Through the first six Sundays of the Open Door Offering we have received $28,122.35 toward our goal of $110,000. We have four Sundays to go before this offering closes and a gap of $81,878.
I believe we can reach our goal. This goal was not plucked out of thin air, but was the result of prayer and discussion by our church leadership. I truly believe this is a goal God wants us to reach. It is a goal we can only reach together, as every member and attender of this church prays about the amount God wants them to give and then obeys the leading of God.
When we meet our goal of $110,000, the offering will be distributed as follows:
· $30,000 to support the Shipes family as they seek to be faithful to God and answer His call to serve as missionaries to the people and children of Botswana.
· $30,000 to International Missions through the Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions supporting 5,000 missionaries around the world.
· $20,000 to North American Missions through the Annie Armstrong Offering for North American Missions supporting 5,000 missionaries in North America.
· $10,000 to South Carolina Missions through the Janie Chapman Offering for State Missions to help reach the lost and unchurched of our State.
· $15,000 to help in the relocation of the feeding station in Old Naledi from the church to the school.
· $5,000 to help fund Operation Inasmuch here in Sumter.
Let me ask you some pointed questions:
1. Have you prayed about a specific dollar amount God wants your family to give?
2. Can you name a way God has blessed you this past year? Is God asking you to make a gift out of gratitude for what He has done?
3. Have you discovered the joy that comes from giving and making a difference with the gift?
4. Have you made your gift to the Open Door Offering, so that people can hear about the God who loves them?
Think how honored God will be when together the small part of His family known as Alice Drive can bring Him this gift to be used for His glory. Think how missionaries will be supported, children will be fed, and our fellow Christ followers will be able to answer their call from God because you did what God asked you to do.
Imagine what would happen if all of us simply gave what God asked us to give.
Imagine.
