MMO drive begins with eye on $750,000 goal
By Allen Palmeri
Staff Writer
August 3, 2004
JEFFERSON CITY –August is the month when Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) churches start thinking about the Rheubin L. South Missouri Missions Offering (MMO), with the first printed materials being mailed to the churches from the Baptist Building in late July.
A bulletin insert has been included that pastors can use to prepare for the MMO emphasis starting Aug. 29, according to MBC Associate Executive Director David Waganer.
Last year, $707,059 was raised. This year’s goal is $750,000.
“I’d like to thank every church and person who gave to MMO last year,” Waganer said. “Pastors need to get with their mission leaders and set a goal. It is imperative that we reach this goal. We want to challenge the churches to up their giving from last year.”
The offering is designed to reach out to “Judea,” or Missouri in the Acts 1:8 model. Most of the money being raised for the 2005 budget is targeted for missions ($295,000), with church planting getting $214,000, compassion ministries getting $199,000 and evangelism getting $42,000.
New this year to the MMO campaign is the official MMO song, “Thine is the Kingdom,” written by MBC Worship Specialist Bill Shiflett. Pastors are being encouraged to end their services on MMO Sunday in September by having their congregation sing the song.
The following materials are available as downloadable files from the MBC website, located at www.mobaptist.org/mmo2004: a children’s message; a facts sheet; a clip art sheet; a materials order card; an evaluation form; a sermon outline and various PowerPoint presentations.
Speakers are available to tell the MMO story. Call the Missouri Baptist information line at 1-800-736-6227, ext. 202 to request and schedule a speaker. There is no charge for this service.
MMO started in 1985. It was named after South, the MBC executive director who was instrumental in combining multiple offerings into one.
