Fonds - World Christian Ministries fonds

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

World Christian Ministries fonds

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    Statement of scale (cartographic)

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    Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

    Dates of creation area

    Date(s)

    • 1957-2001 (Creation)

    Physical description area

    Physical description

    52 cm of textual records

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    Name of creator

    Administrative history

    World Christian Ministries was established in 1958 as Christian Mission Publishers by Michael Derkatch, George Derkatch, Joseph Obelnycki, David Krasowski, John Seaman, and Andrew Horbatiuk. Attempts were made to register the organization under the name of Gospel Mission Publishers but when they were unable to do so the name of Christian Mission Publishers (CMP) was adopted. The purposes of the organization were to promote an interest in the study of the Gospel according to the articles of faith of the PAOC, to conduct public or private meetings of religious or evangelistic nature, to print, publish and distribute literature of every kind relating to PAOC doctrine and faith and to receive, acquire and hold gifts, donations and bequests. The focus of these endeavours was at first on Ukrainian people and then on Slavic people generally. During the Cold War, Christian Mission Publishers focused primarily on distributing Bibles behind the Iron Curtain. Although initially the organization purchased equipment to run their own printing operation, by 1964 those assets were sold and printing was done by an outside firm. In the early 1970s plans were underway for radio broadcasts into eastern Europe from Portugal and in Washington state. The early 1970s also saw discussion about a possible amalgamation with the Eastern Slavic Branch Conference of the PAOC. In 1972 proposals for the production of a film were accepted. In 1975 the PAOC became involved when the General Superintendent was asked to sit on the Board of References of Christian Mission Publishers. That same year the name of the organization was changed briefly to Global Christian Ministries, becoming World Christian Ministries two months later. In 1985, George Derkatch turned the ministry over to the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada in order to pursue other opportunities. It continued to do primarily literature work in Eastern Europe under the supervision of a director appointed by the PAOC until 1997 when the decision was made to cease operations and drop its status as a registered charity.

    Custodial history

    Scope and content

    The fonds consists of records which reflect the purpose, management, activities, and dissolution of the World Christian Ministries. There are five series. Series 1 - Legal and constitutional records. These records contain letters patent, supplementary letters patent, constitution and by-laws, correspondence, minutes of meetings, financial statements, public information returns, and notes and correspondence regarding the status of World Christian Ministries and its eventual dissolution. Series 2 - Program files. These records consist of reports, pamphlets, brochures, and correspondence that document the various programs and projects that World Christian Ministries was involved with over time. In some cases the file title bears the name of the individual involved with the project. Program files also contain samples of the published work. Series 3 - Minutes. These records contain the minutes of the Board of Directors meetings beginning in 1957. Series 4 - Circular letters and bulletins. These records include copies of "In Action" the newsletter of World Christian Ministries which reported on their activities in eastern Europe and appealed for funds. Series 5 - Financial records. These include financial statements, notes, and printouts.

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    Internal transfer

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        No restrictions

        Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

        Finding aids

        PAOC Archives FileMaker Pro Database

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