How did the SVM mobilize thousands?

…it came out of Christian Endeavor.

…which in turn came out of the efforts of praying mothers.

The simple fact is that after the Civil War in America there weren’t enough men to do all the things that men had traditionally done. So the women took over much of the effort. They took over running businesses… they took significant roles in churches… and they began raising up missionary kids.

The first chapter of Christian Endeavor came out of the original Mizpah Circles. These were youth groups led by women. (“A girls missionary band the Mizpah Circle had been conducted by the earnest wife of the pastor and so when it seemed necessary to introduce new methods in order to set to the enthusiastic young converts made the revival the soil was all ready for the planting…”, original story)

Christian Endeavor was organized in local chapters led by young people. (It still is today.)

The SVM rode on top of these local chapters. The CE chapters provided the infrastructure.

So, perhaps, if you want to organize and mobilize new workers… it is time to follow a similar pattern today. Praying mothers, and young people organizing mission mobilization groups.

But, note too:

In the afternoon some forty girls and boys, with a few
young ladies, gathered for the usual meeting of the Mizpah
Circle, and after tea were joined by their older brothers and
sisters. Conspicuous among the older ones were Mr. W. H.
Pennell and his fine Sunday-school class of young men. After
a little general conversation as to the importance of starting
right, of working for the church, and of showing one’s colors
for Christ on all occasions, the pastor with a good deal of hesi-
tation produced a constitution whiose germs had lain in his
mind for a long while, but which he had written out for the
first time that day.

He was afraid that its strenuous covenant would not com-
mend it to the young people, that they would be afraid of its
strictly religious character, that they would not find enough
of the oyster-supper and “pink-tea” element in it to win their
approval ; but ever since his weak faith and lack of knowledge
of young hearts have been rebuked by their acceptance of this
constitution and by the loyal adhesion to it of millions of like-
minded youth.

From the history of Christian Endeavor

Perhaps we are not challenging our young people strongly enough?