To meet the needs of North American Missions...
Every year, we honor the life and missions impact of Annie Walker Armstrong (1850-1938) when we give to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering® for North American missions. As a tireless servant of God and a contagious advocate of missions throughout the world, Annie Armstrong united women in missions endeavors, ultimately leading to the formation of Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU). She served as WMU’s first corresponding secretary.
Annie believed and followed Christ with all her heart, but it was her hands that expressed her belief in tangible ways. A prolific writer, she spent many hours using her hands to type and handwrite letters in support of missions. Many of these letters were quite lengthy, and all were motivated by her desire for others to, as she put it, “grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Annie also used her hands to reach out to others in need, whether by hugging a child or distributing food, clothing and the Word of God to those in need. Her hands cradled her Bible as she studied how best to share God’s love with others. Most importantly, as a woman of prayer, Annie regularly folded her hands in prayer to intercede for the missionaries and those with whom they shared Christ.
Annie once wrote, “If I get hold of an idea which seems to me to be a good one, I somehow do not feel comfortable until I see it carried out.” As a result of her persistence, Annie rallied churches to give more, pray more and do more to reach people for Christ. As modern-day missions advocates unite to continue that work today, we can be encouraged and empowered by following her legacy.
