The Baptist General Conference grew out of the great revival of the 19th century, but its roots can be traced back to Radical Pietism in Sweden.

Forty-seven days after his arrival, he and three others organized a Swedish Baptist church in Rock Island, Illinois.

Nilsson, who was instrumental in leading Palmquist to Baptist views, arrived in America the next year with 21 immigrants.

John Alexis Edgren founded the Swedish Baptist Seminary (now Bethel University) in Chicago, Illinois in 1871.

Some Swedish Baptists expected to merge with that body, but the groups moved toward different developments of theological emphasis.

[1] From its beginning among Scandinavian immigrants, the BGC has grown to a nationwide association of autonomous churches with at least 17 ethnic groups and missions in 35 nations.