During the 2003 Week of Prayer for International Missions, Nov. 30–Dec. 7, Alabama Baptists will focus on God’s intention that every people group hear the good news of His love and salvation in Jesus Christ.
This year’s theme for the International Missions Emphasis — “That All Peoples May Know Him: Follow God’s Purpose” — emphasizes God’s people aligning their lives with God’s redemptive mission in the world, according to International Mission Board (IMB) officials.
The International Mission Study, provided by national Woman’s Missionary Union, is on the Balkans.
Featured missionaries and people groups for the Week of Prayer come from around the world.
The national goal for this year’s Lottie Moon Christmas Offering (LMCO) is $133 million. Alabama’s goal is $9 million. Every penny of the LMCO will go to send missionaries and support their ministries. The IMB relies on the Lottie Moon offering for 50 percent of its annual income.
“We are grateful that Southern Baptists have a heart for missions and continue to give faithfully to the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering,” said IMB President Jerry Rankin.
“The goal for 2003 is $133 million, but we are challenging Southern Baptists to give $150 million as a more realistic amount for what it will take to stay on track in reaching a lost world.”
Avery Willis, IMB senior vice president of overseas operations, said, “LMCO is so much more than Southern Baptists perceive. It’s not about Lottie Moon in the 1800s. It’s about us in the 21st century — the lifeline for the whole missions effort. Response to the gospel is the greatest it’s been in IMB history.
“The doors are open,” Willis said. “Whether we can enter or not depends on Southern Baptists.”
The IMB regional leader for Central Asia said, “Our region has more than 500 unreached people groups.
“Ten of our top 25 requests for more workers are for people groups with no known Christians,” he said. “We have already found some qualified candidates who are ready to go, but they have been delayed because of lack of funds.
“Lost people will continue to have no access to the gospel for at least another year, even though there are workers ready to go to them, because we do not have the money to send them,” he said.
Lottie Moon herself once said, “I know that the board cannot send men and women until the churches furnish the money. … But is there no way to arouse the churches on this subject?
“We implore you to send us help,” she said. “Let not these heathen sink down into eternal death without one opportunity to hear that blessed gospel which is to you the source of all joy and comfort.”
For more information, check out the resources section of the Web site www.thealabamabaptist.org.
(Compiled from IMB releases)
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