In April, 1961, The Christadelphian magazine carried this news item:
Perhaps the most significant news out of New England for 1960 and for many previous years, is the formation of a joint committee by the ecclesias here, named A.S.K. for the Advancement of Scripture Knowledge. The purpose of this committee is to expand the work of the ecclesias here into all of New England. … We hope that others will be encouraged by the formation of this group to press their efforts into the great voids of the U.S.A.’
The ASK name was quickly embraced by the brotherhood, and it came to be associated with a wide range of preaching initiatives, and additional “ASK Committees” appeared in several parts of North America. Some of the committees remain active and continue to carry out major preaching efforts in their respective areas.
While the ASK movement has not filled much of the ecclesial voids of New England or anywhere else in the past 50 years, it has produced some lasting results and it has fired much enthusiasm for preaching. The latter has been one of its strong points. One brother’ put his finger on a vital reason for ASK’s success: The emphasis is in personal preaching, co-operation between workers in all stages of the scheme and the contagious enthusiasm of each individual.’
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One