April 20, 2024
This year's Mission Georgia emphasis will challenge Georgia Baptists to go beyond their comfort zone as they seek to seek the state's 7 million unchurches residents.• When Patricia first came to the Mobile Health Unit for severe dental care, she was brought by a pastor’s wife. After multiple visits for diseased gums, teeth extractions, and dentures, she received more than she expected. Her physical needs led her to a greater need … her spiritual condition.
As a result of the ministry of Georgia Baptists, provided partially through the Mission Georgia state missions offering, Patricia renewed her faith in Christ and has become an active member in Mount Zion Baptist Church in Canton.
For decades Georgia Baptists have brought physical healing to underinsured individuals statewide, like Patricia, as they sought to bring spiritual healing that comes only through a personal relationship with Christ.
Last year the Mission Georgia Offering helped the Mobile Health Ministry to lead 109 clinic days in 43 locations while performing 6,439 dental procedures and experiencing 64 professions of faith.
• Student ministries through the Georgia Baptist Mission Board are changing lives and developing young disciples for Christ. Within the past year, staff have been personally met with or mentored more than 75 youth leaders throughout the state. The MERGE Missions Conference was attended by 19 different churches through Georgia and the IMPACT Discipleship event was sold out with more than 50 churches in attendance.
• Egyptian-born Mokhles Hanna came to an early faith in Christ and faced prejudice and taunting throughout his childhood. Surrounded by Muslim extremists, his family was often persecuted. An early memory for Pastor Hanna was of his father being kidnapped and taken to the local mosque for questioning and indoctrination.
Today he serves as pastor of an Arabic congregation at First Baptist Church of Lilburn. Through the Mission Georgia offering, Georgia Baptists have partnered with Arabic Community Church to help change lives in the greater Lilburn community and beyond.
These stories are just a few of the seven which Georgia Baptists will be learning about and praying for through this year’s Mission Georgia offering which begins in September but continues through the fall and beyond. While September is the official emphasis month, many churches schedule times that are convenient to their congregation.
Other ministries featured in the prayer guide include church planting, public affairs, worship and music ministries, and the Augusta Project.
Associational Missionary Dwayne Boudreaux has worked with Georgia Baptists to reach Augustans with the Good News. Much of the project has been funded through the Mission Georgia state missions offering, which is being highlighted in this year's emphasis. JOE WESTBURYThe theme for this year’s offering is BEYOND: Proving the Power of God and stresses the need to go beyond comfort zones and current experiences to experience His fullness. More than 7 million Georgians are waiting to hear the Good News from believers who are willing to bring the gospel to them.
The theme scripture is Ephesians 3:20-21: “Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us – to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
The offering goal of $1.75 million will be used to change lives for eternity. The emphasis will challenge Georgia Baptists to pray, give, and go in obedience to the Great Commission.
Georgia Baptist Mission Board Executive Director J. Robert White is encouraging congregations from Blairsville to Thomasville to challenge their members to give sacrificially in order to reach the state’s unchurched.
“Every dime of this offering will be used to make an eternal difference in thousands of lives in our state. I challenge you to go beyond your comfort zone to make things happen – great things, spiritual things, God-sized things through your involvement.
“An outstanding packet of materials has been assembled including videos that you can share with your congregation, prayer guides, and an amazing list of ministries being conducted through the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. I have enjoyed reviewing each of the videos. I believe they are the best we have ever produced and I am confident they will be a blessing to you and your church.”
White stressed the importance to support missions in the Peach State along with other national missions offerings.
“I trust that you are accustomed to supporting Southern Baptist missionaries in both North America and internationally through the Annie Armstrong Offering and Lottie Moon Offering. I want you to know that what the Lottie Moon Offering is to international missions and what the Annie Armstrong Offering is to missions in North America, the Mission Georgia Offering is to missions in Georgia.
“It is absolutely critical to our mission work in Georgia,” he stated.
The ministry of Georgia Baptist's Mobile Health Clinic has brought physical and spiritual healing to underinsured residents statewide. It is among seven ministries, supported through the Mission Georgia state missions offering, being featured in this year's emphasis. JOE WESTBURY/IndexThis year’s free materials include the following products:
This DVD includes the theme interpretation, four short video segments testifying to the power of God, and five BONUS children segments. 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 link, or download the video segments from the MissionGeorgia channel on Vimeo.
Easily identify contributions made to the Mission Georgia Offering in your church by using these specifically designed envelopes. Envelopes can be placed in pew racks, chairs, or in the bulletin.
Posters, which can be displayed in high traffic areas around the church, are available in English or Spanish.
This 7-Day prayer piece is available to inform members how to pray specifically for this year’s emphasis. The Prayer Guide may be used as a bulletin insert or stand-alone piece. Discover how God is uniquely using Georgia Baptists to reduce spiritual lostness. Also available in English or Spanish.
A fact sheet sharing current highlights of ministries in Georgia to share with your group or church. This easy-to-digest information will be helpful for every pastor and mission leader.
A MissionGeorgia Offering Logo can easily be downloaded for multiple uses.
A support piece call Top Ten Tips offers suggestions on how to implement the emphasis in your church to ensure an effective telling of the Mission Georgia story. All materials, including instruction for free shipping to churches, are available at www.missiongeorgia.org.
White is encouraging all churches this year “to go BEYOND in supporting the ministries which are spanning Georgia with the message of healing, hope, and salvation? I am praying that every Georgia Baptist church will be engaged with this effort and receive the Mission Georgia Offering.”
