December 2–9 are the dates of this year’s Week of Prayer for International Missions in Baptist churches everywhere. The week is climaxed by the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions.
This year’s $120 million national goal makes the international missions offering one of the largest special offerings received by any church group. I have been in groups where leaders of other
Christian denominations marveled that Southern Baptists could give such a large amount to any cause, let alone international missions. That the money is given in a few short days, for the most part, left these leaders speechless.
The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions may be the most widespread event in Alabama Baptist life. Practically all of the state’s 3,172 cooperating Baptist churches participate in the offering.
It is hard to exaggerate the importance of the special offering. Twenty-five years ago, when the offering was primarily a Woman’s Missionary Union small group activity, the Christmas offering was promoted as providing physical needs such as homes and automobiles for missionaries and church buildings for national Christians.
Today the offering is a churchwide event sponsored by Woman’s Missionary Union. The goal for the offering has soared and so has its role in supporting international missions. The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is the largest single source of financial support for international missions. It makes up about 46 percent of the budget of the International Mission Board (IMB). The Cooperative Program, by comparison, provides about 36 percent of the budget.
While the offering is now a vital part of the IMB’s operation, the budget is still constructed to ensure that every penny of the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goes to support missionary work overseas. Administration and other stateside costs are provided by the Cooperative Program.
The programs of the International Mission Board have expanded with its budget. The latest report indicates the IMB has 3,752 career missionaries under appointment. In addition there are 1,476 individuals serving in shorter term programs such as International Service Corps, journeymen and masters. This gives the board 5,228 field personnel serving under its auspices.
These missionaries and volunteers minister to 1,117 different people groups in 185 countries.
Alabama Baptists adopted a $9 million goal for this year’s Lottie Moon Offering. That is a challenging goal. To reach it, giving to the special offering will have to increase by about 10 percent above last year. In 2000, Alabama Baptists’ offering receipts totaled just more than $8.2 million.
A challenging goal does not mean an impossible goal. Not even the downturn in the state economy can prevent Alabama Baptists from supporting the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions if they determine to do so. Giving because people need to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is our motivation. That does not have a dollars-and-cents value.
Still, if one uses the resident membership of Alabama Baptist churches, an average gift of $11.60 would surpass the $9 million goal. That figures out to less than 23 cents a week as a special offering for international missions. That is precious little.
Pray about your part in supporting the cause of Christ around the world as expressed through Baptists. Pray about what you should give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. This is above and beyond the regular tithe. This is a special offering reflecting your concern for those in distant parts of the globe who have never heard or who have little access to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Together, Alabama Baptists can reach their $9 million goal. Together, Southern Baptists can raise $120 million for international missions through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.
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