Gratitude for Missions Giving
As the Kentucky Baptist Convention nears the end of the 2009-10 fiscal year on Aug. 31, my heart is filled with gratitude for the faithfulness of Kentucky Baptists in giving to support missions.It has been a great year of missions support by Kentucky Baptists. Kentucky Baptists have set new records through July in giving through the Lottie Moon offering for international missions, $5,175,549 (up 19.6 percent); the Annie Armstrong offering for North American Missions, $2,056,568 (up 3.3 percent); and the Eliza Broadus offering for state missions, $1,251,613 (up 15 percent).
There were two legacy gifts for the Lottie Moon offering and one each for Annie Armstrong offering and Eliza Broadus offering that helped to boost these totals, but new records would have been set even without the legacy gifts. In a year of economic challenge, I am so grateful to Kentucky Baptists for continuing to give faithfully to support missions through these offerings.
I also want to express heartfelt thanks for the gifts of Kentucky Baptist churches through the Cooperative Program for missions across Kentucky and North America and around the world. I believe that the best way to support a holistic Great Commission missions strategy is through CP. The Cooperative Program supports the foundation of Great Commission missions through the ministries of state conventions in strengthening churches and reaching people in communities in every county.
The 14 old line states provide more than 90 percent of the support for missions nationally and internationally. As one of those states, Kentucky is a vital part of the link for the support of world missions.
Additionally, I want to express gratitude to Kentucky Baptists for their response to the challenge of “Find It Here.” I praise God for more than 41,000 Kentucky Baptists who were involved in prayer walking their neighborhoods and distributing the gospel to 1.3 million homes in Kentucky.
A follow-up emphasis has been planned with a goal of having 67,000 Kentucky Baptists involved in prayer and fasting leading up to Easter on April 24, 2011. “Find it Here 2011” will also include scripture distribution to individuals in colleges, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, prisons and jails. As with last year’s emphasis, the scripture distribution will be coordinated by local associations.
Begin to pray now for a great harvest and focus on those people that you want to see come to Christ in believing faith.
Also, please remind your church treasurer that if your church would like to receive credit for gifts in the 2009-10 fiscal year, the check needs to be postmarked by Aug. 31 and arrive at the bank by Sept. 2.
For me and my wife, Kay, this is a great time to serve with Kentucky Baptists!
0 Comments
posted by: Bill Mackey on August 24th, 2010