Our History
1930s
- Mrs. Helen D. Baugh, homemaker in San Jose, California, initiated an extensive prayer ministry focused on the spiritual needs of America. Twenty-four prayer groups asked God for “new avenues” by which to share God’s love with others. God answered the following year when He led Mrs. Baugh to develop the first Stonecroft outreach.
- 1938
Mrs. Baugh established the Christian Business Women’s Council of America (later known as Christian Business & Professional Women) in San Jose as a dinner program that provided an opportunity to present the Gospel to career women. The group adopted a project of Youth Home Missions to send and support young women as itinerant missionaries to rural America. Youth Home Missions later became Rural Missions.
1940s
- 1948
God called Miss Mary E. Clark, former businesswoman and missionary in Maine, to join Mrs. Baugh and assist in leading the rapidly growing organization. - 1949
Village (Rural) Missions was established as a separate organization in response to the need for more permanent leadership in rural churches. Rev. Walter Duff, brother of Mrs. Baugh, became the National Director and served until 1991. - 1949
Christian Women’s Clubs were introduced as an outreach to homemakers. The first groups were established in Hartford, Connecticut, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
1950s
- 1951
Progress magazine became the official publication. - 1952
The ministry purchased a property known as Stonecroft in Kansas City, Missouri, to serve as the national Home Office location. - 1958
The Stonecroft Book and Supply Center (known as Stonecroft Resource Center) was incorporated as a distributor of carefully selected Christian books for all ages.
1960s
- 1962
The Life Eternally Yours booklet was published as the first Stonecroft Life Publication. - 1964
The first Business and Professional Couples’ Club (now known as Stonecroft Couples’ Connection) was established in St. Louis, Missouri. - 1966
International Expansion: Christian Business & Professional Women and Christian Women’s Clubs were introduced in Canada in Toronto, Ontario. The first Christian Women’s Club outside North America met in Seoul, Korea. - 1967
After 5s were introduced under the sponsorship of Christian Business & Professional Women. - 1968
Friendship Bible Coffees, (now known as Stonecroft Bible Studies) written by Lucille F. Sollenberger, were introduced as an outreach program of small group Bible studies.
1980s
- 1981
The Stonecroft Conference Center, located near Branson, Missouri, was established to provide “a vacation with a purpose” for people of all ages. - 1984
The Christian Business & Professional Women introduced a condensed one-hour luncheon format as an outreach to women in the marketplace. - 1989
Mrs. Baugh became Chairman Emeritus of the Christian Business & Professional Women of America. Miss Ruth Peachey was appointed as the new National Chairman of the Board of Directors.
1990s
- 1996
On February 7, 1996, Mrs. Helen Duff Baugh, founder of Stonecroft Ministries, went home to be with the Lord. - 1997
Miss Joyce Courtney was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Stonecroft Ministries.
2000s
- 2002
On March 9, 2002, Miss Mary E. Clark, first National Chairman of Christian Women’s Clubs of America, went home to be with the Lord. - 2004
Geneva Vollrath was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Stonecroft Ministries following Joyce Courtney’s retirement. - 2005
The Stonecroft Conference Center discontinued operation. - 2006
Friendship Bible Coffees were renamed Stonecroft Bible Studies. - 2007
The Baugh Center for Evangelism (formerly the Morningside apartment building) was completed; the Manor was renovated to be used as a guest facility for friends of the ministry.