TEL International’s journey began with its founders, Elgin and Dorothy Taylor, who devoted 55 years to foreign missionary service. From 1959 to 1982, the Taylors traveled the world, starting in Okinawa, Japan, where they became the first African-American missionaries to the Orient. Elgin Taylor pastored a bilingual Japanese/American church, taught English as a second language at the University of the Ryukus, and worked alongside Dorothy at the Okinawa Christian School, where she was one of the founding teachers. In 1964, the Taylors were transferred to Nigeria, West Africa, but due to the Biafra crisis, they were evacuated to London, England. They remained there for the next fifteen years, during which time Elgin founded a cross-cultural church, established a Missionary Bible College, and set up a regional mission’s headquarters in Europe. Elgin supervised Christian in Action (CinA) missionaries serving in Europe, Africa, South China, and India.

In 1980, the Taylors returned to the United States, where they worked at the US Center for World Missions in Pasadena, CA, under Dr. Ralph Winters. In 1982, Elgin was unanimously elected president of CinA, where he oversaw more than 450 missionaries and national leaders. Under his leadership, the ministry expanded into 23 countries. After serving for 20 years, Elgin resigned in November 2002 due to health reasons. Following a brief but well-deserved retirement, Elgin and Dorothy founded TEL International in August 2008. Since its inception, the ministry has expanded to 35 countries. Today, TEL International continues to carry out its mission, following the example set by Elgin and Dorothy Taylor.