About

A meeting is held at Beverly Christian Reformed Church in Wyoming, Michigan, in response to the YCF (Young Calvinist Federation) board’s decision for a girl’s club movement and committee appointment. Calvinettes is suggested as the name.

Barb Vredevoogd is appointed as the first part-time Director of Calvinettes. Barb wrote curriculum at her kitchen table for six girls in her church, which became the first lessons.

The first magazine is released. The publication is named Touch which suggests contact; by touching we are aware of others. Suggests that girls, counselors, and the Global Office keep in touch by sharing ideas, plans, and suggestions. In July, the first Calvinette Counselors’ Convention is held in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Micah 6:8 is adopted as Calvinettes’ verse and aim and “Jesus Is All the World to Me” is adopted as the song.

GEMS Girls’ Clubs chosen as the new name of the ministry. This was done in an effort to better convey our mission and vision – helping bring girls everywhere into a living, dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ.

A team goes to Zambia, Africa, to build The House that GEMS Built for orphans. Training for Zambian women to be GEMS counselors also takes place. Four new clubs are started in Zambia, Africa.

GEMS celebrates its 60th birthday. GEMS ReFresh launches as a new, online training program for counselors. GEMS is active in 17 countries, and Dr. Munyiva Kitavi, GEMS Regional Training Manager, is starting clubs throughout Kenya.