Georgia Baptists send more than $30M to SBC in past 12 months to get the gospel to the nations

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A local pastor in Southeast Asia baptizes a new believer thanks in part to the efforts of Georgia Baptists, who gave more than $30 million over the past 12 months to get the gospel to the nations.


By ROGER ALFORD
The Christian Index

DULUTH, Ga. – Georgia Baptists have sent more than $30.4 million to the Southern Baptist Convention over the past year to get the gospel to the nations.

“This shows just how committed Georgia Baptists are to the cause of Christ,” said David Melber, chief operating officer for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. “Our churches and our people have given sacrificially to make sure everyone has an opportunity to hear the gospel.”

The total given between October 1 and September 30 for use outside the state of Georgia was $30,462,390. That includes $15,430,284 through the Cooperative Program, $9,698,461 to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, and $5,333,645 to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering.

“You have to keep in mind that the world was in the throes of a pandemic throughout this reporting period,” Melber said. “In such a time, with people around the world dying from COVID-19, our churches could see just how urgently the world needs Jesus, and they responded with this incredible show of generosity.”

The total, though down $601,577 from the previous 12 months as Georgia churches continued to struggle through the pandemic, accounts for over 8 percent of the SBC total in these areas.

Georgia is consistently one of the Top 3 states in the nation in missions giving.

Melber said Georgia Baptists are clearly committed to supporting the work of missionaries serving around the world, in the U.S., and in Georgia.

They do that by supporting the work of the International Missions Board, the North American Missions Board and other SBC entities, as well as the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, which exists to strengthen churches and church leaders in the Peach State.

“We’re thankful for the generosity of our Georgia Baptist family,” Melber said. “We’re especially grateful that they continued to give amid the pandemic, but I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that COVID did have serious impact on giving, forcing us to reduce staff and cut expenses at the Mission Board. We’re hopeful that we’ll see giving increase in the coming year as the pandemic subsides.”

Annie Armstrong, Cooperative Program, David Melber, financial report, Georgia Baptist Convention, Georgia Baptist Mission Board, Lottie Moon