Traditionally most churches plan to take the World Mission Offering in October, which means September is the month when planning will take place about how to promote it. At the World Mission Conference this year, Rev. Bob Roberts, a long time leader in world mission support for our denomination gave some good tips about why we should support our ABC missionaries.

First he pointed out that we are all under the mandate of the Great Commission and that discipleship includes good stewardship. He also suggested we suffer from a terminal case of modesty which means we fail to tell the story of the success we see on the mission field. Finally, he said we have a pathological fear of dealing with money and, as a result, our missionaries may suffer. Related to that last point, note that we had a major push last year to keep from recalling missionaries. While that threat isn't so imminent this year, costs are the same or increasing so it is important that we match or exceed last year's effort to retain those missionaries.

So, Rev. Roberts offered his TOP 10 REASONS to support the World Mission Offering.

1. International Ministries (IM) has a continuing legacy of amazing power. The story that began with the Judsons has multiplied over our history

2. IM is one of the most respected mission sending agencies in America. The Baptist World Alliance has been quoted as saying, "IM is the finest sending agency in the USA." World Vision always lists IM as one of the top sending agencies.

3. IM has indiginitis. This means we have a missiology and history of successfully working with national leaders and raising them up to develop their own leadership. This is proven by the thriving church in Burma and Nagaland (India) AFTER government policy forced foreign missionaries to leave the country. IM always has more requests for assistance from indigenous leaders than can be met because they know we will empower them to continue on their own.

4. The way IM works. When turmoil in the Congo forced missionaries to be evacuated, all other agencies as well as the US State Department looked to IM to provide leadership in that evacuation.

5. There is a fiscally responsible record of audits and oversight that assures money is used properly.

6. IM gets more bang for the buck. Because of indiginitis (see #3) ministry by IM missionaries is multiplied.

7. IM is on the cutting edge of missions. A few examples make the point. Lauren Bethel's work with at risk women and children (featured in last month's issue) is paving new ground. Dan Buttry, an expert in conflict resolution, was able to mediate a cease fire in Nagaland (India) so the church can move forward in peace. Walt White is one of the foremost authorities on reaching out to Muslims. All of these are American Baptist missionaries.

8. The world is not yet won. There is so much to do. This is proven by the requests IM receives for help all over the world. Only a larger World Mission Offering will allow that mission to expand.

9. These missionaries are ours. Missionaries point to our churches as their family and many in the churches have responded to that.

10. Each of us is a part of it. IM is not them, it is US.