SARAH DOREMUS: Women’s Union Missionary Society

On a cold, rainy night in 1820, a petite woman walked through the destitute neighborhoods of New York City. She was there to comfort the sick, bring food to the hungry and to witness to the saving power of Jesus Christ.

Known as, ‘the Jewel of New York,’ Sarah Doremus shunned societies fashionable events for upper class women and organized social services for the expanding needs of the New York city.

Through her tireless work and talent for leadership, she founded the Women's Union Missionary Society in her home. As its president, she would direct over 1,000 female teachers, doctors and evangelists to missions work all over the world.

Ephesians 2:10 says that "we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

One of the distinguishing marks of authentic Christians throughout the history of the church has been a willingness to live a lifestyle permeated with good works as a devotional response to our creative design.

Sarah Doremus walked productively in the good works God had prepared for her, whether visiting the sick or coordinating missionary efforts, she was fond of saying, "If I have anything to do, I do it; for the Lord loves cheerful obedience."