Since the first Tenrikyo missionary first arrived on the shores of North America in the late 19th century to spread the Tenrikyo teachings, many young men have stood at the forefront of the endeavor to become instruments of God the Parent’s desire to save all humankind.

With the mantra of being “pioneers of the Path,” they engaged in all manners of activities to not only spread the teachings, but to become a part of the places that their efforts took them. Not long after the official sanction of the Overseas Mission Headquarters in America in 1934, the Tenrikyo Young Men’s Association of North America was given its sanctioning on February 26, 1936 with the first Bishop of the Overseas Mission Headquarters in America Rev. Toyohiko Tsuji as the first head.

Through a great many difficulties that the early followers faced such as the cultural and linguistic differences and even the struggles during World War II, the Young Men’s Association of North America was able to continue to provide the support, energy and zeal that people of that time relied upon to continue their faith.

The goal of constructing the world of the Joyous Life, as taught to us by God the Parent, is the goal of all people that follow this Path and coupled with this goal, the member’s of the Young Men’s Association of North America strive to be the “materials” to make that “construction” possible.