Our History

The First Club

Over fifty years ago, God directed one woman to begin a ministry for girls. She wrote lessons for the girls in her church. So GEMS Girls’ Clubs began in January of 1958 in the city of Zeeland, Michigan, USA. GEMS grew from there, with clubs starting across the United States and Canada.

Going International

In 2005, GEMS Girls’ Clubs was introduced in Zambia, Africa. While clubs had been started in other countries, this was the first real initiative GEMS took to adapt materials and start clubs abroad.

What began as a specific call to action grew rapidly to include projects beyond the ministry’s expectations. So, in 2011, GEMS International was born.

The International Curriculum is in response to our mission and vision to see girls everywhere living in a dynamic relationship with their Saviour.

Through the Years

GEMS now has over 900 clubs, 24,000 girls, and 5,400 women involved in our worldwide ministry. The ministry is non-denominational and has clubs in many different churches and settings. Clubs also exist in Christian schools as after-school programmes and in Christian home-school associations.

God has blessed GEMS, and He uses the ministry to touch the lives of thousands of girls and women each year. We are grateful for God’s work across continents through GEMS International and look forward to the future—excited about where He will lead the ministry.