Lottie Moon: Frequently asked questions

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

•What is the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering?

Southern Baptist churches collect the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for the sole purpose of supporting international missions. Every penny of the offering goes to the International Mission Board’s overseas budget, thus supporting our missionaries and their work.

•What is the goal for this year’s offering?

The goal for the 2008 offering is $170 million.

•What is the 2008 theme?

The 2008 theme, “GO TELL the story of Jesus,” recalls for us the most powerful story ever told: the story of Jesus. Yet thousands of people groups remain in spiritual darkness, and no one is planting churches among them. How will they hear the story of Jesus? Closing this gap will require an unprecedented missionary force partnering with churches like yours. Their going means our giving as never before. God has provided the resources. Will we be found faithful?

•What part of the world is being spotlighted this year?

During 2008 the International Mission Board is focusing on the South America region. Many think South America has been reached with the Gospel. Yet there is a prevailing lostness that will surprise most of us. This continent holds some of the remotest, darkest places on the face of the earth. In fact, nearly 94 percent of the total population remains locked in a spiritual prison! Missionaries are hindered by physical barriers, government restrictions and dangerous warring groups. But there is hope, as missionaries partner with national believers to reach the unreached.

•What planning materials are available to help church leaders prepare for the offering?

•The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering planning guide for missions leaders offers helps for leading a successful missions emphasis and describes products available.

•The pastor’s planning guide offers two sermon outlines with resource suggestions for worship services.

Both guides include a DVD with presentation format video features and have been available to churches since mid-September.

•Does the IMB have offering resources for youth and children?

Yes. Our free Lottie Moon Christmas Offering 2008 DVD will contain segments for children and students as well as adults. Also, a special Kids On Mission newsletter, Lottie Moon Christmas Offering edition, will be available. Sermons for children accompanied by activity/coloring sheets will be available to download from this Web site.

•Can I find dollar examples of how the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is used to support missionaries?

Yes! New this year is our “Lottie Moon at Work” Web page to help pastors and missions leaders promote the offering. You’ll find stories grouped by age levels (children, students and adults) and by world regions. The stories give specific costs associated with missionaries sharing the Gospel—expenses that your church members help provide when they give to the offering. Each story package includes viewable and downloadable resources like videos, bulletin inserts, photos and more.

•How has the shrinking dollar impacted missions?

Over the past year the U.S. dollar has lost as much as 15 percent of its value in the world marketplace. That means Southern Baptists must give $1.15 to the Lottie Moon offering in 2008 in order to match the buying power of every dollar given in 2007. Though 15 cents may not sound like much, in the scope of the International Mission Board’s $300 million budget, those extra pennies add up to $45 million.

Why does this matter? Because God continues to call record numbers of Southern Baptist missionaries to reach the lost. This year we anticipate sending out more than 900 new missionary personnel. They are faithfully responding to God’s call to carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Will we be faithful to send and support them?

•What materials can I order for my congregation?

FREE resources carrying the giving message and stories of God at work around the world include Lottie Moon Christmas Offering editions of:

•DVD

•CD with photos, clip art, video and other resources

•The Commission magazine

•Your Church on Mission With God fliers

•What region will be the focus next year?

During 2009 we will take a look at “Who’s missing? Whose Mission?”—that is, who is still missing from God’s Kingdom? And is your church on mission to reach the remaining unreached people groups? We will profile unreached peoples from around the world who represent the lostness that prevails.

Week of Prayer for International Missions

•What and when is the Week of Prayer?

The Week of Prayer, Nov. 30-Dec. 7, encourages churches to pray daily for the international missions work and missionaries the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering supports. Also featured during this week is a Southern Baptist church that is taking the Great Commission seriously as members go plant churches among an indigenous people group in the Andes.

•Who is featured during the Week of Prayer?

This year Southern Baptists will pray for missionaries in the South America region and the people groups they and their national partners are reaching. Visit the Week of Prayer section of this Web site to find out who they are.

•How do churches obtain Week of Prayer resources?

Your Woman’s Missionary Union state office distributes free Week of Prayer guides and posters. Churches should have received them by Nov. 1. Besides English, the prayer guide and poster also are printed in Spanish, French, Korean, Chinese and Vietnamese.

International Mission Study

•What does the International Mission Study feature?

Woman’s Missionary Union’s 2008 study features Venezuela, highlighting the ways Southern Baptists of any age can be part of God’s work in this country.

•How can I get the study?

Kits, pupil materials and teacher's guides are available from WMU or in a LifeWay Christian Store in your area.

•What other resources are available for the study?

Visit the mission study section of this Web site for helpful resources and links.

Day of Prayer and Fasting for World Evangelization

Many churches joined in a concert of prayer May 11 for the unreached peoples of the Amazon Basin, the focus people group for 2008 Day of Prayer and Fasting for World Evangelization. Other churches are observing this day at another time of their choice. Undated materials include a video with study and planning guides, downloadable promotional poster and 30-day “Loving the Lost”pocket prayer guides.