Born in Toronto, raised at Century Baptist Church, a graduate of Northern Vocational School and Toronto Bible College (now Tyndale University College and Seminary), Mildred served as a Canadian Baptist missionary in Bolivia from 1941 until her retirement in 1982. Among her many responsibilities in Bolivia, Mildred was the administrator of the Baptist Theological Seminary in Cochabamba where she also taught, headed up the seminary’s Women’s Department, directed the Inter-Mission Language School in Cochabamba, and served as the field treasurer. Mildred was one many single female missionaries who fearlessly traveled through the mountains and valleys of Bolivia, teaching, discipling and encouraging the men and women who have gone on to give outstanding leadership to the Bolivian Baptist Union and its many churches.
Mildred is known in Canada and Bolivia as a warm and gracious woman who was wonderfully supportive and affirming. However, CBM Director Gordon King recalls that to young missionaries like himself, just arriving in Bolivia, Mildred was initially viewed as a tough examiner who held to very high standards of language proficiency before permitting them to launch into their assigned ministry. Despite that challenge, all her colleagues deeply appreciated her support and encouragement and quickly regarded her as a highly esteemed co-worker. As they became involved in the challenges of cross-cultural ministry, they also appreciated her high standards for language learning.
Rev. Yolanda Oropeza de Flores, Executive Director of the Bolivian Baptist Union, writes of Mildred: The Bolivian Baptist Union sends words of praise to the Lord for the life on earth of Miss Mildred Goulding. She has been an outstanding leader among us, supporting many people in their preparation to become pastors, teachers, and other functions. I had the privilege of working with her at the Seminary in Cochabamba. Her departure brings us thoughts of sadness but also of gratitude for her service in Bolivia. Now she is enjoying the very beautiful things with the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven.
Pepe Caballero, a former President of the Bolivian Baptist Union, writes:
I was one of thousands of friends of our beloved Mildred in Bolivia. As an ex-President of the Bolivian Baptist Union, we always have excellent development of the Lord's work in my country by the extraordinary life of Mildred. God did many wonderful things for Bolivians using her life. I want that my words sound like a song giving thanks to our God. Mildred was accepted as a good servant in the presence of Jesus Christ! Her life was one with a lot of fruit that are permanent (John 15).
Dr. John Keith, former General Secretary of CBM writes: Virginia and I are among those who have admired the gentle grace with which Mildred always carried herself. We give thanks for the beauty of this life lived for our Lord Jesus, and we give thanks for her dedication.
Just two weeks before being hospitalized, Mildred was at her church, Blythwood Road Baptist Church, to hear Carin Guthrie, current CBM Global Field Staff in Bolivia, and was so interested in Carin’s presentation and so affirming of the ministry that she and her husband Duane are involved with in the La Paz area. Mildred was hospitalized just 3 weeks prior to her death, and continued enjoying visits from family and friends right up to the time the Lord called her home. Her family, friends and church family stayed with constantly in her hospital room and ensured that she was not alone in the final days of her life.
A funeral service for Mildred will be held at Blythwood Road Baptist Church, 80 Blythwood Road in Toronto on Saturday, September 24th at 11:30 am. The service will be preceded by a time of visitation at the church beginning at 10:00 am. Tributes to Mildred may be e-mailed to Blair Clark at CBM: bclark@cbmin.org.
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