Our History

from 1986 to the present day, God has provided His blessing on the ministry.

George Derksen’s vision of the WHY AM I ON THIS EARTH? book was inspired by a sermon in 1975 by Pastor H.H. Barber (Calvary Temple, Winnipeg) speaking on the impact of the printed word on society.

1986
The first WHY AM I ON THIS EARTH? book was produced to use as a follow-up for the enquirers at the Pavilion of Promise at Expo ’86.

1987
First WHY Encounter in Winnipeg and area – 130,000 books delivered – churches delivering in their communities and people delivering to their neighbours.

1989
WHY book delivery in Medicine Hat – every home received a book.

1989
Student Mission Advance conference in Hamilton, Ontario – young people from across Canada delivered 10,000 books door-to-door throughout the community during the conference – books also went into the local jail and George Derksen given opportunity to address the inmates.

1991
WHY book delivery in Prince Albert, SK – every home received a book.

1991
WHY book delivery to Sundre and Didsbury, AB.

1992
June – Prayer Rally in Toronto SkyDome with some 28,000 people in attendance. October – WHY book distribution (135,000 books).

1994
Nation-wide Prayer Rally – by satellite. Live and interactive sites – Parliament Hill, Toronto SkyDome, Winnipeg Stadium, Edmonton AgriDome, Vancouver Coliseum. Live receiving sites – Halifax, Montreal, Quebec City, London, Red Deer, Morden, Victoria and more. Estimated 55,000 participants.

1999
WHY book delivery in Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, ON and area.

2001
WHY book delivery in Halifax and area.

2002
WHY USA edition produced.

2003
WHY book delivery in Midwestern Ontario.

2005
WHY book delivery in Greater Vancouver.

2008
WHY book delivery on Vancouver Island.

2009
WHY book delivery Calgary, AB.

2010
WHY book delivery Lethbridge, AB.

2013
WHY book delivery Fort McMurray, AB.

2013
WHY book delivery Edmonton, AB and area.

2015
WHY book delivery Saskatoon, SK and area.

2017
WHY book delivery London, ON and area.

2019
WHY book delivery Winnipeg, MB

2022
WHY book delivery Moose Jaw, parts of Regina and Swift Current, SK