Theo and Manie Ferguson were the founders of the Peniel Mission. Non-denominational and nonsectarian, they founded the mission in Los Angeles in 1894 with a significant donation from former English cricketer George Studd. They invited former Methodist presiding elder Dr Phineas Bresee to join them. The original mission was a 900 seat auditorium and ministry center at 227 South Main Street, Los Angeles. On Sunday 21 October 1894, Peniel Hall was dedicated. Bresee preached from the text, "And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." The Peniel Herald, the mission's official newspaper, announced, "Our first work is to try to reach the unchurched. The people from the homes and the street where the light from the churches does not reach, or penetrates but little. Especially to gather the poor to the cross, by bringing to bear upon them Christian sympathy and helpfulness.... It is also our work to preach and teach the gospel of full salvation; to show forth the blessed privilege of believers in Jesus Christ, to be made holy and thus perfect in love."

The Fergusons believed that the Peniel Mission should focus on the "down and outer" and remain non-denominational. Over 30 Peniel Missions in the Western US were formed.

The Azusa Street Pentecostal Revival of April 1906 in Los Angeles all but ended the Los Angeles Peniel Mission. The pentecostals spoke in tongues, and many defected from Peniel Hall for this higher form of worship. Two Peniel members, Jennie Moore and Ruth Asberry, came from the revival and went to the Peniel Mission where spoke in tongues. This resulted in nearly the entire congregation of the Peniel Mission following them to the Azusa Street Mission. "Most of the churches, mission and tent meetings in the area were effected immediately. Some lost so many people to the Azusa Street Mission that they closed."

Theo and Manie Ferguson were the founders of the Peniel Mission. Non-denominational and nonsectarian, they founded the mission in Los Angeles in 1894 with a significant donation from former English cricketer George Studd. They invited former Methodist presiding elder Dr Phineas Bresee to join them. The original mission was a 900 seat auditorium and ministry center at 227 South Main Street, Los Angeles. On Sunday 21 October 1894, Peniel Hall was dedicated. Bresee preached from the text, "And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." The Peniel Herald, the mission's official newspaper, announced, "Our first work is to try to reach the unchurched. The people from the homes and the street where the light from the churches does not reach, or penetrates but little. Especially to gather the poor to the cross, by bringing to bear upon them Christian sympathy and helpfulness.... It is also our work to preach and teach the gospel of full salvation; to show forth the blessed privilege of believers in Jesus Christ, to be made holy and thus perfect in love."

The Fergusons believed that the Peniel Mission should focus on the "down and outer" and remain non-denominational. Over 30 Peniel Missions in the Western US were formed.

The Azusa Street Pentecostal Revival of April 1906 in Los Angeles all but ended the Los Angeles Peniel Mission. The pentecostals spoke in tongues, and many defected from Peniel Hall for this higher form of worship. Two Peniel members, Jennie Moore and Ruth Asberry, came from the revival and went to the Peniel Mission where spoke in tongues. This resulted in nearly the entire congregation of the Peniel Mission following them to the Azusa Street Mission. "Most of the churches, mission and tent meetings in the area were effected immediately. Some lost so many people to the Azusa Street Mission that they closed."