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Partners In The Mission:
Celebrating Generosity
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| Release Date: 04/01/2008 |
| a message from Dr. Bill Mackey, executive director |
Guest Column by Billy Compton, Executive Associate for Cooperative Program and Resources
As pastor of Severns Valley Baptist Church, I received a letter with a $12 offering. The money accompanied a note in a child’s handwriting which read, “Dear Brother Billy, I had a lemonade stand to make money. I decided to give the money to our church. My Mom asked if I was sure I wanted to give my money instead of buying myself something. I told her I really wanted to give my money so we could help more people know about Jesus.”
I was humbled to find coins and carefully folded dollar bills inside the envelope. This simple letter and sacrificial gift taught me a lesson about generosity. It expressed a love for the Lord and a passion for helping people experience life transformation in Jesus Christ. It was a sacrificial act deserving to be celebrated.
A similar noble mindedness has been demonstrated through the sacrificial giving of Kentucky Baptists. The Eliza Broadus Offering for state missions recently exceeded $1 million dollars for the first time.
I learned this history-making news while attending a prayer group when Joy Bolton, executive director of the Kentucky Woman’s Missionary Union, joyfully declared, “Praise God, Eliza is a millionaire!” She was expressing thankfulness for Kentucky Baptists’ generosity.
The contribution that provided the tipping point for reaching the million-dollar goal was $81.03 given by the Oakhill Baptist Church in Sonora (Lynn Baptist Association). The largest amount given was $50,000 from the First Baptist Church, Paducah (West Union Baptist Association). From $81.03 to $50,000, Kentucky Baptists made investments in rescuing the perishing and connecting people to the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. The partnership of both small and large gifts in helping Eliza to become a millionaire is a milestone worthy of celebration.
You ask, “Why a million dollar goal for Eliza Broadus?” Joy Bolton would emphatically respond, “There is a long list of Kentucky Baptist mission ministries that depend on funding from the Eliza Broadus Offering. When you combine the dollars invested from the Cooperative Program, Annie Armstrong Easter Offering and the Eliza Broadus Offering, you are providing essential support in building bridges of ministry for the sake of the lost in Kentucky.”
In a world that seems increasingly self-centered, generosity pushes against the tide. Generosity stands opposed to the self-serving attitudes so prevalent throughout the fabric of society. Generosity has a transformational power supported by biblical truth. Generosity is to be celebrated, especially when such giving is “for the sake of the lost in Kentucky”. The apostle Paul said, “I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings” (I Corinthians 9:23 NIV).
Thank you, Kentucky Baptists, for the Eliza Broadus Offering. You have demonstrated how to respond when a “God-size” challenge is presented. You are a reason for celebrating generosity!
Dr. Mackey's column appears weekly in the Western Recorder. To subscribe to the Western Recorder, call (502) 489-3535. |
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