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Collection 607 Oral History Interviews with Herbert and Frieda Atkinson

 Collection
Identifier: CN 607

Scope and Contents

Oral History Interviews with Dr. Herbert Andrew Atkinson (1931-2009) and his wife, Frieda Elizabeth (Paul) Atkinson (1930- ), missionaries with Africa Inland Mission (AIM) in the Belgian Congo. Dr. Atkinson discusses his family background, conversion, Wheaton College, influence of his roommate Bill Kornfield and Dr. V. Raymond Edman, God's provision for his entering medical school, ministry in Oicha, obstacles in communication with the Congolese, lessons learned on the mission field. Frieda Atkinson describes her childhood and parents ministry in Africa, her call to medical missions, raising children on the mission field, village evangelistic work, Sunday school and church services, relationships with Congolese Christians, ministry with children and women in Michigan, the faithfulness of God. The time period covered by the interviews is 1930 to 1988.

Herbert Andrew Atkinson was interviewed by Lawrence Wesley Fountain on November 19, 1988 at the Atkinson's home in Stevensville, Michigan.

Dates

  • Created: 1988

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on the use of this collection.

Biographical Information

Full Name: Herbert Andrew Atkinson

Birth: May 27, 1931, Miles City, Montana

Family:

Parents: Henry Sheperd and Lilian (Hoagland) Atkinson

Siblings: An older sister

Marital Status: Married Frieda Elizabeth Paul, June 18, 1954, Wheaton, Illinois

Children: David Henry, Daniel Paul, Ruth Lillian, Esther Elizabeth

Conversion: At the age of 9 at home with the help of his mother

Education:

1948-1952 - Wheaton College (BS degree), Wheaton, Illinois

1952-1956 - University of Illinois Medical School, Chicago, Illinois (BS & MD degrees)

1957-1958 - Baptist Bible Seminary, Johnson City, New York (now at Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania

Career:

1956-1957 - Decatur & Macon County Hospital, Decatur, Illinois (Internship)

1959 - Commissioned by Hydewood Park Baptist Church, North Plainfield, New Jersey for missionary work with AIM

1959-1964 - 1st term. Medical missionary with AIM in Oicha, Belgian Congo (now Democratic Republic of Congo).

1966-1969 - 2nd term. Medical missionary in Nyankunde, Congo

1970-1973 - 3rd term. Medical missionary in Nyankunde, Congo

Other Significant Information:

Herbert's father was a pastor who died when Herbert was three years old

Full Name: Frieda Elizabeth (Paul) Atkinson

Birth: January 28, 1930, Aba mission station in the Belgian Congo (now Democratic Republic of Congo)

Family:

Parents: Samuel Austin Horn and Elizabeth J.A. (Riemann) Paul, Jr.

Siblings: Older brother Harold and three younger siblings, Miriam, Victor, James

Marital Status: Married Herbert Andrew Atkinson, June 18, 1954, Wheaton, Illinois

Children: David Henry, Daniel Paul, Ruth Lillian, Esther Elizabeth

Conversion: At the age of 4? at home with the help of her mother after hearing a sermon by her father

Education:

1944-1946 - Rethy Academy

1946-1948 - Westervelt High School

1948-1950 - Columbia Bible College, Columbia, South Carolina

1950-1954 - Presbyterian School of Nursing, Chicago, Illinois (RN degree)

Career:

1953-1956 - Presbyterian Hospital, Chicago, Illinois (professional nursing)

1959 - Commissioned by Hydewood Park Baptist Church, North Plainfield, New Jersey for missionary work with AIM

1959-1964 - 1st term. Medical missionary with AIM in Oicha, Belgian Congo (now Democratic Republic of Congo).

1966-1969 - 2nd term. Medical missionary in Nyankunde, Congo

1970-1973 - 3rd term. Medical missionary in Nyankunde, Congo

Other Significant Information: Frieda's parents were AIM missionaries in Congo

Extent

2 Video Tapes

135 Minutes

Language of Materials

English

Accruals and Additions

The materials in this collection were given to the Billy Graham Center Archives by Herbert Andrew Atkinson, Frieda Elizabeth (Paul) Atkinson and Lawrence Wesley Fountain in January 1989.

Accession: 03-60

April 19, 2005

Wayne D. Weber

Title
Collection 607 Oral History Interviews with Herbert and Frieda Atkinson
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Roman Script

Repository Details

Part of the Evangelism & Missions Archives Repository

Contact:
501 College Avenue
Wheaton IL 60187 US
630-752-5910