Light-for-the-Lost began in January of 1953 with a burden and a vision given by God to Sam Cochran, an insurance consultant, who was a member of the First Assembly of God church in Santa Ana, California.  After giving considerable thought to what God was impressing him to do, he shared his burden with several other men from the local church.  His desire was to place the gospel of Christ in printed form into the hands of people in other countries who had not heard of Christ.  The men mutually agreed to help him fulfill this vision by making monthly contributions to a mutual fund.

A local male quartet was organized in the musical program of the First Assembly of God church.  The quartet became well known in the Southern California District and soon invitations were coming from many pastors for the quartet to participate in their services.  After several invitations, the quartet decided to participate in other church services with the understanding that an offering be received to help provide gospel literature for the project which all of the members were a part of--that being, to spread the gospel in printed form in other countries.

The quartet decided to pay whatever expenses were involved for travel, etc., themselves, so that every cent received from the churches and individuals could be used to provide literature in other countries.  This was the principle upon which the program has developed ever since.  All offerings received have always been used for gospel literature--expense monies needed being provided by the men involved in promoting and developing the program.

The project developed rapidly and in late 1953 it was decided to incorporate as a non profit corporation in the state of California so that receipts could be given for income tax credit to those who contributed to provide expense finances.  Each member contributed $15 per month and served on the board of directors for the corporation named the Missionary Gospel Society (MGS) of the Assemblies of God, Inc.

After six years of operations in the name of the above corporation, the program expanded so rapidly and interest mushroomed so quickly that the Executive Presbytery of the General Council of the Assemblies of God requested the Missionary Gospel Society to consider making their program the national missionary program for all Assemblies of God men.  Action was taken by both parties and the merger of the MGS with the General Council was completed with the Executive Presbytery as the new board of directors.  All equipment owned was turned over to the Assemblies of God to be used in furthering the promotions of the project.  It was at this time, 1959, that the program became known as Light-for-the-Lost.

The program of Light-for-the-Lost continued to expand from district to district with local laymen boards being organized within each district to underwrite and assist in promoting the project.  In 1963, a decision was made to nationalize the operations of Light-for-the-Lost, making all members of boards voting members on a national body to give administrative and budget guidance to the program.  All local committees became members of the one national body.  All expense contributions were made to one operational expense account in Springfield.  This decision greatly accelerated the growth of the program.  The membership of the National Council of Light-for-the-Lost has grown to over five thousand men.