In 1908 the then Northern Baptist Convention realized the underdeveloped potential of laymen and began to emphasize lay activities. In 1917, ten years after the founding of the Convention, there was a spontaneous movement among Baptist Laymen to meet a temporary but serious finanacial emergency within the denomination, due to World War I. This resulted in five years of effective service on behalf of the New World Movement. As a result of this experience, the convention requested the formation of a permanent laymen's organization. On January 20, 1922, approximately fifty laymen representing twenty-three states, together with six representatives of convention boards and societies, met in Chicago and formed the National Council of Northern Baptist Laymen. The name was changed a few times, but became known as American Baptist Men. from Why a Men's Fellowship pamphlet, no date, from collection



ABMen USA is a faith based not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing resources and support to men throughout the American Baptist USA denomination and beyond. MISSION STATEMENT of ABMen USA: To bring men and boys into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. VISION STATEMENT of ABMen USA: To enable men and boys to strengthen their relationship with Jesus Christ so they will become biblical men for mission and outreach. Accessed 28 January 2019 from http://abmen.org/