The Impact of Louise Fleming’s Missionary Work in 19th Century Congo

Early Life and Call to Missions

Lulu was born into slavery in 1862 in Florida. She overcame systemic barriers to become a pioneering figure in global missions. She graduated from Shaw University as valedictorian. The American Baptist Foreign Mission Society (ABFMS) then appointed her as their first African American woman missionary. In 1887, she traveled to the Congo to fulfill this mission.

Educational Ministry and Linguistic Mastery

She served as a missionary teacher, and her class had about 49 students. The students were introduced to Jesus because of Lulu’s ministry to them.

“This seems a poor report…and perhaps many may think the work almost discouraging, but to us whom God has given the privilege to labor here it is very encouraging. [It] fills us with unspeakable joy. “

Lulu merged her teaching with weekend evangelistic work in the towns. Within a year, she had learned Kikongo and no longer required a translator.

Advocacy for Women and Medical Training

Lulu saw that women needed to be reached. She began making home visits. She urged the mission society (American Baptist Foreign Mission Society of the West) to send more women.

In 1891, Lulu returned to the USA as a student at the Women’s Medical College in Philadelphia. She returned to the Congo in 1895 as a medical missionary.

Medical Mission in Irebu and Legacy

Known as Dr. Fleming, she was stationed at Irebu, further up the Congo River, where she needed to learn a different language. The power of Dr. Fleming’s ministry came from her identification with those among whom she served. The Baptist Missionary Magazine described her as “particularly successful in winning the hearts of the Congo people.” She put herself in close touch and sympathy with them. 

Final Years

Her tireless service was cut short when she contracted African sleeping sickness. Dr. Fleming passed away in 1899 at the age of 37. She remains a historic figure in the American Baptist Churches USA history. She is remembered as a bridge-builder who merged medicine, education, and faith.

CITATIONS

The Baptist Missionary Magazine (1888)

The Dictionary of African Christian Biography

“This Day in Black History: Jan. 28, 1862”. BET.com. BET Networks.

“Fleming, Louise Cecelia”. dacb.org. Center for Global Christianity and Mission at Boston University School of Theology.

Kurian, George Thomas (2016). Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States, Volume 5. Rowman & Littlefield.