In the early 1940’s, a group of Mennonite churches in Lancaster, Pennsylvania began to feel a burden for the unsaved, particularly those in areas where there was little Gospel witness.  There was already a growing movement of overseas missions work being done but some felt that we should not neglect those within our borders.  So Lancaster Mennonite Conference put together what was called an Itinerant Evangelism Committee. Starting in 1943, and for the next 20 years or so, teams of persons mostly from northern Mennonite communities gave a portion of their summers to Bible School outreaches in the South.  A tent would be set up wherever permission was given.  Bible classes were held for children during the day and “revival” meetings were open to the parents and surrounding community each evening.  Generally these outreaches were in rural areas. In some of these locations, after coming back for several years in a row, small groups of believers formed and churches were started.  Early pioneers moved to the South to “make disciples.”  They did not come to buy land, form isolated communities, pursue idealism, or protect traditions.  They came because of the Gospel!

     Our forefathers were not as interested in campaigning or preaching as they were to have people believe in and follow after Jesus.  They shared their very lives with the people they settled among.  They baptized believers and brought them into relationship with the body of Christ.  They were careful to teach obedience to the Scriptures.  They did none of this perfectly, but they they did it with passion and purity of heart.  The first church to be planted was in East Brewton, AL.  Others followed in surrounding communities including Bethel, Appleton, Atmore, Crestview, and so on. Later, the larger Mennonite Church began calling young adults to more urban areas to serve for a year or two in voluntary service.  Churches were also born in these contexts as connections were made and people professed faith in Christ.  This was true for Mobile and Birmingham, AL.

     Around 1970, Edgar Denlinger wrote a booklet titled “The Mennonite Church of Alabama and Northwest Florida.  At that time there were about a dozen churches in the Gulf Coast region.  Edgar challenged readers with this statement: “May every congregation be a base for itinerant outreach of the Gospel (“itinerant” meaning traveling from place to place)… May there be constant outreach to regions beyond.”

     In 1987 Paul Dagen released another booklet to celebrate 45 years of mission work in the South.  It was titled “Seedtime and Harvest.”  The book documented a number of new initiatives that had been birthed from this small but growing network of churches .  These included voluntary service centers in Mobile, Birmingham, Montgomery, and Alberta.  A prison ministry, Bible institute, youth camp were started as well. Paul, with a prophetic tone, wrote to those who would follow: “My prayer is that the “now generation” will learn from their forefathers as they attempt to expand the Kingdom of God here in the Southland.  New models and structures will need to be provided for the sowing of the Seed of the Word of God.  But God has promised us that He will bless those who faithfully proclaim through deed and word the message of His love to a dying world.”

     In 2000, Lancaster Mennonite Conference, upon request, “released” the 14 churches in the South to form a new network called Good News Fellowship.  This action would empower this small group of churches to form its own identity and work more effectively towards a shared common mission.  Geographically, churches would be able to interact with each other for fellowship and accountability.  JD Landis and Steve Longenecker gave leadership to this newly formed network.

     Today, GNF consists of approximately 35 churches in AL, FL, GA, MS, and LA.  Churches are grouped in regions and served by a Primary Leader.  GNF’s stated purpose is to empower and network leaders and churches for Jesus-centered ministry.  This will be fueled by leadership learning environments, mission-driven partnerships, and relational accountability.

     GNF has always been about movement… always trying to think of new ways to bring the Gospel to both neighbors and to those in far away places.  Early pioneers were willing to leave all behind for the sake of the Gospel.  Our prayer is that a new generation of radical, mission minded, Gospel-saturated persons will be birthed out of our midst –  men and women who are passionate about the cause of Christ, burdened for those who do not yet know him, and willing to give their lives in whatever way would be beneficial to the advancement of the Kingdom of God.