This Christian Men’s Bible Study began in 1978 as a Businessmen’s Bible Study. It was a result of the Springfield Executive Ministries outreach Dinner Parties put on by Campus Crusade For Christ.

Executive Ministries began in the early seventies and was founded by Arthur B. DeMoss. Mr. DeMoss received Christ in that time period and wanted a way to share Him with all his Associates. He began to host dinner parties in his home with an evangelistic message. His Associates were invited to the dinner where the speaker would share the impact the gospel had on his life with the guests. There then was an invitation for each person to receive Christ at the end of the message. Comment cards were passed out and each person would signify if they had received Christ, wanted to join a Bible Study, or would like further information on how to have a faith life.

For those who made decisions it was evident that Bible Studies were necessary to help them to know more about their newfound faith. As the studies grew, there was a need to train new leaders and teachers for the people involved. The idea for an outreach dinner party grew into a ministry that spread to several major cities in the United States.

In 1978 Executive Ministries came to Holyoke, MA. It began as vision of a local businessman and owner of the Yankee Pedlar Inn in Holyoke. Frank and Claire Banks hosted the first outreach Dinner Party. The response to the Gospel message was so great that he needed help to follow up the people. Campus Crusade called on a local couple , Sam and Linda Nompleggi, to lead the studies.

The Men’s Study began at the Yankee Pedlar and grew from there. At one time there were three or four outreach dinner parties held per year. Executive Ministries grew and various committees hosted the dinners over the next ten years. Bob and Jeannette Allen, Ed and Elsie Cordis, Roland and Dottie Crevier, Paul and Ginny Dernavich, Paul and Sue Johnson, Mac and Maureen Smith were some of the couples on the committee. At one time there were four Men’s Studies, three Women’s Studies, and several Couples Studies being held as a result of these Outreach Dinner Parties.

The four Men’s Studies were consolidated into a central downtown location at the Y.M.C.A. in 1992. We used this location until December of 2005. A man that had attended an Outreach Dinner Party in the early nineties invited us to relocate to this current location. The impact that the dinner and the following studies had on him and his family has resulted in our move to this current location at Branford Hall. This relocation has resulted in the growth that you see today.

The purpose of the study has not changed over the years. Three scriptures sum up our clear call.

Matthew 28:18-20

All authority in heaven and in earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

2 Tim. 2:15

Study to show yourself approved to God, as a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Tim. 2:2

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful men, who will also be qualified to teach others also.