In 1927, Elmer C. Wagler graduated from Moody Bible Institute and moved to Breathitt County, Kentucky and started a Gospel work there. In the years following others joined him to bring the message of salvation to the heavily populated rural areas, mining camps, and town of the Appalachian Mountains. Through this focused outreach and ministry a mission agency was formed named Southern Highland Evangel in 1932, and now after 80 years of service, it is still faithfully ministering the Word of God in Kentucky, West Virginia, and Virginia.