State mission offering sets new giving record

FBC photo by Ken Touchton

Florida Baptists gave a record amount to the 2003 Maguire State Mission Offering to fund mission and ministry needs in the state. The offering underwrites Florida Baptist mission camps, where boys, like camp counselor Theodore Foster (l) of Jacksonville, inspire others to become involved in a mission lifestyle.

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—Gifts to the Maguire State Mission Offering reached an all-time high in 2003, totaling $1,025,828 and surpassing the previous record set in 2001 by $3,000.

While short of the $1.4 million goal, this year’s offering represents only the second time in history that giving topped the one million dollar mark.

"We are grateful unto God to have such a banner year, especially when gifts given through the Cooperative Program are also at an all-time high," said John Sullivan, executive director-treasurer of the Florida Baptist Convention. "I have always said that Florida Baptists are the most generous people I know."

While the receipts were at a record high, the number of churches contributing to the offering dropped to 1,145 in 2003 from 1,188 in 2002. The highest number of contributing churches was recorded in 1993 when 1,274 congregations participated in the offering.

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

One of the priority items in the 2003 state mission offering is a $400,000 allocation to help new congregations acquire a first-time church site. "The offering makes loans possible for new churches to buy property for permanent church homes, which they could not finance without this assistance," explained Hugh Cater, director of the New Work Assistance Department which administers the loans to the churches.

Another priority item is the associational shared receipts which will return $54,082 to 24 associations in the state. To receive the funding, associations must meet giving goals based on the previous year’s receipts. In 2003, these 24 associations met or exceeded their goals. Funding to produce offering materials in four languages is also included as a priority item.

The remaining funds are allocated on a pro-rata basis. The offering is the only source of funding for Florida Baptists’ international mission partnerships with Baptists in Haiti and Western Cuba. Money is also allocated to help pastors in Florida’s national mission partnerships in Montana, West Virginia and Indiana.

Other areas receiving funding include special evangelistic programs in strategic urban settings, disaster relief, migrant ministries, church-based health ministries, African-American church and community projects; mission camps for children and youth; and student evangelism outreach.

Offering proceeds will be awarded during the State Board of Missions meeting Jan. 30.