Started as a male quartet involved in the Radio ministry, Moments of Blessing, of the Virgil Mennonite Brethren Church. John Block, Menno Kroeker, Rudy Voth and Peter Block sang together for fifteen years (1952-1967). A number of other men joined and sang for a period after 1967. Gospel Messengers was incorporated in 1964. In 1967 the Messengers entered full-time ministry, travelling across North America, conducting crusades, and singing in churches. They were commonly known as "The Messengers Quartet" or "The Messengers" when they teamed up with various evangelists. In 1969, Rudy Boschman joined the team as the speaker, and for the next five years the Messengers were sponsored by the Canadian Mennonite Brethren Conference, conducting evangelistic campaigns in many communities. In 1971, the Messengers began an association with Global Outreach, a world-wide missionary organization, for the purpose of the administration of its mailings required to raise financial support and to facilitate its bookings. In 1980, the Messengers merged with Global as one of its many missionary groups. John Block served as a singer in the quartet for 30 years (1952-1981) and served as executive-secretary of Global Outreach (Canadian Office) in St. Catharines.
