Churches now receiving Mission Georgia materials for fall emphasis

GENEROSITY: Giving, Going, Growing is theme for the 2017 Missions Georgia emphasis. SPECIAL/Index

Georgia Baptists have long been known for their generosity when it comes to sharing the gospel. Their love for the unchurched is only matched by sacrificial giving of their time and resources. It’s a lifestyle that knows no bounds.

This year’s Mission Georgia State Missions Offering will spotlight that generosity through a theme by that name and its emphasis on giving, going, and growing.

State Missionary John Bryan, who oversees the annual emphasis, is praying that Georgia Baptists will give even more than last year when the offering reached a 10-year high. Churches gave a record $1,534,319 toward the $1.75-milllion goal.

Bryan stated, "Though churches have been faithful in giving an increasing amount over the last decade, there is so much more that could be done if we could meet or surpass our giving goal this year. Ministries are planned in hopes that funding will follow to reach the 7.1 million lost souls in Georgia and to provide vital equipping for our 3,600 Georgia Baptist churches."

Thousands of prayer guides, posters, DVDs, and related materials began being distributed to churches this week as churches plan to build the emphasis into their fall schedule. Late July is traditionally the time materials are shipped and it is not too late for churches to order their materials, Bryan added.

Congregations traditionally begin to build awareness for the emphasis in August and collect the offering in September or October. However, churches can schedule the promotion at anytime and collect the offering when it best fits into their timetable.

What this year holds

Baptist conventions like the Georgia Baptist Mission Board usually promote their state missions effort in early fall before the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions in December and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions around Easter.

A variety of resources can be downloaded or ordered from the www.missiongeorgia.org website. Hundreds of churches will begin receiving their materials the first week in August. SPECIAL/Index

This year’s prayer guide will feature the ministry of Associational Missionary Alan Morris and his wife, Rebecca, and their work with a cowboy church and school in Pickens County; the Appalachian Backpacks ministry which will be expanded to two south Georgia Associations and renamed Backpacks for Hope; the MERGE outreach of the Georgia Baptist Student Groups and Faith Development office; a Burmese Home Church Network in the Great Atlanta area; Literacy Missions and its outreach to residents from 101 nations throughout Georgia; and the Baptist Collegiate Ministry at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro.

"This year's emphasis for the Mission Georgia Offering and Season of Prayer highlights the generosity of God,” Bryan said.

“Stories and videos display how He is generously working through the multiple ministries of our Georgia Baptist Mission Board. New features include age-graded Bible study lessons and video subtitles in English, Spanish, Korean, and Vietnamese.

“As God has been so generous to share His love and forgiveness for us, our spiritual response is to do likewise through our giving, going, and growing for Him."

The following free materials are available by visiting www.missiongeorgia.org. Some can be downloaded in convenient PDF format for immediate distribution.

1. DVD

   This DVD includes the theme interpretation and four video segments testifying about changed lives. There are two versions: a short 2-3 minute version and a 4-minute version. A supplemental DVD is also available upon request which includes a choice of subtitles in English, Spanish, Korean and Vietnamese. The DVD is user-friendly and effective for use on Sunday mornings during worship, in small group settings, prayer meetings, or with mission organizations in your church. Order the DVD using the order form mailout return, order form link, or download the video segments from our MissionGeorgia.org channel on Vimeo.

2. Offering Envelopes

   Easily identify contributions made to Mission Georgia Offering in your church by using these specifically designed envelopes. You may order envelopes to place in your pew racks, chairs, or in the bulletin.

3. Bible Study Lessons

   Downloadable Bible Study lessons for adults, students, children, and older preschool age groups focused on this year's theme of Generosity.

4. Posters

   Posters in English or Spanish can be ordered to display in high traffic areas around your church.

5. Prayer Guide

   This piece, available in English or Spanish, is designed to inform your members how to pray specifically for this year’s emphasis. The 7-Day Prayer Guide is a booklet sharing how God is creatively at work across our state through multiple Georgia Baptist ministries.

6. Impact Fact Sheet Download

   Why Mission Georgia Offering? A fact sheet sharing current highlights of spiritual renewal through ministries in Georgia to share with your group or church.

7. Printable Logo Download

   MissionGeorgia Offering Logo for easy download.

8. Kingdom Generosity Podcasts

   Listen to the powerful ways God is using your State Missionaries to be generous in sharing the Gospel through different learning styles throughout Georgia. Click to listen and/or download online.