2006 World Missions Offering Sets Record
Each April Free Will Baptist churches are encouraged to emphasize world evangelism. The World Missions Offering (WMO) is an integral part of the emphasis and has proven an important mechanism for funding the work of International Missions. Funds received from the WMO support the work of the office.
In 2006, the WMO was expanded to include field ministries. The 2006 WMO is underwriting the total operating expenses of four Bible institutes. These schools in Cuba, Russia, Côte d'Ivoire, and India provide critical Bible and ministry training to nationals who are preparing for church leadership.
As part of the 2006 WMO we employed a new tool to involve the entire denomination. Development Director Tim York introduced Change the World coin banks. "With the Change the World coin banks, you can use your change to make a difference in the lives of people to whom Free Will Baptists have been called to minister," says York. "It doesn't matter if you are four or 74, you can take part in this ministry."
The denomination has responded in a big way. In the past, fewer than 200 churches have given annually to the WMO. This year, more than 540 churches committed to participate in the coin bank program. To-date, more than $300,000 has been given to the WMO, far exceeding the past record of $170,000. We still hope to hear from more than 200 churches that have not yet reported their totals.
We praise the Lord for His blessing on the WMO. And, we give thanks for the faithful churches and individuals who have helped to change the world this year. Our prayer is for the WMO to continue to grow. Our vision is to continue to underwrite more overseas ministries with the proceeds. This will reduce the burden on missionary accounts and will also provide much needed funding to areas of the world where God is moving but the missionary presence is small or nonexistent.