“Is not the festive season when families and friends exchange gifts in memory of The Gift laid on the altar of the world for the redemption of the human race, the most appropriate time to consecrate a portion from abounding riches and scant poverty to send forth the good tidings of great joy into all the earth?”
— Lottie Moon, Sept. 15, 1887, Tungchow
This past September, David Platt, president of the International Mission Board (IMB), released an open letter to Southern Baptists explaining the IMB’s need to reduce its missionaries and staff by 600-800 people due to budget shortfalls. (Read Platt’s letter here. Read about the budget plan here.)
The IMB is the primary foreign missions agency of Southern Baptist churches, which Grand Avenue Baptist Church supports with our general offerings through our church budget as we give to the Cooperative Program of the SBC. Thus, the reduction of IMB missionaries is a reduction of our missionaries. The budget shortfall of the IMB is our shortfall.
This Christmas season, we have an opportunity to respond in generous giving. Every year, SBC churches give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering (LMCO), of which 100% goes to the IMB’s overseas budget, comprising 58% of the IMB’s total budget. (Visit this page to learn more about how the LMCO is used.)
Our church goal is $7,500—a goal that we would love to see surpassed. As informational videos and bulletin inserts are shared in November and December, please prayerfully consider how you might give. Consider committing to pray at dinner time for the offering, learning about Lottie Moon and IMB missionaries, and setting a family or personal offering goal.
To give to this offering, simply write “Lottie Moon” in the memo line of your check, made payable to Grand Avenue Baptist Church.
Thank you for partnering to reach the unreached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ!