The Georgia Baptist Convention is involved in missions in Georgia, the United States, and around the world. Your support of the Cooperative Program, the State Missions Offering, Lottie Moon Offering, and the Annie Armstrong Offering touches so many needs at home and around the world that it is truly amazing to consider the variety of ministries taking place.

I have long been convinced that if Georgia Baptists and Southern Baptists as a whole knew the scope of ministries they support through their Cooperative Program gifts and special offerings, we would never have to encourage giving; everyone would be deeply committed to sacrificial giving.

One of the ministries right here in Georgia that you may not be familiar with is Appalachian Trail Servants. This ministry by Craig and Suzy Miles is making an incredible impact among hikers along the trail. Craig and Suzy are Southern Baptist missionaries who, in 2007, worked with churches in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia to serve hikers. Through their efforts, they led six hikers to faith in Jesus Christ.

In a recent report, Appalachian Trail Servants and their volunteers have set some outstanding goals to begin new ministries along the Appalachian Trail in 2008. These ministries include:

• Erecting Jesus-honoring monuments on the trail

• An on-trail ministry center

• A book entitled, Thirty-One Life Lessons from the Appalachian Trail

• A hostel near Hiawassee, Georgia

Among Georgia Baptists who are involved in this ministry are faithful volunteers from McConnell Memorial Baptist Church in Hiawassee who remain involved in the ministry year after year.

In North Carolina, over a three-month period of time, Jeff King, director of missions, assimilated over fifty volunteers from fifteen churches to the trail near Franklin. In Tennessee, Unaka Baptist Church enabled Appalachian Trail Servants’ board members to help hungry hikers. Trailside church, Shady Valley Baptist, continued to faithfully serve hikers in 2007. In Virginia, Appalachian Trail Servants worked alongside about twenty volunteers that offered free showers and free medical help to hikers.

Over 200 hikers received medical assistance and 343 hikers registered to receive showers in disaster relief shower units this year.

During 2007, Appalachian Trail Servants assisted approximately 600 hikers and saw six of those trust Christ as Savior. It is believed that these numbers of persons affected by this ministry will continue to grow significantly in the years that are ahead.

Recently, the Administration Committee of our Convention, in their October meeting, approved funds to help this ministry move forward with new innovations in ministry to reach more and more people for Christ.

What could be more appropriate than for people to encounter and trust Christ out in the middle of His vast creation, the beautiful Appalachian Trail? Remember to pray for Craig and Suzy Miles as they continue this vibrant ministry. They are thankful for your prayers and for your support.