Mary Sue Thompson, a highly educated schoolteacher, wanted to teach in Nigeria and build a ministry that would support FMB’s missionary work in Africa.

FMB’s executive leader, Baker James Cauthen, told her at her appointment service: “We have waited for you a long time. We are glad you are going because of who you are, of what you represent, of what is in your heart. Let me give you a commission: Go to Nigeria, as Paul said, as ‘a letter written on our hearts,’ a love letter from us to them.”

Talking with Baptist Press in 1975, Mary Sue said that she encountered “little racism” among white missionaries. Her reception from the Nigerians among whom she served had also been welcoming. She felt “at one” with the people.

“Nigerians, other Africans and people around the world have asked me, ‘Why don’t Southern Baptists have more black missionaries?’”

Mary Sue’s work paved the way for future generations.