Collection 489 Oral History Interview with John A. MacDonald

Collection

Identifier: CN 489

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Oral history interviews with John Allan MacDonald (1921-2014) in which he discusses his education and activities at Wheaton College from his graduation in 1943; literary societies; friends and faculty; the impact of World War II on the campus; Billy Graham and his role in the United Gospel Tabernacle in Wheaton; MacDonald's evangelistic and church ministry among San Francisco hippies in the late 1960s and work with Jews for Jesus (JFJ) and its founder Moishe Rosen. The second interview focuses on JFJ, describing leader Moishe Rosen; evangelism among Jews; JFJ's philosophy and methodology of evangelism; responses by Evangelicals; the public and the Jewish community's response to JFJ; organizational structure and leadership; the role of women in the organization; relationships with other agencies reaching out to Jews; and his experience as JFJ board member and chaplain. The time period covered by the interviews is 1920 to 1994.

John Allan MacDonald was interviewed by Paul A. Ericksen on May 7, 1993, and March 11, 1994 at the Billy Graham Center Archives at Wheaton College.

Dates

Created: 1993-1994

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on the use of this collection.

Biographical Information

Full Name: John Allan Mac Donald

Birth Date: February 27, 1921, in Stockton, California

Death Date: August 30, 2014

Family:

Parents: John A. (principal) and Maude Mac Donald

Marital Status: Married Marilyn S. Rundlett ('42) June 25, 1944

Conversion: Eight years old; age twelve when sick with appendicitis, he promised God he'd be a preacher

Denomination: American Baptist

Education:

Stockton, CA, High School

1939?-1943 Wheaton College, BA (Philosophy)

1947 American Baptist Seminary, BD?

1951 American Baptist Seminary, Th M

1975 Golden Gate Theological Seminary, DD

Career:

Pastor in First Baptist Church in Mill Valley, California

Worked in San Francisco with hippies, students, drug addicts, etc.

Member of the board of Jews for Jesus, also chaplain

Other significant information: While at Wheaton College, he was a member of the concert orchestra, concert band, men's glee club, brass choir, Inter-Society Council, Aristonian Literary Society.

Extent

3.00 Audio Tapes

160 Minutes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Accruals and Additions

The materials in this collection were given to the Billy Graham Center Archives by Dr. John MacDonald in May 1993 and March 1994.

Accession: 93-65, 94-24

July 21, 2000

Janyce H. Nasgowitz