The Stuckenbrucks The Stuckenbruck Library is named for Earl and OttieMearl Stuckenbruck, founding missionaries for the European Evangelistic Society.
Earl and OttieMearl Stuckenbruck were both students at Butler School of Religion. OttieMearl had been instrumental in establishing and leading a Student Volunteer Movement group at Butler, and Earl had served as a “fellow” for Dr. Abram Cory, professor of missions.
Through a number of providential circumstances, Earl and OttieMearl were challenged to mission service in Europe. The devastation of the War and the spread of communism motivated them to offer their lives in service to making Europe a better place.
After a significant period of investigation and prayer, they settled in Tübingen, Germany. Earl was convinced that the most effective approach to missions involved an effective witness to the gospel in a university setting. The University of Tübingen had been commended to him and proved to be the ideal setting for the mission. With its scholarly tradition, excellent library, and openness to the idea of an Institute for the Study of Christian Origins, this location has proven to be the right decision.
Dean Walker would later describe the scope of the mission as giving “conscious attention to its twofold thrust: Academic and Communal, Learning and Serving, Intellectual and Proclamatory, Theological and Demonstrative.” The Stuckenbrucks proved to be ideal missionaries in such a setting.
The hard work and faithful ministry of the Stuckenbruck family brought forth the reality of both the Institute for the Study of Christian Origins and the Gemeinde – a congregation of “Christians only.” The influence of these two ministries has been felt all over the world, as international students have come to the University for academic purposes and have been a part of the Institute and church.
In 1968, the Stuckenbrucks returned to the United States, where Earl taught German, Greek, and biblical courses at Milligan College. The Stuckenbrucks continue to live in Johnson City and remain active supporters and board members for EES.
Recent Work Recently, under the direction of Dr. Beth Langstaff, the library collection was re-catalogued in order to be included in he University of Tübingen catalog database. Now, through the University system, patrons all over Europe have access to the listing of our holdings.
With the help of Alisha Paddock, an intern during the summer of 2004, shelves were read in preparation for a work team from Mountain Christian Church in Joppa, Maryland. With the help of two workers from that team, the spine labels were redone on the entire collection.
Additionally, the team from Mountain assisted in preparing the building for Local Area Network (LAN). Wiring was completed in the fall and students are now able to access the Internet with their own computers from the library.
Library Statistics
- 2,130 volumes
- 1,104 books in English
- 147 books in Greek
- 75 books in Latin
- 4 books in Aramaic
- 39 books in French
- 34 current journal subscriptions
- Connection with the UB opac (Internet-catalog) since 2002
- Have received requests from articles from other Institutes, including ones in Belgium, Switzerland, and northern Germany
Current Plans and Needs Continuing cutbacks at the main University library and the theological college library make us more aware of the need to expand offerings in certain English titles and journals that are not carried by the University.
- We need to add digital media to the collection, including the necessary hardware.
- As more students access our resources we need to address the issue of security, for which there is no current system.
- More shelving and more furniture will be needed as the library expands.
- The current photocopy machine needs to be replaced.
Donations If you would like to make a donation to the library please mail to EES at Post Office Drawer 90150; East Point, GA 30364-0150. For more information about electronic donations, please click here. To speak with Wye Huxford, executive director, about specific needs of the library or about EES in general please call 404.460.2443 or e-mail him at wyehuxford@earthlink.net.
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