about us / history
“In this place Jesus will be the
center of attraction, and those who come here will have to make an extra effort
and for no other purpose than to worship Me in spirit and in truth” – Joel
Wright, standing above Rumney in 1900.
This is the vision that permeates the NEF grounds in Rumney, New Hampshire. Started by Joel Wright in the late 1800’s, incorporated in 1897 and finally dedicated August 30th, 1903 at 2:30 in the afternoon. Although the original name, First Fruit Harvesters, has long disappeared, the spirit remains. NEF and its founders were never afraid to try something new, as long as it directed people to Jesus. This is evident through the history and people touched by NEF.
From the beginning NEF saw needs and strived to meet them, all while giving God the glory. The need for communication was felt so The Sheaf of First Fruits was begun in 1902. Even while starting the conference grounds, a home for unwed mothers was begun around 1908.Then a home for abandoned children in 1909 was opened. In 1918, Elwin Wright helped the New Hampshire legislature pass an aid bill to help children. This bill became a pattern for similar bills across the nation. The Bethany home for the aged began in 1922. In 1931, a place was needed for girls to spend the summer hearing God’s word. Camp Cathedral Pines was opened. Boys needed a place to go for the summer and still hear God’s word also. In 1932, Pineridge camp was opened. People needed good books so the first of four bookstores was opened in 1934. In the years of 1934 to 1936, children were gathered all over the northeast in rallies. This allowed the groundwork for today’s Child Evangelism Fellowship.
In the 1930’s, Dr. Wright became burdened for the youth of the day. Park Street Church in Boston shared his concern and together started a series of meetings called “Youth for Christ.” This continued until 1944, when another ministry was born known as Youth For Christ and still ministers today. Meanwhile, back at Rumney, two little known speakers were ministering to youth during the summers of 1943 and 1944. The two men were Jack Wyrtzen and Billy Graham.
In the late 30’s and early 40’s, there was a need for a national organization for evangelicals in America. As Dr. Wright traveled to promote NEF and the radio ministry that was growing, he was called on again for his insight and vision. From NEF and other godly ministries across the nation, the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) was born. A few years later, these same men wanted this presence felt across the world so the World Evangelical Fellowship (WEF) was established.
Seeing the need for biblical education, in 1946 Dr. Wright and the NEF board started Boston Christian School and established the New England Association of Christian Schools. This predated any national Christian school association by thirty years. Today, Boston Christian School is still growing and is known as Lexington Christian Academy, in Lexington, Massachusetts.
In 1957, Tal McNutt found a permanent campus for Happy T Ranch on Stinson Lake, New Hampshire. This residential camp still ministers to over 800 kids every summer.
In the early 1980’s, NEF began Boston Youth Time. Meeting in several different locations, NEF hosted large youth events. Artists like GLAD and Steve Green were invited to perform.
First Fruit Harvesters and New England Fellowship of Evangelicals has been host to many men and women of God, both as speakers and as guests. Some of the more famous, at least on earth; Billy Graham, Jack Wyrtzen, Francis and Edith Schaeffer, Harry Ironside, Vance Havner, Bob Jones, Gleason Archer, J. Oliver Buswell, A.T.Robertson, Merrill C. Tenney, Joel Wright, Elwin Wright, Elizabeth Evans, Tal McNutt, Frank and Fran Accardy, Grafton Harpell, Harold Ockenga, Will Houghton, Charles Fuller, Cliff Barrows, John MacArthur, and Charles Stanley.
From the 90’s into the new century, NEF has been going through change. Three directors later, the ministry continues to grow planted in the deep spiritual past.
Today, NEF has diverse ministries that continue to grow. White Mountain Camps includes three different facets; White Mountain Ranch (formerly Happy T), White Mountain Snow Camp (WinterBlast), and White Mountain Soccer Camp. Another ministry of NEF is the White Mountain Retreat Center which now facilitates weekend and week long retreats for youth and adults almost year round. A third ministry is the summer conferences held on the main grounds of NEF. As we look to the future, pulpit supply to local churches and short-term missions is a few of the developing ministries as we look outside our gate.
There is a rich spiritual heritage at NEF, but the heartbeat of ministry is summed up in the words of Augustine, “Unity in essentials, liberty in non-essentials, and charity in all.”
