Q: What’s the purpose?
A: To pray for our nearly 100 Illinois Missionaries, and to give specifically to support our cooperative efforts to reach Illinois for Christ.
Q: When should churches observe the IMO and Season of Prayer?
A: The suggested dates this year are September 13-20, but churches can conduct a week of prayer and take-up an offering whenever is best for their church. Many churches today conduct one offering a year for all special missions efforts and then divide it between state, national and international SBC mission causes.
Q: What was given last year and what is this year’s goal?
A: Last year, Illinois Baptists gave $380,824 to the IMO, which was $2,000 less than the year before and $9,000 short of the goal. So, the 2009 goal is the same as last year and we are praying that, even in today’s economy, we can exceed the $390,000 goal.
Q: What will the Offering be used for?
A: The 2009 Offering will be used in 2010 to help:
- Support nearly 100 Illinois missionaries;
- Start 45 new Southern Baptist churches and support several dozen new churches started the previous two years;
- Initiate ministries on additional Illinois college campuses while supporting current ministries on 30 campuses;
- Train 22,500 leaders of existing IBSA churches in priority church ministries;
- Provide salary support for 12 Associational Directors of Missions and partner with all 34 Illinois Baptist Associations as they assist their churches in reaching their communities; and,
- Mobilize mission volunteers in at least 200 IBSA churches.
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ILLINOIS MISSIONS OFFERING
