The story begins back when God planted the idea of a camp within the hearts and minds of two men. One was a young preacher - the other a farmer who was very dedicated to the Lord. Once that seed was planted, He arranged that these two should meet during the summer of 1943. "The preacher, feeling the need of a camp in nearby southeastern Iowa where young people might spend a short summer vacation in a wholesome Christian atmosphere and under competent spiritual leadership, approached the farmer and found in him a man who, because of a similar vision, had already bought a 40 acre tract of land which was dedicated to the Lord for this very purpose." Can you imagine their joy when they discovered each other and how the Lord was preparing the way?

That fall, a group of pastors and laymen who also had a burden for the Lord's work among children and youth, came from the communities of Deep River, North English, Marengo, Tama, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Shellsburg, Columbus Junction, Sigourney and Sully and prayer meetings were held to seek God's direction, His timing, and provision. As a result, East Iowa Bible Conference was born as an interdenominational Bible camp where souls would be won to Christ, saints would be edified, and campers encouraged to dedicate their lives for Christian service. The preacher, Rev. Darrel Rhodes, was elected its first President and the farmer, Mr. Alfred Wyant, became its Vice-President. Others chosen on the Executive Committee were Mr. E. Lester Elam, Secretary and Rev. F. P. Pickets, Treasurer. The God-inspired vision was now beginning to become reality.

It was found that the tract of land dedicated for a Bible camp was not suitable, inasmuch as it was a flat cornfield. However, the leading of the Lord was very evident in the acquisition of a beautifully wooded tract of Virgil Grimm's located in the rolling hills of Iowa county on the Diamond Trail between Deep River and Millersburg, Iowa.

Faith rose to conquer fears when the scarcity of certain vital materials and the limited time of the volunteer workers caused discouraging difficulties, but God provided. A large abandoned building was purchased in a nearby town, torn down and the material was used in the building of the camp. Shingles were next to impossible to obtain during the War; however, a lumberyard manager at Montezuma found a supply that he agreed to sell to the camp. The work needed to be done that winter and "in spite of the ridicule of some doubters, warm weather was experienced just long enough to successfully lay the foundation of the main tabernacle building. The men worked diligently, and the miracle-working hand of God was clearly evident in the record mild winter He gave that year. God continued to provide in marvelous ways, "sometimes doing that which even astounded the most faithful and ardent workers in the camp and also sending his guardian angels to protect". A charge of dynamite was set to blast a hole for the basement of the chapel. The men waited and waited and then waited some more, but it didn't go off. They had just left their place of safety and taken a couple steps toward it when the charge went off. A few minutes and steps more and it could have been a tragic story.