The moment I stepped off that train in New Orleans in 1901, something stirred in my soul. I was new to Louisiana—this beautiful, complex tapestry of cultures and landscapes—but the Lord had prepared my heart for what would become my life’s calling.

I still remember my first Sunday at First Baptist Church of New Orleans. The congregation welcomed me warmly, but I couldn’t help noticing how much work remained to be done. So many souls in this vibrant city had yet to hear the Gospel, and beyond the city limits stretched countless communities across the state where Christ’s message needed to reach.

People often ask what drove me to travel those difficult miles across Louisiana. The answer is simple: love. Love for my Savior and love for the people of this remarkable state. When I accepted the position as the first Executive Director and Treasurer of the Woman’s Missionary Union, it wasn’t about a title—it was about having a platform to mobilize believers across Louisiana.

The challenges we faced were numerous. Transportation was difficult, funding was scarce, and not everyone understood why missions in our own state mattered so much. But I would often remind my fellow believers: “How can we reach the world for Jesus if we haven’t first reached our neighbors here in Louisiana?”