2003 Maguire State Mission Offering

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—Contributions to the 2003 Maguire State Mission Offering are approaching the $1 million mark, making it likely that the offering will meet its previous record of $1,022,826 given in 2001.

It will be only the second time in the history of the offering that funding surpassed $1 million.

In response Florida Baptist Convention officials are reminding church leaders that money collected for the 2003 offering must arrive at the Convention by Dec. 31 to be designated for this year’s giving.

Money given after Dec. 31 will be applied to the 2004 offering goal.

At the end of November, $958,740 had been received for the offering-just $41,259 less than $1 million. Giving was buoyed by an exceptional October when $484,633 was received. Gifts in November totaled $201,432.

The offering is taken each fall to supplement mission and ministry needs in the state of Florida. The offering underwrites mission needs not being met by other budgeting sources, including the Cooperative Program. All money given to the offering is used within Florida and its mission partnerships.

The largest allocation of the offering underwrites the Convention’s loan program to help new churches acquire property. No other money is available through Convention resources to assist new churches gain a foothold in their communities. For the first time, "church site loans" is considered a priority item and will receive $400,000 from the offering.

Florida’s mission partnerships with Baptists in Cuba and Haiti are also funded by gifts to the offering. Each receives $120,000. For more information on distributions of the funds, please check www.flbaptist.org.