Foldered & Finished: Rees Odeil and Patti Mattox Bryant Papers

The Rees Odeil and Patti Mattox Bryant Papers are ready for researchers. The finding aid for the papers is now available on DigitalCommons@ACU and the digitized selections are also available on DigitalCommons@ACU.

Photograph of the Bryant family, Box 2, Folder Photographs (5 of 5), Rees Odeil and Patti Mattox Bryant Papers, 1957-2007. Center for Restoration Studies MS #486. Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX.

These papers document the Bryant’s involvement in missions in Nigeria through correspondence, newsletters, financial documents, and photographs. There are also board minutes and information about the African Christian Hospitals Foundation and other organizations the Bryants either founded or supported throughout Africa.

Rees Odeil Bryant and Patti Mattox Bryant were missionaries in Nigeria from 1958-1967. Their involvement in Nigeria and other ministry continued long after they left the Nigerian mission field.

Letter from Patti Mattox Bryant to F. W. and Mildred Mattox dated 7 April 1960, Box 1, Folder 1960, Rees Odeil and Patti Mattox Bryant Papers, 1957-2007. Center for Restoration Studies MS #486. Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX.

Rees Odeil Bryant was born to Emmett and Nell Bryant in 1930 in Memphis, Tennessee. Patti Mattox Bryant was born to F. W. and Mildred Mattox on 8 April 1933 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They both felt a call to world missions at an early age and met at Harding College in Searcy, Arkansas, and were married the day of graduation.

Rees was the first graduate of Mars Hill Bible School in Florence, Alabama and graduated from Harding College with Bachelors and Masters degrees. He earned another Masters degree and a doctorate from Fuller Theological Seminary.

Photograph of Rees Odeil Bryant and Bible Training College students, Box 2, Folder Photographs (5 of 5), Rees Odeil and Patti Mattox Bryant Papers, 1957-2007. Center for Restoration Studies MS #486. Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX.

After serving congregations in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Alabama the Bryant family arrived in Nigeria in early 1958 along with their two young children, Sara Jo and William. The Bryants quickly identified the need for healthcare and eventually started the Nigerian Christian Hospital near the Bible Training College. The couple had two other children, David and Rebecca, while serving as missionaries. The Bryant’s third tour of Nigeria ended in 1967 before the start of the Biafran Civil War. The couple continued to be involved with the Nigerian Christian Hospital Foundation which is now known as the International Health Care Foundation.

Newsletter No. 4 dated 1 June 1958, Box 1, Folder 1958, Rees Odeil and Patti Mattox Bryant Papers, 1957-2007. Center for Restoration Studies MS #486. Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX.

Rees taught at Lubbock Christian College, Pepperdine University, and Lincoln Christian College. Patti worked as a teacher and secretary and later in life went on to earn her Masters in Theology and Philosophy.


Selected additional Africa mission resources from ACU Special Collections and Archives:

Foldered & Finished: Max Lucado Papers

The Max Lucado Papers are ready for researchers. A finding aid is available on DigitalCommons@ACU and digital exhibits celebrating various aspects of the collection are available on the Exhibits page of our blog.

Correspondence from Tyndale House. Box 1 of 153, Series I. A Box 1 of 1, Max Lucado Papers, 1965-2016. Center for Restoration Studies MS #316. Milliken Special Collections, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX.

The Max Lucado Papers were established in 2015 when Lucado designated his alma mater’s Brown Library as the repository for materials documenting his career as a missionary, evangelist and writer. Lucado was the university’s Oustanding Alumnus of the Year in 2003 and earned bachelor’s (1977) and master’s (1982) degrees from ACU.

Max Lucado’s diploma. Box 106 of 153, Series III. A Box 13 of 14, Max Lucado Papers, 1965-2016. Center for Restoration Studies MS #316. Milliken Special Collections, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX.

“It was at ACU that I was found by Christ. I don’t think I found him, I think he found me and literally re-routed my life and my family’s for generations,” Lucado said. “I pray these papers can show some of that story to someone who needs a discovery of grace.”

Letter from child, 11 March 2014. Box 121 of 153, Series III. B Box 15 of 15, Max Lucado Papers, 1965-2016. Center for Restoration Studies MS #316. Milliken Special Collections, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX.

The Max Lucado Papers contain 153 boxes of materials created or collected by Max Lucado. The four series in these papers house Lucado’s productions (sermons, books, media), correspondence, awards and memorabilia, and merchandise.

Tibetan
Lucado, Max, and Sergio Martinez. 2009. [You are special].

Additional selected Max Lucado resources from ACU Special Collections and Archives:

Foldered & Finished: Exodus/New Jersey Records

The Exodus/New Jersey Records are ready for researchers. An updated finding aid and digitized selections from the collection are now available on DigitalCommons@ACU.

Broadway Bulletin from 12 September 1971, box 1, Exodus/New Jersey Papers, 1964-1971. Center for Restoration Studies MS #10. Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX.

Exodus/New Jersey was a missions program spearheaded by the Golf Course Road Church of Christ in Midland, TX. The church, along with others sent families and individuals to Somerset Co., New Jersey to establish a church plant. The program was a part of the larger Exodus Movement, which sought to establish Churches of Christ in the Northeast.

Advancing the Church through Effective Missions September 1965, box 1, Exodus/New Jersey Papers, 1964-1971. Center for Restoration Studies MS #10. Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX.

International Mission is an organization founded by Garretson Road Church of Christ in Bridgewater, New Jersey. The organization sought to evangelize international travelers in New York City by inviting them into the homes of members of their congregation.

International Mission booklet, box 1, Exodus/New Jersey Papers, 1964-1971. Center for Restoration Studies MS #10. Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX.

This collection contains materials concerning and produced by the Exodus/New Jersey missionary program. The collection also contains materials produced by International Mission, an organization sponsored by Garretson Road Church of Christ.

Other resources from ACU Special Collections related to the Exodus Movement: