As many remember, Haymarket Baptist Church (HBC) members contributed to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering while we were a member church of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). The congregation’s decision to withdraw from that organization included withdrawing HBC support from all activities of the SBC, including Mission Offerings. Individuals remain free to do as they please.
The HBC missions Committee has decided to provide members the opportunity to donate to an international mission effort in place of the Lottie Moon Offering. The Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) International Missions was selected for the 2024 Christmas Offering. The letter below was published at the BGAV web site (bgav.org)
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BGAV International Mission Offering:
A Giving Option for Congregations to Support Mission Work Around the World
Support BGAV’s work with the global
Christian family in fulfilling God’s mission
October 2, 2024
by Dean Miller, Impact Missions Team Coordinator
BGAV’s Impact Missions Team receives regular support from individuals and churches for its international mission work. These gifts and contributions provide critical support for the work of BGAV and its many partners.
For many years, we received funds from several churches which had traditionally given a collected offering for international missions during the Christmas season but were looking for a new partner to receive their gifts.
Requests for this avenue of giving increased over several years, so in 2023 BGAV officially started the BGAV International Mission Offering, formalizing a way to give that many churches had already established and practiced.
Sharing the Gospel. Making Disciples.
Through our partnership with the global Christian family, BGAV participates in God’s mission around the world. We support indigenous missionaries as they serve their own communities in North America and beyond. Sharing funds and resources with reliable, local partners increases the effectiveness of our offering, and it honors the way God empowers and uses Christ’s followers in every culture.
In addition, BGAV sends short- and long-term volunteers to work alongside our partners, learning from them and representing our solidarity with the worldwide body of Christ.
We focus on Connecting with the global Christian family and supporting national missionaries who know the language, culture, and needs of their own communities.
We commit to Serving alongside each other – learning from one another as we seek to be part of Christ’s presence in the world.
We develop Thriving relationships with local partners, honoring the way God empowers Christ’s followers in every culture and ensuring that donors’ gifts have the greatest impact.
Funds received through the International Mission Offering support ongoing mission strategies such as:
- International Church Planting and Evangelism
- Poverty Initiatives
- Refugee Initiatives
- Community Development
- International Disaster Response
- Digging of wells
- Medical/Health concerns
- Educational Needs
- Bible Distribution
These strategies and projects are currently being carried out in 28 countries with trusted partners.
The annual BGAV International Mission Offering is coordinated by the Impact Missions Team. All funds are used for the direct advancement, support, supervision, and implementation of these mission endeavors. Funds are not used for salary or routine operational expenses of our BGAV staff in the main office.