EDITOR’S NOTE: This year’s Week of Prayer for International Missions in the Southern Baptist Convention is Nov. 30-Dec. 6, focusing on Revelation 7:9 (“I saw a great multitude from every nation and all tribes ….”) The theme undergirds the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. The offering, in tandem with Cooperative Program gifts from Southern Baptist churches, supports international workers in seeking to fulfill the Great Commission. Gifts to the Lottie Moon offering are received through local Southern Baptist churches or online at IMB.org/lmco, where there are resources to promote the offering. This year’s goal is $175 million.
Every day is appropriate to say “thank you” to Southern Baptists who give generously so that the Gospel spreads to all nations.
This year, missionaries, like everyone else, have met unique challenges caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic.
In March 2020, IMB missionary Reid Karr’s church was unable to meet as the Italian government had restricted gatherings. A baptism planned at Karr’s church took place in a bathtub and was shown online to the rejoicing church. Because of your giving, Karr and his family have been able to stay in Rome and continue ministry.
“I would like to take this occasion to thank our many faithful Southern Baptists who continue to give faithfully to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering,” Karr said. “You will never know the full extent to which your generosity is having on the kingdom of God in many places around the world. It is times like these that remind us of the importance of what Southern Baptists are doing around the world as they work alongside their partners and the local church to see the gospel spread and transform hearts and lives.”
In the midst of a citywide shutdown, David and Sarah McNeill looked for new opportunities to spread the hope of Christ in their apartment building. Their children wrote notes with Bible verses to neighbors, leaving colorful pictures and small treats at every door.
“We cannot adequately express our thankfulness for the support we receive through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering,” the McNeills said. “Because of the sacrifice and generous giving of Southern Baptists, our family has received all we need to serve as missionaries in Bogota, Colombia. This year, because of your generosity, we were able to build relationships with national partners, share the Gospel, teach the Bible and even begin a new church!”
As leaders of the IMB’s 2020 Olympics ministries in Japan, missionaries Daniel and Tara Rice faced great uncertainty this year.
“We are deeply grateful for your prayer and financial support of the IMB and our ministry efforts,” the Rices said. “As you undoubtedly have heard, the Tokyo Olympics have been postponed until summer 2021 due to the current global health crisis. We see this postponement as a blessing and an opportunity given to us by the Lord, not only to minister to our neighbors in this unique time in history but also to fine-tune our ministry plans and to steward even more wisely the generous gifts we have received. Thank you for your continued prayer and support as we utilize this special opportunity to reach Japanese unbelievers and to encourage Japanese believers!”
PRAISE GOD for the continued work of Southern Baptists who have remained committed to reaching the lost for more than 175 years.
ASK GOD to send more individuals and churches who will be committed to the vision of reaching all nations and all peoples with the gospel.
THANK GOD for sustaining the work of missionaries through all circumstances, including the most recent global pandemic.
