There are some people in history whose lives make us stop in our tracks. Their stories challenge our comfort, stretch our faith, and inspire us to live bolder for Jesus. One such person is Mary Slessor, a woman whose fierce devotion to Christ led her deep into the heart of West Africa. There she lived out her mission for Jesus, transforming lives, confronting injustice, and fearlessly carrying the gospel into places no one else dared to go. (You can listen to the podcast about Mary Slessor HERE.)
Personally, in all my years of ministry, missions, and studying Christian history, Mary’s name had never crossed my path. That changed one day while visiting the William Wallace Monument in Stirling, Scotland. Meandering within the towering tribute to Scotland’s legendary warrior, I noticed a simple memorial bust honoring a woman. Curious, I read about her—and what I discovered left me quite impressed.
Turns out, Mary Slessor was a missionary whose life wasn’t just marked by faith but a radical, relentless, all-in faith. She lived a kind of selflessness that makes no sense to the world but turns history upside down for Jesus. I left the Williams Wallace Monument inspired, not just by him, but by this little Scottish woman who selflessly made a huge impact for Christ.
A Life That Defied Expectations
Mary Slessor was born in 1848 into poverty in Scotland. The daughter of a struggling and often absent father, she began working in the textile mills at just eleven years old. Life was hard, but it was in those difficult years that her faith was forged. A devout believer, Mary’s mother inspired her with stories from God’s Word. She also taught Mary and her siblings about missionaries like David Livingstone, a famous Scottish missionary to Africa. With this rich discipleship, Mary began to feel a call to missions. However, in that era, a single, working-class woman had little hope of making such a bold move.
But God had other plans, and Mary didn’t give up finding out what those were.
Going to the Mission Field
In 1876, at only 28 years old, Mary boarded a ship and set sail for Calabar, Nigeria. This was an area where previous missionaries had either died from disease or fled due to danger. Calabar was no ordinary mission field. In those days, Calabar was a land steeped in tribal warfare, superstition, and violent customs.
One of their culture’s most horrific practices was killing or abandoning twins at birth because it was believed that at least one of the twins was a devil. Mary would actively stop the killings or search for the abandoned babies and take them in as her own children. She would raise them alongside other children she adopted, helping challenge the tribal customs and raising the value of all lives. By about 1916, the killing of twins was finally eradicated, largely due to Mary’s selfless and sacrificial efforts.
Mary did even more than this, though. Rather than staying in the relative safety of the missionary compound, Mary went to the people, learned their language, adapted to their culture, and earned their trust. With fiery red hair, a Scottish accent, and an iron-willed determination, she walked barefoot through the villages, nursing the sick, intervening in tribal wars, and sharing the gospel with anyone who would listen.
She didn’t just preach Jesus—she embodied Him.
Faith That Stands in the Face of Fear
One of the most famous stories of Mary Slessor’s courage took place during a tribal dispute where warriors were prepared to fight to the death. Armed with nothing but her Bible and faith, she walked straight into the conflict, stood between the warriors, and demanded they lay down their weapons. Incredibly, they listened.
Over time, her influence grew, and she was invited into positions of authority as a peacemaker and advocate for justice. She became so respected that local chiefs sought her counsel, calling her “The White Queen of Okoyong.” Mary never sought power, though; she just lived in God’s power. She followed Jesus, selflessly served, and lived out Christ’s radical gospel.
She exemplified the truth of Philippians 2:3-4: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.“
As she lived this way, she once said, “Christ sent me to preach the gospel, and He will look after the results.” Mary didn’t wait for permission, a perfect situation, or a paved path—she just went where God called her. She lived with abandon for Jesus, trusting that He would use her small, humble life for His great and glorious purposes.
That simple trust in God’s sovereignty guided her through sickness, opposition, and countless dangers. She was bitten by deadly insects, survived tropical diseases, and at times suffered extreme loneliness. Yet she pressed on, because she knew that nothing—not comfort, not safety, not even her own life—was more valuable than living her mission for the Kingdom of God.
March MISSION Madness for Jesus
As we move through March MISSION Madness, we’re focusing on people who lived crazy, sacrificial, awe-inspiring lives for Christ. Mary Slessor is a prime example. By the world’s standards, she was foolish—a poor Scottish girl with no wealth, status, or formal theological training. However, as I stood before Mary’s simple memorial in Scotland, I was so inspired, and I couldn’t help but wonder: How am I selflessly living out my faith?
Mary’s life challenges all of us. Are we playing it safe? Are we waiting for the perfect circumstances to step out for Jesus? Or are we willing to embrace the wild, faith-filled adventure He is calling us to?
Maybe God isn’t sending us into the African jungle, but He is calling us somewhere—perhaps to speak boldly at work, disciple the next generation, step into a hard conversation, or stand up for truth when it costs us. Mary Slessor didn’t just read the Bible—she lived it. And that’s the challenge for us today.
She once said, “If you play safe in life, you’ll never accomplish much.” Her story reminds us that Jesus doesn’t call us to a life of ease, but a life of impact. The path won’t always be comfortable, but if we are willing to go, He will use us in ways we never imagined.
As we continue through March MISSION Madness, let’s allow Mary’s story to light a fire in our hearts. Let’s step out in faith, live boldly for Jesus, and trust that when we say yes to Him—crazy, amazing things will happen.
Be encouraged! ❤️
Tosha
