Celebrating 60 Years of the Journeyman Program

News Summary

The International Mission Board commemorates the 60th anniversary of its Journeyman Program, illustrating its impact through the journey of Nancy Lyons Thomas, who served in Nigeria. From teaching to cultural immersion, the program has transformed lives and communities worldwide, highlighting the ongoing commitment of the IMB to global service.

Florence, South Carolina — The International Mission Board (IMB) celebrates the 60th anniversary of its Journeyman Program this year, a significant milestone marked by the inspiring journey of Nancy Lyons Thomas, who was part of the inaugural class from 1965 to 1967. This program, aimed at mission service, has sent thousands of young adults like Thomas to serve in various capacities around the globe, enriching both their lives and the communities they serve.

Nancy Lyons Thomas graduated from Furman University in 1962, where she began her teaching career at Poynor Junior High in Florence, South Carolina. Her decision to become a missionary was sparked by an article in the Young Women’s Auxiliary periodical at her church. Eager to embark on her mission journey, she joined the first cohort of Journeymen and underwent training at the University of Richmond’s South Hampton campus in June 1965.

After completing her training, Nancy traveled to Nigeria, a country recently independent and grappling with political unrest and military coups. She later began her teaching role at Newton Memorial School in Osogbo, Nigeria, a boarding school established for Southern Baptist missionary children. This historic mission school played a pivotal role in the dissemination of the gospel in Nigeria, highlighting the long-lasting impact of the IMB’s efforts.

Throughout her two years in Nigeria, Nancy cultivated meaningful relationships with her students, often being affectionately referred to as “Aunt Nancy.” This connection was deepened by her motherly approach to teaching, as well as her active involvement in the students’ lives, extending beyond academics. She adopted Nigerian cultural practices, including learning to bargain in local markets under the guidance of her colleague, Mary Jane Wharton.

The Christmas of 1965 was particularly significant for Nancy, marking her first holiday away from family. The staff at Newton embraced her and the other Journeymen, organizing game nights and various activities to help them acclimate to Nigerian life. Additionally, students experienced local worship at a Yoruba church each Sunday, blending Nigerian and Western worship styles and fostering cross-cultural spiritual understanding.

After returning to the United States in 1967, Nancy carried with her a profound appreciation for cultural diversity and spiritual unity. She continued her education at Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where she earned a Master of Religious Education. It was there that she met and later married her husband, Frank. In 1972, the couple was appointed by the Home Mission Board to work in inner-city Albuquerque, New Mexico. Together, they raised two sons, Ryan and Andrew, while Nancy flourished as an early childhood educator.

In 2021, Nancy and Frank returned to South Carolina, settling near Nancy’s childhood community. The Journeyman Program, from its inception to this milestone anniversary, continues to nurture young adults in their quest for service and community engagement, as exemplified by the life and mission of Nancy Lyons Thomas. Her firsthand experiences in Nigeria not only impacted her personal and professional life but also serve as a testament to the enduring mission of the IMB and its ongoing commitment to spreading goodwill and education globally.

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Additional Resources

• Kentucky Today: Once a Journeyman, Always a Journeyman
• Dignity Memorial: Eddie Phelps Obituary
• ABC News 4: NCPD’s Youth Apprentice Program
• Wikipedia: Missionary
• Legacy: William McNeil Obituary
• Google Search: International Mission Board Journeyman Program