Every Home Crusade Commences

In 1960 Ernie and Kathleen Allen decided to commence an evangelistic outreach programme in Northern Ireland, with the aim of reaching every home with a piece of Gospel literature. They had heard from Oswald J. Smith about “Every Home Crusade” being conducted in other countries. The first county to be targeted was Co Fermanagh where a group of Christians joined Ernie in visiting each home in the towns and villages with a Gospel leaflet.

After Co Fermanagh, attention turned to Co Tyrone and then Co Londonderry. Up until this time most of the printing had been done at the Outlook Press in Rathfriland. However, in 1964 Ernie purchased a small printing machine, a Multilith 1250, and this was installed in the front room of the Allen home in Oakland Avenue.

Two years later, due to the kindness of Mr David Ferran, Ernie was able to purchase premises at 285 Newtownards Road. This building was formerly a shop and a team of volunteer workers helped to renovate the building to provide a reception area, an office, a store room and a dispatch room.

With the visitation programme to reach homes throughout Northern Ireland well underway, Every Home Crusade began to reach out to the rest of the British Isles. However, Ernie was not content to stop there. He realised that there were millions around the globe who had never heard nor read the Gospel message. As he prayed, the Lord answered in an amazing way.

In 1965 Miss Pixie Caldwell returned on furlough from missionary service in Nigeria. After the death of her father she was going through his papers and came across a tract from Every Home Crusade. Pixie wrote to Mr Allen about the need for literature in Nigeria. He replied saying that he had been looking for an open door into Africa. Through that open door hundreds of thousands of Scripture tracts, booklets, leaflets and Gospels have entered Nigeria since 1965. Initially all the tracts were in English but later literature was provided in the Hausa and Fulfulde languages.

After Nigeria letters began to come in from Ghana, Uganda, Liberia and many other countries. The Lord, who had been the instigator of this ministry, was present at every stage and His leading and timing were perfect.