Sacred Literature Ministries was organized in 1971, but its roots go back to 1958. Back then, SLM founder Matt Diachenko was working with Child Evangelism Fellowship, an organization dedicated first to reaching children for Christ through Bible clubs, children’s rallies, and other special events. Secondly, CEF sought to prepare workers through teacher training classes. The training involved presenting lessons in a highly visualized way, using visuals that were inexpensive and easy to make. Workshops were organized to prepare those materials, but soon it became clear that printed instructions and patterns would be a great help to provide guidelines that the teachers could take home from those sessions.

Isaiah 52:7 says, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!" The Lord used this verse to lead Matt Diachenko to provide printed instructions and hints for children’s workers. He began to ask for an exchange of ideas from the teachers in his Child Evangelism Fellowship areas, and they responded so that their ideas could minister in print to others. From this exchange of ideas, Teachers’ Swap Shop was born - a simple idea paper - done on mimeograph, and mailed to the teachers.

That was over four decades ago, and since those early beginnings, Teachers’ Swap Shop has continued to be a help and encouragement in children’s ministries. Though the appearance has changed over the years, the simple, easy-to-use teaching tips remain to this day, and Teachers’ Swap Shop is still supported by the readers on a donation basis. Sacred Literature Ministries was organized in 1971 to continue and expand the ministry of Teachers’ Swap Shop on a full time basis.