JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Baptists are giving generously to state missions this year and already have passed the halfway mark toward the 2013 goal of $700,000.
As of Oct. 17, funds received for the Rheubin L. South Missouri Missions Offering (MMO) totaled $491,745, or 70 percent of the goal.
Giving so far in 2013 is outpacing last year. As of a year ago, MMO receipts totaled $456,708.
“Overflow” is the theme of this year’s MMO, taken from 2 Cor. 9:12, “For the ministry of this service is … overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God.”
Last year, Missouri Baptists exceeded the goal of $675,000, marking the first time in more than a decade that gifts surpassed the target.
Raising the bar
“This year we have set the bar higher,” said John Yeats, MBC’s executive director. “There are powerful, impacting Missouri mission projects that are dependent on our churches’ faithful giving to MMO.”
In June, the MBC mailed promotional packets to church leaders throughout the state and for the first time offered virtually all resources online at mobaptist.org/mmo.
The move toward electronic resources enabled the MBC to reduce postage fees and invest more in MMO mission projects like summer missionaries and church planting resources. Resources also were mailed on request to ensure that all churches were well equipped to share the story of Missouri missions.
While churches normally promote MMO in September, all resources are still available online and there are limited quantities of some printed materials by calling 1.800.736.6227, ext. 303.
“Missouri Baptists are living testimonies of God’s overflowing goodness,” said Yeats. “His goodness overflows when we see the people who are impacted by our financial support of the four key project ministries of our state mission offering: Sharing Christ’s Love, Sending Missionaries, Starting Churches, and Strengthening Churches.”
2014 MMO theme
Attendees of the MBC Annual Meeting later this month in Kansas City have an opportunity to help decide next year’s MMO theme.
At the MMO booth located outside the main ballroom, messengers and visitors may cast their votes for nominated 2014 themes, or write in one of their own. In exchange for their vote, they receive a gift from the MMO team.