Delane Tew’s journey took her from Birmingham to Tokyo and now to the small town of Marion. She believes God has directed her journey and has been faithful to provide for every need.
Tew grew up in Birmingham, the daughter of former Director of Missions Earl Tew, and spent her freshman year at Judson College. She received her B.A. in history from Samford University, a master’s in religious education from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., and a master’s in history along with her Ph.D. from Auburn University.
She felt the call of God and became a Southern Baptist missionary in 1983. Tew moved to Tokyo, Japan, where she lived and worked for the next 12 years.
“It was a wonderful experience,” she said. “I knew God wanted me there and I could feel His presence everywhere.”
Tew lived in a section of the country where there were no churches. She began a Bible study with her neighbors, believing she first had to build a relationship with the people, she explained. The Japanese worship a religion known as Shinto, which is a type of Buddhism.
Tew remembers one of the funniest moments during her time in Japan. She had become friends with a family who invited her to their house to share their New Year’s meal. New Year’s is the traditional holiday in Japan and she was a little hesitant about going.
“The traditional meal in Japan is made up of this fishy seaweed type stuff,” Tew explained. “It’s real slimy stuff!”
When Tew was seated at the table, the mother brought out a pot of meatloaf and placed it before her.
“She had cooked it just for me,” Tew said.
She wasn’t the only one relieved, for the 17-year-old son leaned across the table and whispered, “I sure am glad you’re here!” According to Tew, teenagers in Japan enjoy more modern foods like Americans.
Tew learned a lot from her time spent in Japan. “It certainly made me see how important relationships are,” she said. “It taught me dependence. I was like a child in a strange place with strange people. It taught me dependence on God.”
Tew returned to the United States in 1995. From 1996 till 2001 she worked for the national Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) and is now beginning her third year at Judson.
Tew enjoys her job as a professor of history at Judson. “Uniquely, what Judson has to offer is one-on-one time with students,” Tew said. “Here student opinions are heard and the classroom is dynamic.”
Tew received the “Lula and Alton Holley Award for Excellence in Classroom Instruction” at Judson’s commencement in June. The award is based on the vote of graduating seniors.
“It was such an honor,” Tew said. “There are so many wonderful teachers at Judson. It was very humbling.”
Tew is a member of Siloam Baptist Church in Marion where she leads the women’s Bible study on Wednesday nights and is the Discipleship Training director.
“Tokyo was huge, and I enjoyed my time there,” Tew said with a smile. “But I really like the small town of Marion. I like being able to walk to church whenever I feel like it.”
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