Collection 222 Records of the OC International

Collection

Identifier: CN 222

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Correspondence, reports, minutes, manuscripts, handbooks, directories, photographs, etc., relating to the mission's work of evangelism, church planting and development of national leadership in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America since its origin in 1950.

Documents describe the founding and expansion of the mission, administrations of Dick Hillis (first president from 1951-1976, but also including files dating back to 1933 on his years as a missionary in China with China Inland Mission) and subsequent presidents Luis Palau (only minimal records), Clyde Cook and Larry Keyes, financial oversight and development of the mission, production of communication tools like publications and prayer letters, the activities of other divisions, philosophical and strategic emphasis on church growth, commitment to serving national churches and training national church leaders in the developing world, Evangelical theology, philosophy and ethos, political and social movements in the countries where the mission worked, and other mission-related themes.

Dates

Created: 1933-1998

Conditions Governing Access

Copyrights to published materials in this collection are retained by O.C. International.

Folder 40-12 containing personal correspondence of Billy Graham is closed during his lifetime.

Biographical or Historical Information

Evangelical mission agency; founded by Dick Hillis as Orient Crusades in 1951; established ministries in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America; emphasized training national Christians as a means to evangelize a country; developed programs such as Venture for Victory (later renamed Sports Ambassadors); assumed influential role in the Church Growth Movement and sponsored leadership conferences; led by presidents Hillis (1951-1976), Luis Palau (1976-1978), Clyde Cook (1978-1982), Larry Keyes (1983-2001), and Greg Gripentrog (2002- ); later changed to Overseas Crusades (1961), OC Ministries (1979), and OC International (1989).