Youth caravans

In 1939 Bishop Paul B. Kern initiated a program called the Youth Crusade Caravan for summer ministry. Selected Methodist young people were trained, then divided into teams consisting of four youth and a counselor. These teams were sent to Methodist church districts across the country. We helped local churches any way we could. We led youth groups, led worship services, visited with the minister in nursing homes and hospitals.

Over 6,000 youth were involved in this program during the 1940s and 1950s. One source said this program produced more ministers and missionaries for the Methodist church than any other program, before or since.