Donald McGavran (Dec 15, 1897 - July 10, 1990), also known as “the Father of the Church Growth Movement,” was the founding Dean of the School of World Mission at Fuller Theological Seminary. The microfilm collection contains copies of documents related McGavran’s life and ministry from 1897 - 1965.

Donald McGavran (Dec 15, 1897 - July 10, 1990), also known as “the Father of the Church Growth Movement,” was the founding Dean of the School of World Mission at Fuller Theological Seminary. Dr. McGavran served as Dean from 1965-1971, and was Emeritus faculty from 1980-1990. The United Christian Missionary Society of the Disciples of Christ Church sent the McGavrans as missionaries to central India in 1923. During his work, McGavran’s philosophy of mission altered from primarily evangelistic work to focus on developing the spiritual lives of Christian believers through discipleship. In 1958, McGavran resigned from mission work and pursued his goal to start an academic school focusing on church growth. He began the Institute of Church Growth at Northwest Christian College in Eugene, Oregon in 1961. The Institute transitioned to Fuller Theological Seminary in 1965. It was renamed the Graduate School of World Mission and Institute of Church Growth.

1 Box, 0.5 linear feet

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