Missions legacy of Mary Hill Davis continues_61404

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Posted: 6/11/04

Missions legacy of
Mary Hill Davis continues

By Ferrell Foster

Texas Baptist Communications

A teenage girl danced around the room, and Faydell Brenner asked her what she was doing. The girl said dancing made her feel good about herself. Brenner replied that doing something for Jesus was a better way to accomplish the same goal.

Brenner, 73, has been leading teenage girls in missions education and activities for almost 50 years through the Acteens program at Tallowood Baptist Church in Houston. And her attitude about “doing something for Jesus” mirrors that of another missions-minded woman whose life ended about the time Brenner's was starting.

Mary Hill Davis died almost 70 years ago, but each year Texas Baptists remember her when they give to a special missions offering named in her honor. The Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions is emphasized in churches each September, but many churches contribute to it year-round.

This summer, the Baptist Standard will highlight various missions causes supported through the offering, which has a statewide goal of $5 million. But beyond the specific missions needs, the name of Mary Hill Davis evokes a certain spirit.

Brenner finds it in many of the girls she leads at Tallowood Church. “I have great hope … because some of them are really committed already” to missions, she said. When a need is seen, the girls “rush to get involved and do the most they can.”

Mary Hill Davis rushed to get involved in missions during the late 19th century and early 20th century. Born in Greenville, Ga., she came to Texas as a child in 1870, according to a short biographical sketch written by Inez Boyle Hunt. Davis' parents joined First Baptist Church of Dallas, and later she did, as well.

After marrying physician F.S. Davis at age 20, Mrs. Davis began to make her mark in missions. Eventually, she was elected president of Baptist Women's Mission Workers, which later reverted to its original name, Woman's Missionary Union of Texas. Davis served in that role 26 years.

Mary Hill Davis

Davis “challenged Texas Baptists to put first things first, … to put God first and the things of his kingdom,” said Carolyn Porterfield, executive director of Texas WMU.

And because of that, Davis had an “ability to see beyond her own language and culture group,” Porterfield said. She had a “real heart for the Mexicans” who were coming to Texas.

Davis also helped many Texas women develop leadership skills. “She saw the potential of women,” Porterfield said. Davis realized that if every Baptist woman could get involved, they would make a huge difference in the state.

As a result, Davis led women to “do things they probably didn't think they could do,” including paying for construction of Memorial Dormitory for women at Baylor University in Waco, Porterfield said.

“WMU is still in the business of helping women develop as leaders,” said Joy Fenner, a member of Gaston Oaks Baptist Church in Dallas and former executive director of Texas WMU.

And that is not the only way modern Texas women have taken after Davis. “You still find women in our churches today who are very tenacious about missions,” Fenner said.

Davis was “well-educated, attractive and had the option to live a self-centered, protected life,” said Mary Lou Serratt, longtime Texas WMU leader from First Baptist Church in Amarillo. “Instead, she chose to expand her world and become a model of servant-leadership. She was enthusiastic in outlook, unselfish in reaching others and totally committed to making a difference in lives through sharing her love for Christ.

“Her fingerprints are on the beginning work among immigrants, students, the poor, the homeless, the unfulfilled,” Serratt said. “I believe she saw these involvements as opportunities, not inconveniences.”

Because of such personal qualities, the Texas missions offering bears Davis' name. It is a critical funding source to all that Texas Baptists seek to do in regard to missions.

But WMU leaders also see Davis' legacy in individual lives.

Brenner sees it in teenagers. She recalled how one girl suggested the Acteens at Tallowood Baptist make sleeping bags for homeless people. The girls gathered wool from old skirts, pants and jackets; but they “didn't have a driver's license for the sewing machine,” Brenner said, chuckling at the teens' inexperience at sewing.

Consequently, women in the church got involved. The sleeping bags ended up being sent to homeless people in Mongolia.

“When they have an idea and they're that gung ho, you'd better figure out a way to do it,” Brenner said.

Tallowood Acteens are involved in a variety of ministries around the city, she said. “Everywhere you turn, there are hundreds of things you can do in your own city and state.”

Davis' spirit does not just live in the teenagers; it's in women, as well, WMU leaders said.

“I believe there are women in Texas today who live by the same principles and share the passion of joyful service,” Serratt said. “Just look at our churches and communities”–Christian Women's Job Corps, English as a Second Language classes, after-school programs, backyard Bible clubs and others.

“I know women who find their joy in life through sharing Christ's love in these areas,” Serratt said. “Day by day and week by week, I see women who agree with the statement Mary Hill Davis once made, 'You cannot hope to touch your neighbor's heart with anything less than your own.'”

Davis' willingness to sacrifice is something that needs to be emulated more today, Porterfield said.

Davis' husband gave her an amethyst necklace for Christmas in 1933. With his consent, she returned it and gave the money to missions.

“Missions wasn't just a speech she gave; it was a lifestyle,” Porterfield said. Mary Hill Davis' “overriding desire was to see people come to know Christ.” As a result, “she had to give up some things.”

Davis' character that exhibited sacrifice, perseverance and hard work should “challenge us today,” Porterfield said. “And all of that flowed out of her love for Christ.”

Mary Hill Davis served 26 years as president of Woman's Missionary Union of Texas. The annual offering for Texas missions bears her name.

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