Marvin C. Baarman Collection, 1949-1972 | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

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Collection Overview

Title: Marvin C. Baarman Collection, 1949-1972

ID: COLL/003

Primary Creator: Baarman, Marvin C. (1919-1991)

Extent: 9.0 Boxes. More info below.

Arrangement: Folder level description

Subjects: Christian Reformed Church - Missions, Christian Reformed Church. Board of Home Missions, Church schools, Home missions

Abstract

Documents the ministerial career of Marvin C. Baarman (1919-1991), in the Christian Reformed Church in North America. The material focuses primarily on the administrative dimensions of his career in the parish ministry and later as he worked for the denomination’s Home Missions Board. Among other topics, it details the denomination’s evangelism during the 1960s and 1970s, as well as the denomination’s commission on race formed in 1968.

Biographical Note

Marvin C. Baarman (19 Jan 1919 – 21 Feb 1991) enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and he served honorably in North Africa, Italy, and in the South Pacific. After the war, Baarman enrolled in Calvin College and graduated in 1946 with an AB. He taught for two years at Oakdale Christian School in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He then prepared for the ministry attending Calvin Theological Seminary from which he graduated in 1951 with a ThB. He then spent a year at Princeton, 1951-1952. From Princeton, he began his active ministry in Lodi, New Jersey, where he served from 1952-1956. In 1956, he moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, serving a church that was organized during his service there. He was appointed by Synod 1960 to serve as Executive Secretary of the Christian Reformed Board of Home Missions.

For fourteen years, until 1974, Baarman was energetically involved in the Home Missions programs of the denomination. The collection we have reveals the variety of activities he carried out in fulfillment of his task. He suffered from heart problems that led to an early retirement in 1974.

Baarman was predeceased by his wife Ophelia and son, Chris. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; his daughters, Nori and Russell Bykerk; Margaret and Hank Kearney, along with 3 step-daughters and 7 grandchildren.

Subject/Index Terms

Christian Reformed Church - Missions
Christian Reformed Church. Board of Home Missions
Church schools
Home missions

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Initial Period of Ministry, 1949 -1960],
[Series 2: Home Missions Period - Administration to Committees, 1864-1971],
[Series 3: Home Missions Period - Committees Inter-Agency Meetings, 1964-1971],
[Series 4: Home Missions Period - Manuals to Miscellaneous Papers, 1959-1972],
[Series 5: Home Missions Period - Organization Management, Race Issue, 1962-1971],
[Series 6: Home Missions Period - Reports, 1962-1972],
[Series 7: Home Missions Period - Reports - Speaking Engagements, 1961-1972],
[Series 8: Home Missions Period - Staff Agenda, Youth Evangelism, 1964-1970],
[All]

Series 3: Home Missions Period - Committees Inter-Agency Meetings --- 1964-1971

Box 3

Folder 1: Committee: Synodical Committee updating rules and job description of Stated Clerk --- 1970-1971
Folder 2: Committee: Synodical Committee on job description of Stated Clerk --- 1970
Folder 3: Committee: Synodical Committee on Stated Clerk --- 1970
Folder 4: Concept of Mission material --- 1964-1971
Folder 5: Cuban Refugee Mission, Miami --- 1961
Folder 6: Documents used in defense of Home Missions activities --- 1965-1966
Folder 7: East Coast Home Missions --- 1966
Folder 8: Field Reports --- 1971
Folder 9: Financial Reports of Board of Home Missions --- 1961, 1971
Folder 10: Financial Reports of Board of Home Missions --- 1966
Folder 11: Inter-Agency Meetings --- 1971