Heroes on Mission: Mary Slessor

Missions Conference 2025 | Week 4

Already working in the factories at the age of 13, to say that Mary Slessor had a difficult upbringing would be an understatement, never mind the fact that she was frequently beaten and thrown out of her home by her father. Having to then navigate the streets and the unsavory characters that came with them, Slessor would become somewhat guarded. Public speaking would prove difficult for her, especially in the company of men. 

All this did not prevent God's call on her life to the mission field. In 1873, the death of fellow Scot and missionary to Africa, David Livingstone, inspired her towards a life of service. By 1876, she had answered the call to the missions, heading to Calabar (now southeastern Nigeria) as a single woman. In a region known for animistic beliefs and practices, witch doctors, and headhunters, Slessor taught that Jesus Christ is the "Great Physician and Saviour, the Son of the Father God who made all things."

Departing from many of the norms among the missionaries of her day, Slessor pursued cultural and linguistic fluency, embracing the culture, dress, and cuisine of the Efik and Okoyong communities she served. At the same time, she steadily began to minimize her dependence upon European infrastructure, affording her the unique opportunity to forge relationships with and minister to people groups who viewed European male missionaries with hostility. It was in light of this that the locals began to affectionately call her "White Ma," a title which indicates a level of respect and admiration among those people that we could hardly understate.

Yet this affection she received from the people was not only due to her willingness to fully immerse herself in their communities. Slessor made significant humanitarian efforts in the name of Christ, especially on behalf of the local children. In these communities, twins were thought to be cursed and often left for dead after birth. Strongly opposing infanticide, Slessor personally adopted (9) or arranged foster care with other missions for hundreds of twins. She would then go on to help establish the Hope Waddell Training Institution in 1895, offering instruction to provide the Efik youths with marketable skills such as tailoring and printing.

So prolific was her impact in the community that colonial officials could not ignore it. In 1892, she was appointed by the British as vice-consul of the native court in Okoyong, an office that allowed her to mediate intertribal disputes. Likewise, in 1905, she would be appointed vice-president of the native court of Ikot Obong.

When she passed in 1915, she was surrounded by the African children by whom she was so beloved. Rather than wailing as was their custom at funerals, the mourners sang, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow."

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