Bonnie Hudson

“Just to realize that the Lord could take a simple farm girl and use her in His work has to be the most memorable experience of all,” Bonnie said, reflecting on her service as a missionary and support staff member. 

Born in 1939, Bonnie McCullough grew up on a small Pennsylvania farm “with no neighbors in sight.” She accepted Christ as her Savior while a senior in high school. Several years later, she committed to “do anything He asked me, even to be a missionary.” Leona Taves, a representative for WGM Prayer Bands, spoke in Bonnie’s church, and that made a big impact. While a student at Vennard College (Iowa), Bonnie applied to WGM for missionary service. Before going to Kenya, she took additional Bible classes at Indiana Wesleyan University (then Marion College) and worked at WGM headquarters in accounting and prayer ministries. She arrived in Kenya in 1970.

Bonnie served in finances, keeping the records for Bethany Bookshop, a Christian bookstore in Nakuru, and did accounting for the Kenya Field. Fellow missionary David Kellogg had started a training program within the bookshop, and Bonnie did on-the-job training in accounting, office machines, and office practices. Part of the Bethany Bookshop was the Flamingo Feather Flower Industry, started by Helen Kellogg. This ministry employed disabled people to create flowers out of flamingo feathers, a handicraft that was very popular in the 1970s. Bonnie kept the books for that ministry as well. “It certainly was a joy to know that the bookshop was providing [the disabled workers] with a way to make a living,” she shared. Bonnie was also active in Africa Gospel Church and was part of starting a new church plant in Nakuru.

She returned to the U.S. in 1982 and began working at headquarters, where she met Bob Hudson, a recent widower. Mutual admiration blossomed into love, and the two were married in 1984. They continued in their roles at WGM, which also included starting the WGM Federal Credit Union (now part of VIA Credit Union) and overseeing the construction of the credit union on WGM’s campus.

In 1993, Bonnie was driving to work and was hit by a large dump truck. The terrible accident eventually required the amputation of her left leg. Through the weeks of rehab and months of getting used to wearing a prosthetic leg, Bonnie was blessed as God continued to provide for her needs.

Bob and Bonnie retired from WGM in 1998 and were soon off to the American Indian Field, where they spent a year helping with finances. Next, they were invited to Escuela El Sembrador in Honduras, where Bob helped the school start a hog operation. Bonnie taught classes in finances and business.

For their next adventure, they returned to Bonnie’s former home in Nakuru, Kenya. As a team, they handled all the accounting and financial needs of the field. In 2002, they moved to Avon Park, Florida, where they served with Avon Park Camp Meeting Association in helping with finances. Bob passed away on February 26, 2016. Bonnie continues to live in Avon Park. 

“The Lord has proved Himself faithful; a guide when needing direction; and a comfort when needing love, assurance, and a Friend,” Bonnie said. “Just to realize that the Lord could take a simple farm girl and use her in His work has to be the most memorable experience of all.”