Who is Annie Armstrong?

Each year, we honor the life and work of Annie Walker Armstrong (1850-1938) when we give to the annual offering for North American missions named after her. As a tireless servant of God and a contagious advocate and supporter of mission efforts throughout the world, Annie Armstrong led women to unite in mission endeavors that ultimately led to the formation of Woman's Missionary Union, for which she served as the first corresponding secretary.

Annie believed in Christ with all her heart, but it was her hands that expressed that belief in tangible ways. She spent a great amount of time typing and handwriting letters in support of missions. Many of these letters were quite lengthy and all were filled with conviction that more could and should be done in our mission efforts. In 1893 alone, she wrote almost 18,000 letters! Annie also never hesitated to use her hands to reach out to hug a child or distribute food and clothing and the Word of God to those in need. Her hands held her own Bible as she studied to know how best to share Gods love with others. And, most important, Annie was a woman of prayer, folding her hands in prayer to intercede for the missionaries and for those they were helping discover Christ.

Annie rallied churches to give more, pray more, and do more for reaching people for Christ. As we continue to unite to make her vision a reality in North America today, we can be confident that her legacy will also be ours.

Live with Urgency

2008 North American Missions Emphasis
Theme Interpretation
Scripture:
John 9:4-5 (HCSV)

"4We must do the works of Him who sent Me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. 5As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

Purpose:
To create in Southern Baptists a renewed awareness of the urgent need to affirm, equip, and support those who are making a difference in people's lives on the North American mission field. To encourage Christians to be active in sharing the gospel with their families, friends, and communities. To increase awareness of and participation in giving to North American missions efforts through the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering®.

Rationale:
Of the 332 million people living in North America, only one out of every four individuals has a personal relationship with Christ. That number indicates the urgent need for believers to take every opportunity to share Christ with those around us. The task may seem insurmountable and, as individuals, we cannot reach all. But each one of us can reach one, a dozen, a hundred. Together, we can reach a multitude by seizing every opportunity to share Christ with those in our sphere of influence, and by deliberately creating opportunities to share with those whose paths we cross.
Our North American missionaries are models of people who seize divine moments every day, knowing the key to doing so is intentional obedience. Living out the call God has placed on their lives to move out of their comfort zone, they are serving Christ with a passionate and faithful heart to make Him known to all people.
They recognize the importance of seizing every opportunity while it is still day. Thus, they live with urgency, and we can support them in their task even as we seek to do the same. Living with urgency means living with deliberate obedience to God’s call on our lives. It means seizing divine opportunities to do the work God has called us to do. By doing so, we make a significant impact on others and on the kingdom of God.

During the Week of Prayer for North American Missions, consider how you can “Live with Urgency” and impact the Kingdom of God through your continued prayers, giving, and going in this urgent task God has called us to carry out. Pray for these missionaries who represent the dedicated work of thousands like them.

National AAEO Goal: $61,000,000