Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Papers of Jean Stone and Richard J. Willans
- Dates:
- 1943-2010
- Creators:
- Willans, Jean Stone Willans, Richard Willians, Jean Stone
- Abstract:
- Extent:
- 24 Boxes, 13 linear feet
- Language:
- Preferred citation:
-
Papers of Jean Stone and Richard J. Willans. Fuller Theological Seminary-David Allan Hubbard Library Archives
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The Jean Stone Willans and Richard J. Willans Collection, 1943-2010 covers approximately 1961-2004, with some earlier documents from Jean and Rick's family histories. The collection documents the history of Jean Stone's and Rick Willans' leadership in the charismatic renewal from the moment of its beginnings at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Van Nuys where Jean Stone was a member. The collection includes documents concerning the first organization and first publication of the movement, both initiated by Jean. The core of the collection is the complete run of Jean and Rick's newsletters while on mission in Indonesia and Hong Kong, which recount the history of their ministry. This is supplemented by a large correspondence file and several boxes of photos, documents and mementos covering the years 1967 to 1984, as well as documentation of the Memorial which was erected in Kowloon in honor of their contribution there. Also included in the collection are photos, letters, documents and personal mementos. Finally, there are documents covering their continuing ministry histories after the return from Hong Kong in 1984 and a collection of letters from their daughter Suzy.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Jean Stone Willans (b. 1924) was a primary catalyst of the Charismatic Renewal. After experiencing the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, she was a vital participant in the historic events at her home church, St. Marks Episcopal, Van Nuys, CA. Her subsequent pilgrimage contributed to the transformation of twentieth-century Christianity. The Blessed Trinity Society was organized in 1960 to promote the renewal. It served as the supporting institution that brought Jean Stone to hundreds of churches, colleges, universities and auditoriums in the U.S.A., Canada, Mexico and Great Britain. From 1961-1965, she edited Trinity, an influential magazine “dedicated to maintaining the ‘fullness of the faith’”. The magazine spurred the early growth of the movement and coined the term “charismatic renewal.” Called to Asia in 1967, the Willanses ministered in Indonesia and Taiwan before settling in Hong Kong (1968-1981). The couple founded the Society of Stephen, which became a primary regional fountainhead of the Charismatic Renewal, particularly among Roman Catholics. They also pioneered a ministry to drug addicts that drew international media attention due to the consistent pattern of painless withdrawal (without medication) through faith in Jesus and prayer in tongues. Since 1981, the Willanses continued their ministry based in Altadena, California.
- Acquisition information:
- Gift of Jean Stone and Rick Willans
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- Date Prepared:
- 1943-2010
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Supervised use only. Scholarly use within parameters of copyright law.
- Terms of access:
-
All rights reserved.
- Preferred citation:
-
Papers of Jean Stone and Richard J. Willans. Fuller Theological Seminary-David Allan Hubbard Library Archives
- Location of this collection:
-
135 North Oakland Ave.Pasadena, CA 91182, US
- Contact:
- (626) 584-5311