Paul Chitwood, president of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board since 2018, said Southern Baptists have cooperated for 180 years in sending and supporting missionaries, and in so doing, continue to make an impact for eternity.
Chitwood was guest speaker at the 10th annual Missionary Appreciation Banquet on Nov. 21, sponsored by the Birmingham Metro Baptist Association and conducted at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Mountain Brook. BMBA Executive Director Chris Crain noted that attendees included 80 missionaries, currently serving or retired, representing 54 countries and 120 years of service.
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Chitwood thanked the missionaries in attendance.
“These men and women are worthy of honor because they sacrificed, without thinking of themselves as sacrificial, they took on burdens without thinking of themselves as burdened and traveled many miles without being weary on their journeys,” he said. “We honor them because they honored Him — the Christ we serve.”
Chitwood referred to the story in John 12 about Mary anointing Jesus with costly oil in Bethany. It was in this place a few days before her brother Lazarus was raised.
“Just think!” Chitwood said. “Lazarus was in the room! What a powerful reminder of the power of God.”
He reminded his audience that a few days after, Jesus would depart Bethany for his own death in Jerusalem.
“Mary prepared Jesus, he said, for his death, not realizing that soon he would die for her and for all the world,” he said.
Chitwood noted John’s description of the ointment as being worth 300 denarii.
“This was a year’s wage in the day, so imagine someone spending $40,000 or $50,000 today!” he said.
“It’s no wonder Judas complained about what he called such a waste of money. But as the fragrance of this ointment filled the room, Mary honored Jesus in a way we yet remember. John doesn’t say it, but both Matthew and Mark tell us that the story of her sacrifice would accompany the gospel story until the end of the age.”
“The sacrifice Mary made yet fills the world with a sweet-smelling aroma,” he said. “She is a worthy example for us as we honor our Lord. He is worthy of our honor, and our commitment. We ‘spend and are spent,’ as John Wesley famously exhorted, to the glory of God.”
Record giving in recent years
Chitwood said the IMB has recorded three record years of gifts through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. This offering accounts for approximately one-half of the IMB budget.
“We understand that we labor today, and one day must pass the baton to a new generation,” he said.
“I’m excited that more than 1,000 applicants are in our ‘pipeline’ awaiting approval and commissioning to serve Christ in our world.”
The Week of Prayer for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is Dec. 1–8. The national offering goal is $205 million, and the Alabama goal is $12 million.
Promotional materials may be found at imb.org and alabamawmu.org/offerings.
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