Our State Missions Season of Prayer and Offering theme this year is “Sow, Reap, Rejoice … Together.” The theme Scripture is found in John 4:35b: “Listen to what I’m telling you; Open your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ready for harvest.”

The fields in Georgia are, indeed, ready for harvest. With approximately 70% of our more than nine million population unchurched, we are living in the middle of a huge mission field right here in Georgia. There can be no harvest without first sowing and cultivating the field. The leading edge of successful harvest is prayer. Let us engage in a united effort of prayer for a great harvest of souls in Georgia.

I believe in the power of prayer, don’t you? I believe that if we will pray for revival in Georgia and put our hands to the work of sowing and reaping, God will send a great revival unlike anything we have ever seen in Georgia.

This year’s emphasis will focus upon several vital ministries of our Convention that are a part of our Associational Missions Ministries. These include disaster relief, continuing education, church/community ministry, and chaplaincy. Under the capable leadership of Dr. Frank Nuckolls these ministries are effectively touching many lives in Georgia and beyond.

I was invited by the Mississippi Baptist Convention to speak at an appreciation banquet for pastors, wives, and association and convention leadership recently in Gulfport, Mississippi. Nearly 200 people attended the banquet. The intent of the event was to express appreciation for so many that have given of their resources and energies to help folks along the Mississippi Gulf Coast recover following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

The focus of the evening was actually directed toward two state conventions that have been highly engaged with Mississippi Baptists in recovery over the past two years. The two states honored were North Carolina and Georgia. It was my honor to represent you and to bring the message of the evening. I was overwhelmed by the warm reception of these wonderful Mississippi folks. Jim Futral, executive director in Mississippi, introduced me and the people responded by giving a standing ovation, which they did again at the conclusion of my message. The standing ovation was not for me, it was for you, for Georgia Baptists who have given so much of themselves to the work in Mississippi. I am deeply appreciative of every Georgia Baptist, every church, and every association that have been hard at work in Mississippi for the past two years. You have made a huge difference.

To express their gratitude in a tangible way, the Mississippi Convention prepared a beautifully framed display of pictures showing areas where our Georgia volunteers have been involved. At the very top of the display is an image of Mississippi and Georgia inter-connected demonstrating the partnership in the recovery effort. We will make sure to have the display at the annual meeting in Augusta so you can see this beautiful expression of appreciation.

As I drove away from Gulfport the other evening, my heart was refreshed with the assurance that Georgia Baptists have made a difference in Mississippi. Through disaster relief you have ministered up and down the Gulf Coast including Alabama and Louisiana as well. Thank you for caring and for going.

A few weeks ago I mentioned in my article that due to the generosity of our Georgia Baptist churches we still have resources available in our Katrina Offering to assist groups from our churches who want to go work along the Gulf Coast. There is still much to be done and your help is needed. You may send your request for assistance in this ministry to me; include your plan for the use of resources and I will be happy to respond. I am so grateful to Georgia Baptists for giving me the joy of disbursing these resources for the accomplishing of this ministry.

Georgia Baptist State Missions involves praying for our ministries and for a harvest of souls. Georgia Baptist State Missions involves giving. Our goal for the 2007 offering is $1,500,000. Georgia Baptist State Missions also involves going, being on mission for Christ wherever He leads. I encourage you and your church to get involved in praying, giving, and going in Georgia and through our Convention to make a significant difference in the lives of others.