Atonson

DR. RUSSEL and GLENDA ATONSON LUKE SOCIETY OF THE PHILIPPINES E-mail: atonson@mozcom.com

Background

Dr. Russel Atonson has a M.D. from Far Eastern University-NRMF in Manila, Philippines. His specialty is family medicine and he is trained in medical management and administration.

From 1988 to the present Dr. Atonson has been associated with ACCORD (Accredited Council for Coordinated Development), and he is presently the chairman of that organization. Prior to his association with ACCORD, Dr. Atonson was a staff physician at Bethel Baptist Hospital in the Philippines. He left Bethel Baptist Hospital to go into government service, sensing a call to enter the primary health care field. Dr. Atonson also has been in private practice.

Glenda Atonson had dreamed since childhood of becoming a missionary nurse in Africa. It took seven years of searching and being open to the Lord before die opportunity for full-time service opened up. Her father was a country preacher and her mother a lay nurse who specialized in treating bum patients. Glenda is a teacher, using non-traditional approaches to education, combining the background from her parents' ministry and her educational training to build lives making people aware of their God-given potentials and helping equip them for Kingdom work.

Christian Service

From 1980 to 1998 Dr. and Mrs. Atonson pioneered and served as directors of the Luke Society of the Philippines, Inc. Through this ministry 25 churches have been planted, and the health needs of hundreds of communities throughout the Philippines have been met. Dr. Atonson has held many other ministry positions through the years, including the Chairman of the Board at two churches and a Bible Institute.

Dr. Atonson was the first of three children born to parents who were new Christians. Following a number of convulsive seizures at a very early age, Russel was dedicated to the Lord's service by his father in return for the Lord's sparing of Russel's life.

It was during Russel's medical school in Manila that he became involved with a very active church and through that influence he gave his heart to Jesus Christ.

The year that Russel graduated from medical school, he married his girlfriend of eight years, who was also the daughter of his minister. As a couple they wanted to serve the Lord in missions, desiring a ministry that addresses both the physical and spiritual needs of the people. This desire was answered through their association with the Luke Society.

Family

The Atonsons have two college age sons, Hans and Ken. Their daughter, Kristen, is a registered nurse in the Philippines, preparing to enter medical school and then the ministry.