The Richard F. Baggett Papers are ready for researchers. An updated finding aid and digitized selections from the collection are now available on DigitalCommons@ACU.

Report- April 1-June 8, 1952, folder 1, Richard F. Baggett Papers, 1952. Center for Restoration Studies MS #261. Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX.

Richard F. Baggett graduated from Harding College in 1949. Richard and his wife, Mary, served as missionaries in Japan from 1950-1955, and 1956-1958. The focus of their work was training native preachers, establishing churches, teaching Bible at Ibaraki Christian College, and holding gospel meetings. The Baggetts were financially supported by the Coleman Avenue Church of Christ (Memphis, Tennessee), and the Union Avenue Church of Christ (Memphis, Tennessee).

Report- June 9-July 25, 1952, folder 1, Richard F. Baggett Papers, 1952. Center for Restoration Studies MS #261. Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX.

This collection includes two reports from Richard F. Baggett, an American who was serving as a Churches of Christ missionary in Japan. Baggett mentions preaching in Japanese for the first time without the assistance of an interpreter, describes gospel meetings, discusses the presence of communists, and addresses accusations that those operating Ibaraki Christian College were premillennialists.

Related resources from ACU Special Collections and Archives:

• Baggett, Richard, “Presenting the Restoration” (1981). Lectureship and Summit Audio Collection. 4916.
• McMillan, E. W., “The Voice of Opportunity From China and Japan” (1948). Stone-Campbell Books. 332.
  • Introduction written by the elders of the Union Avenue Church of Christ who supported the Baggetts during their time as missionaries
• The Church of Christ Mission Photography Collection
  • Includes images from Ibaraki, Japan during the time the Baggett family was serving as missionaries
• Union Avenue Church of Christ, “The Story of a Church” (1946). Stone-Campbell Books. 449.
  • Report from one of the churches that supported the Baggett family