Dear Friends and Members of Calvary,
The United States is the third largest mission field on our planet. We have millions of people right here, on the doorsteps of our churches, our homes, and our schools, who have deep hunger—and not just for food or education or a warm bed, but also for comfort, hope, and the assurance that someone, somewhere cares.
It is the mission of American Baptist Churches USA's National Ministries to bring Christ-centered transformation to individuals, churches, and communities across our country and Puerto Rico. They share God's love through a host of ministries:
o Volunteers in Missions: National Ministries has sponsored hundreds of volunteers who have traveled to the Gulf Coast to help rebuild homes and lives following Hurricane Katrina
o Refugee Resettlement: National Ministries has helped to resettle more than 96,000 refugees since World War II.
o Chaplaincy: American Baptist chaplains, endorsed through National Ministries, serve on the battlefield in Iraq as well as in hospitals and prisons.
o Children in Poverty Initiative: The American Baptist Children in Poverty Initiative, developed and implemented by National Ministries, is working to transform the lives of children with limited resources.
o Evangelism: National Ministries' evangelism training is making a difference in sharing God's Good News by transforming regional and church leaders' understanding of evangelism—which in turn is transforming the leadership of those American Baptists they train in their regions and associations.
The America for Christ Offering funds all of this important, Christ-centered work. For more information on any of these ministries, please visit http://www.abc-afc.org .
Once again, it's time to bring this critical offering to the attention of American Baptists. Help National Ministries continue to transform leaders and transform lives. Help us to share the Good News that someone, somewhere, does indeed care.
Calvary Baptist Church will be collecting for the offering through the month of March. Last year, Calvary raised over $1400 for this offering. This year, we hope to raise at least $1800. As we, as a church, focus ourselves on Discipleship throughout this year, please remember as you prayerfully consider your gift that one of the signs of Discipleship is a Sacrificial Expression of Stewardship. And, please, give joyfully—"For the love of Christ urges us on."
Yours in the love of Christ,
The Calvary Baptist Church Missions Board
