God's Miracle Offering

For the last few years churches in the Central Region have been encouraged to participate in a Region Offering we have called Seeds for Healthy Churches. This offering was used to help expand and enhance the ministries of the Central Region.

Because of the critical condition of region finances, at the September meeting of the ABC/CR Board it was decided to have a “kick-off” of the 2008/2009 Region Offering at the Annual Gathering in Tulsa. Participants in that meeting were given the opportunity in the Saturday morning worship service to be the first to support God’s Miracle Offering. The Seeds for Healthy Churches offering was renamed because we are convinced the only way forward for our Region and our Churches is by the miraculous hand of God. Moses’ experience in Exodus 34:9-10 characterizes our understanding of the need for God’s presence in our midst.

"If now I have found favor in Your sight, O Lord, I pray, let the Lord go along in our midst, even though the people are so obstinate, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Your own possession."

Then God said, "Behold, I am going to make a covenant. Before all your people I will perform miracles which have not been produced in all the earth nor among any of the nations; and all the people among whom you live will see the working of the Lord.

An amazing thing happened at the ABCCR Annual Gathering in Tulsa. God’s presence was made known in wonderful ways. An incredible spirit of unity prevailed. Testimonies and reports of the spiritual climate of the Annual Gathering declare tremendous moments of inspiration, worship, fervor and evidence of God’s miracle-working presence. One such demonstration of God’s power was at the time we shared in God’s Miracle Offering. When the offering was received, the total came to $19,581.00. But then the Spirit moved upon a few delegates who challenged us to reach at least the $20,000 mark. People stood and offered more. Checks and cash were joyously and generously rushed to the front so additional gifts could be counted. By the end of the morning, the “kick-off” of God’s Miracle Offering reached $20,426.10. We may never know what God intends us to do with the dime that was picked off the floor, but it was counted too.

We do know that the Region Offering will be used to continue vital ministries for the Central Region. These dollars will support pastoral search efforts, interim ministries, Central Region camping, new church planting, pastoral support networks, leadership education and Christian enrichment conferences, youth events, clergy credentialing, lay pastoral training, mission & stewardship education and outreach opportunities and many more vital ministries that help strengthen the local church. It is certain that God is not finished with the American Baptist Churches of the Central Region and that there is much for us to do together.

Prayerfully, we’ll hope to see more individuals and churches add their generous contribution to the 2008/2009 Region Offering. All our churches are invited to find a time in the months ahead to participate in God’s Miracle Offering where 100% of your church’s gift supports vital ministries that change lives and change churches in the Central Region.

Download Bulletin Inserts and Flyers you can use to promote God’s Miracle Offering in your congregation.

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