Back in New Castle, Sankey developed a local reputation as a singer, much in demand in churches and revival meetings.
In 1867, when a local branch of YMCA was formed, Sankey became its secretary and later its president.
 As president, in 1870 he was a delegate at a national conference held in Indianapolis, where he encountered the noted preacher Dwight L. Moody for the first time.
Moody was instantly impressed as Sankey demonstrated his ability to enliven an audience rendered soporific by inactivity and overlong prayers by giving an impromptu rendering of the hymn "There is a fountain filled with blood".
Meeting Sankey at the end of the session, Moody demanded that the young man join him in his mission work: "I have been looking for you for the last eight years".
Unable to decide on the spur of the moment, Sankey returned to New Castle and pondered Moody's challenge for six months before deciding to return to Chicago for a week's trial with Moody.
Before the week was up he resigned his government post and threw in his lot with Moody's mission, thus beginning their lifelong partnership.

Within the Moody–Sankey mission, Moody preached and Sankey sang.
Late in 1871, mission work was interrupted by the Great Chicago Fire, which destroyed 18,000 buildings, killed around 300 people  and left a third of the city's population homeless.
Sankey watched the conflagration from a small boat in which he rowed out into Lake Michigan.
 The fire destroyed Moody's church, and Sankey returned temporarily to New Castle.
 However, he soon received a message from Moody asking him to come back to Chicago and resume the partnership.
He did so, and worked with Moody in the revival of churches in Chicago, Springfield and elsewhere.
In October 1872 Sankey moved his family permanently to Chicago.
Back in New Castle, Sankey developed a local reputation as a singer, much in demand in churches and revival meetings. In 1867, when a local branch of YMCA was formed, Sankey became its secretary and later its president.  As president, in 1870 he was a delegate at a national conference held in Indianapolis, where he encountered the noted preacher Dwight L. Moody for the first time. Moody was instantly impressed as Sankey demonstrated his ability to enliven an audience rendered soporific by inactivity and overlong prayers by giving an impromptu rendering of the hymn "There is a fountain filled with blood". Meeting Sankey at the end of the session, Moody demanded that the young man join him in his mission work: "I have been looking for you for the last eight years". Unable to decide on the spur of the moment, Sankey returned to New Castle and pondered Moody's challenge for six months before deciding to return to Chicago for a week's trial with Moody. Before the week was up he resigned his government post and threw in his lot with Moody's mission, thus beginning their lifelong partnership.
Within the Moody–Sankey mission, Moody preached and Sankey sang. Late in 1871, mission work was interrupted by the Great Chicago Fire, which destroyed 18,000 buildings, killed around 300 people  and left a third of the city's population homeless. Sankey watched the conflagration from a small boat in which he rowed out into Lake Michigan.  The fire destroyed Moody's church, and Sankey returned temporarily to New Castle.  However, he soon received a message from Moody asking him to come back to Chicago and resume the partnership. He did so, and worked with Moody in the revival of churches in Chicago, Springfield and elsewhere. In October 1872 Sankey moved his family permanently to Chicago.
Ira D. Sankey