In the Southern Baptist denomination, Annie Armstrong is a
name known by many, so, being a newbie, I Googled her. Miss Annie was born July
11, 1850, in Baltimore, MD. She became a Christian when she was 19 and
immediately began serving the Lord. She taught the infant class at church for
30 years, one of the few Christian service opportunities for women at the time.
Annie never married or had children. Her devotion to Christ led her to a life of service and leadership. She organized women to pray, to give and to meet the needs around them. She rallied vital support for missionaries, including Lottie Moon, another well-known Baptist missionary.
God gave Annie a passion for missions, and she dedicated her life to that call. She led in framing the constitution of the Woman’s Missionary Union. She advocated for missions as a writer, speaker, traveler, teacher, and personal contributor.
Annie Armstrong followed 3 John:7-8 :“For they have gone out for the sake of the name. . . Therefore, we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.”
It isn’t any wonder that, in her honor, an offering to benefit the work of the North American Mission Board was re-named The Annie Armstrong Easter Offering in 1934. The AAEO funds missions in North America, supporting more than 3,000 missionary families serving across the United States and Canada. Annie Armstrong died in 1938 at the age of 88.
Annie’s dedication to follow Jesus challenges us all. What passion has the Lord laid on our hearts? How can we put that passion into practice? For some, like Annie, it may be speaking, writing, or teaching. For others, it may be organizing, recruiting, or distributing workers and goods. Our service may involve steel-toed boots, strong muscles, construction knowledge and lots of building materials. We may be led to serve in schools, hospitals, hospice centers, or private homes. Whatever, wherever, and to whomever God calls us, let us, like Annie Armstrong serve with our whole hearts (Colossians 3:23)!
Be encouraged!
©2025 Pamela D. Williams.
