This is the story of our organization. It only hints at the wonderful vision, courage, and commitment of the missionaries, leaders, and local church women who have faithfully obeyed Christ's call to witness and service. That is a much larger--and more exciting--story.
1876: Overseas mission begins
A.V. Timpany, a pioneer missionary to India, meets with influential Baptist women in Montreal and Toronto. He urges them to shine the light of Christ into the dismal lives of women and children in India. In response, the women organize two women's Baptist Foreign Mission Societies, one for Eastern Ontario and Quebec, and one for Ontario West. Through these societies, women in local churches formed groups to pray, learn, send, and support women missionaries and their work, first in India and later in Bolivia and Africa. In the first 100 years they sent and supported 76 missionary doctors, nurses, teachers, and women's workers.
1884: Home mission begins
Settlers from many countries poured into northern Ontario and western Canada. Home missionary Alexander Grant challenged women to help send Baptist church-planters to these new communities. In response, the Women's Baptist Home Missionary Society (of Ontario West) was organized in Toronto in 1884. The home mission society for Eastern Ontario and Quebec began in Ottawa five years later. For years women generously supported the denomination's home mission efforts in the West and French Canada. They began volunteer ministries to immigrants. But it was not until 1918 that they appointed their first female missionary to New Canadians. To date, about 70 women have served as Canadian missionaries--including Phyllis Ortiz and her daughter, Erika Abele, who serve in Toronto today.
1953: Amalgamation
From the beginning, Baptist women's groups were affiliated with both the home and foreign mission societies for their region. They carefully divided their time and money between home and foreign missions. From time to time, beginning in about 1925, there was talk of uniting the four women's missionary societies: foreign and home, east and west, Finally, in 1953, they merged to form the Baptist Women's Missionary Society of Ontario and Quebec (BWMS).
2000: A new name
The BWMS becomes known as Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec, with a restructured board and, more importantly, a fresh mandate to enable women in Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec churches to reach others for Christ.
Generous Baptist women have always been the lifeblood of mission work in Canada and overseas.
In the beginning, women with almost no income of their own cut back on their housekeeping expenses so they could give the money saved to missions. During the Depression, women sold their jewellery in order to keep missionaries on the field.
In recent years BWOQ has managed to keep its commitment to mission support only because older women, often on fixed incomes, have given an average of $200 a year.
These women who lived simply and gave sacrificially are now dying. Who will take their place?
At the same time, BWOQ is facing unprecedented needs and opportunities for outreach in Canada. Baptist women are being called to significant ministries here and overseas. They asking for our help. Shall we say, "Sorry, we have no money"?
Or will you join a new generation of women who will give financial priority to helping women reach others for Christ?
Please consider making a regular monthly commitment of $25. Send your donations to Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec, 100 - 304 The East Mall, Etobicoke, ON M9B 6E2. Or give through the BWOQ group in your church.
Comments or questions? Contact webweaver@baptistwomen.com. Copyright 2006, Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec.
Our founder, A.V. Timpany, and his wife Jane. After his premature death in India, she returned to Canada and became one of our early presidents.