Annie Walker Armstrong
Season of Prayer North American Missions Annie Armstrong Easter Offering in March of each year
Annie Walker Armstrong was the first corresponding secretary (executive director) of Woman's Missionary Union. She was born on July 11, 1850, in Baltimore, Maryland. Her family was very active in Baptist life. Annie went with her mother to the missionary meetings of Woman's Mission to Woman. There she developed a heart for missions. Annie helped plant churches, served those who lived in poverty and addiction, and organized other women to help her reach out to African Americans, Native Americans, and impoverished people in rural areas. In 1882, Annie helped organize the Woman's Baptist Home Mission Society of Maryland. She was the first president of the society.
During this time, women around the United States were developing missional lives. On May 14, 1888, women from 12 states met in Richmond, Virginia. They formed the Executive Committee of Woman's Mission Societies, Auxiliary to the Southern Baptist Convention. In 1888, Annie Armstrong was elected corresponding secretary. Today that position is known as executive director. In 1890 the group became Woman's Missionary Union. Annie Armstrong served WMU until 1906. She did not accept a salary for her work.
In 1934 the offering for the Home Mission Board was renamed the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for Home Missions. Annie Armstrong died on December 20, 1938. Woman's Missionary Union was 50 years old.
During this time, women around the United States were developing missional lives. On May 14, 1888, women from 12 states met in Richmond, Virginia. They formed the Executive Committee of Woman's Mission Societies, Auxiliary to the Southern Baptist Convention. In 1888, Annie Armstrong was elected corresponding secretary. Today that position is known as executive director. In 1890 the group became Woman's Missionary Union. Annie Armstrong served WMU until 1906. She did not accept a salary for her work.
In 1934 the offering for the Home Mission Board was renamed the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for Home Missions. Annie Armstrong died on December 20, 1938. Woman's Missionary Union was 50 years old.
IMPORTANT EVENTS THAT HAPPENED WHILE ANNIE ARMSTRONG WAS DIRECTOR OF WMU:
- 1888 - The motto, "Go Forward" was chosen. Foreign missions offering established to send a missionary to China to relieve Lottie Moon.
- 1890 - The organization was officially named Woman’s Missionary Union, Auxiliary to the Southern Baptist Convention. WMU agreed to raise enough money to support all women foreign missionaries.
- 1892 - First week of prayer held in connection with the Christmas Offering.
- 1894 - WMU began promoting work of the Sunday School Board. Extra offering taken to pay Foreign Mission Board debt. The offering went over its goal.
- 1895 - First week of prayer and offering to pay off Home Mission Board Debt was established.
- 1896 - WMU adopted Sunbeam work at the request of the Foreign Mission Board.
- 1899 - WMU recommended that churches use a system of organizations for missionary education. Baby Bands was the first group organized.
- 1900 - WMU set up and funded the Home Mission’s Board Church Building Loan Fund. WMU opened the Margaret Home for children of missionaries who were overseas. First WMU-sponsored church-wide event – a stewardship emphasis.
- 1906 - WMU began the process of legal incorporation. WMU adopted a week of prayer for state missions. WMU began publishing literature for sale. Our Mission Fields was the magazine published by WMU.
