The Powells of Nigeria

Born and raised in two devoted Down East Christian families, Rosa and Carlyle Powell and their daughter Mary Hester Powell served as Southern Baptist Missionaries in Nigeria a total of 87 years. Their mid-twentieth-century terms of service came at a time of the rapid development of Nigeria and the rise of national spirit that led to independence. In unique ways they contributed to both while carrying out their calling to proclaim Jesus Christ. In the 60 years since the conclusion of their careers, almost nothing had been written about the Powells. Finding himself at a unique, divinely directed juncture and with access to materials on the Powells like no one else, the author has recounted their lives and perhaps in the process rekindles the urgency of missions now in a different century and context.