September is traditionally the month Missouri Baptists concentrate on financial support for ministry and missions across the state. Three Baptist entities are providing ways to support a variety of outreach efforts.
Missouri Baptist Convention
With the theme, "A heart to send: Empowering Kingdom Growth," the MBC has set a goal of $750,000 for the 2004 Rheubin L. South Missouri Missions Offering. The money raised this year will be used to fund ministries in 2005.
Four primary ministry areas have been targeted. About $215,000 will be used for church planting, with $42,000 designated for evangelism efforts. The Missouri Baptist Children's Home will receive about $127,000, and $120,000 will support collegiate summer missionaries.
Among other ministries to benefit from the state missions offering are disaster relief, associational partnerships, college scholarships and international ministries. The MBC's Christian Life Commission also will receive some funds.
The MBC offering is named for Rheubin L. South, who became the MBC executive director in 1975. Under his guidance, several offerings taken to support individual mission causes and agencies were combined into a single effort. The MMO was named for him in 1987.
MBC worship leader Bill Shiflett composed this year's theme song, "Thine is the Kingdom."
Materials, including bulletin inserts, clip art, offering envelopes and other items, are available by contacting the MBC at 400 E. High St., Jefferson City, MO 65101, or by calling 573-636-0400 or 1-800-736-6227.
Baptist General Convention of Missouri
The BGCM has set $35,000 as its goal for its 2004 state missions offering. Sixty percent of funds raised will be used for BGCM ministries, including evangelism conferences, a volunteer missions program, new church starts, and state and local fair ministries.
The remaining 40 percent will benefit nine Missouri Baptist institutions – The Baptist Home, the Missouri Baptist Children's Home, Missouri Baptist University, Southwest Baptist University, Hannibal-LaGrange College, William Jewell College, Windermere Baptist Conference Center, Word&Way and the Missouri Baptist Foundation.
"Believing, Giving, Caring, Ministering" is the theme the BGCM has chosen for the emphasis. Promotional posters, bookmarks, bulletin inserts and offering envelopes are available by contacting the BGCM at 1900 N. Providence, Suite 301, Columbia, MO 65202, or by calling 573-441-2574 or 1-888-420-2426.
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Missouri
Now in its third year, CBFMO's Show Me Missions State Mission Offering will benefit five ministry areas. This year's goal is $40,000.
Next generation ministries, which include church planting, collegiate summer missions and a state youth event, will receive 42 percent of the total offering.
Some 34 percent will be used to support ethnic ministries, including outreach to Russians in Kansas City, to Hispanics in Columbia and mid-Missouri, to Romany Gypsies in St. Louis and to Native Americans through Mid-American Indian Fellowships.
The remaining 24 percent will assist seven Missouri Baptist institutions. Part of the funds will be used for benevolent ministries through The Baptist Home and the Missouri Baptist Children's Home. MBU, William Jewell College, Windermere, Word&Way and the Foundation also will receive a portion of the offering.
Resources for promoting the offering are available at showmemissions.org.
