Paul Chitwood

Did you see the news today? If you did, you may have seen reports of data breaches, information hacks, cyber threats and holiday scams targeting the elderly.

Because this year’s Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is the most important offering in the history of the International Mission Board, I am asking every church to give 10 percent more to the IMB this year than you gave last year. If every church raises their giving by just 10 percent, we can fully support our Southern Baptist missionaries already on the field and those who are in the application process.

What do you wake up thinking about? What about when it’s 3 a.m. and you can’t go back to sleep, what keeps you awake?

Like most Baptist churches of the day, First Baptist Church of Murray, Ky., regularly hosted missionaries and denominational workers raising financial support. Growing frustrated with so many requesting to speak on Sundays, Pastor Harvey Boyce Taylor tried something new.

RICHMOND, Va. (BP) – “Will you make the first and most expensive Christmas gift this year a gift to our Global Missions Offering?” Sitting in the sanctuary of Calvary Baptist Church in Winston Salem, N.C., on the first Sunday of December, I heard Pastor Will Toburen ask that question of his congregation.

Jesus prioritizes children and their care. We see this in verses like Matthew 19:14, where Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven,” and Matthew 18:6, where Jesus says, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

RICHMOND, Va. (BP) – Seeing firsthand the tragedy happening in the Ukraine was sobering. So much has changed since I first visited the border less than a week after the Russian invasion, but one thing remains the same: Southern Baptists are there.

Hope. Merely reading the word can stir our emotions, inspire positive thoughts and lift our spirit.

In this season, when I am meeting with many state conventions and associations, God has directed me to Romans 10:8-15. Paul’s words are a great reminder of why God still has us on earth and why the IMB still has a job to do. Our mission is to serve Southern Baptists in carrying out the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations.

NASHVILLE (BP) – In late July, Michelle and I, along with two of our daughters, traveled overseas, where we met with more than 60 of your missionaries and their kids. We were so encouraged by the days we spent visiting with them and were again reminded that Southern Baptists have sent their very best to the nations.