Missions offering goal $1.3 million

Aug 2, 2005
BARBARA DENMAN
Florida Baptist Convention

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)–At this time of the year Florida Baptists turn their thoughts to the spiritual needs within Florida as they observe the Week of Awareness for State Missions.

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The theme of this year’s emphasis is “Reflecting the Heart of the King,” which highlights the passage found in II Corinthians 5:17-20 and emphasizes verse 19: “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors as though God were making his appeal through us.”

In explaining the theme, Don Hepburn, director of public relations division, which developed the Week of Prayer promotion, said, “Florida Baptists have been called to be Christ’s ambassadors to Florida, to other states and other nations. We have been called to represent God the King in His Kingdom’s work.”

As followers and ambassadors of God, the King, Hepburn explained, “Florida Baptists must seek to embody God’s name, embrace His mission to the nations of the world and obey His Word. An ambassador’s lifestyle, giving and going should reflect the heart of the King.”

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Hepburn cited statistics that an estimated 13 million of the state’s 17.4 million residents do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That combined with the growth within the state, makes the spiritual needs even greater, he noted.

“As God’s ambassadors in the Sunshine State, we are called to use all our resources to honor His name by telling others about Jesus Christ. We do this by starting new churches, ministering to the less fortunate in the name of Christ and leading others to Jesus Christ through intentional evangelism. An ambassador bears a witness to the King.”

Another aspect of being an ambassador is representing God to other nations, he noted. “Florida Baptists are the King’s emissaries, which are spiritual ambassadors to other states and nations. We are to support other Christians in their efforts to lead people to the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a selfless vision where we cooperate with like-minded partners in reaching beyond our own backyard. It is this vision that undergirds Florida Baptists’ international missions partnerships with Baptists in Cuba, Haiti and Brazil.”

Ambassadors reflect God’s heart and desire by instructing a new generation of believers. “We equip them in missions-oriented camps and student evangelism experiences through which they can catch the vision of God’s Kingdom work. Then they, too, can better understand how to reflect the heart of the King.”

As Florida Baptists turn their attention to the spiritual needs in the state, they are being asked to participate in the Maguire State Missions Offering. The offering was named to honor the tireless missions commitment of Clyde and John Maguire, who in 1945 became the sixth executive secretary of the Florida Baptist Convention.

The Maguire State Mission Offering is designed to advance the Florida Baptist Convention’s Kingdom commitment to evangelism, church starting and church development by underwriting mission and ministry activities developed by Convention program departments.

The offering goal of $1,358,000 will fund 22 mission and ministry projects that spread the Gospel in the Sunshine state through evangelism, new churches, developing believers and mission outreach. The offering undergirds a missionary zeal seen in missions and ministry assistance to Florida Baptists’ missionary partners in Brazil, Cuba and Haiti; and by providing salary assistance to pastors in Florida’s partnership states–West Virginia, Indiana and Nevada.

For the next five weeks, the Florida Baptist Witness will share stories of people and churches who have benefited from the offering’s proceeds. “Their stories could be multiplied dozens of times,” said Hepburn. “The offering touches and changes lives across the state in many ways.”

A packet of materials for the state missions emphasis has been sent by direct mail to all Florida Baptist pastors, staff and mission leaders. To order additional free promotional materials, including a state missions video report, “Reflecting the Heart of the King, church leaders can call 800-226-8584, ext. 3151; e-mail: MSMO@flbaptist.org or go on line, www.flbaptist.org.

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