New Jerusalem Missions began in 1994, located in America's heartland (just a few miles north of Wichita, Kansas). Wichita is the largest city in Kansas with over half-a-million people calling it home.

      Penny Dugan (NJM Director) was first acquainted with AIDS when her husband was diagnosed HIV positive in 1987. This led her to a Death & Dying course on the grief process and people affected by AIDS. Penny interviewed a man living with AIDS, the loneliness and isolation he was going through broke her heart. She felt nobody should have to go through something like this alone.

      Penny felt AIDS was misnamed. It should be called AIDLESS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Lacking Emotional Support from Society). Penny felt the Lord saying, "To respond is simple; put yourself in his place, and ask how would you want to be treated if you were sick and dying."

      Between 1987 and 1990, Penny and her three children dealt with the hurts of her husbands choices and the progression of his illness. They divorced because he left for an alternative lifestyle.

      Penny and her children spent three months in DTS with the hope God would call them to Russia or Africa. Instead, they returned home with a vision to work with those infected and affected by AIDS. In 1992, Penny incorporated New Jerusalem Missions.

      Penny helped care for her husband until his death in April 1993. In August of  1993, Penny moved NJM and her family to Kansas. Penny's plans were to start a group home in a small Kansas town. But, due to strong local opposition, she relocated her efforts to Wichita and opened Someplace Else.