December 8, 1999
EDITORIAL:
Write that check; make a difference
___If you're like most Texans, you glimpse countless signs of this sacred season daily. On your way to work or school or the library or the mall, you see nativity scenes and angels and wise men and Baby Jesuses. Of course, they compete with the glittery commercial images of the holiday. But if you look, you see symbols of the real reason we celebrate--the advent of our Savior's birth.
___Hard to imagine, isn't it, that 1.3 billion people do not know anything about this Christ, this Jesus, who is the real Reason for the season? But that lamentable fact is true. Almost one-fourth of the world's population never has heard the name of Jesus.
___Consequently, it is not surprising most Baptists traditionally turn our thoughts during this season of celebration to those who have no reason to celebrate. Our lives and eternal destinies have been awesomely altered by the incarnation of God as one who arrived as a baby in direst poverty, who turned his life over to teaching us how to know our God and who transcended death to offer us eternal salvation. The least we can do is commit ourselves to ensuring that every person on Earth has the opportunity to hear the name of Jesus and in hearing to believe his divine birthright and to accept his offer of everlasting life.
___So, Christmas has become not only a season of celebration but also of commitment to missions, to taking up Jesus' Great Commission to proclaim his story to all nations everywhere. We study about missions, and if we're particularly blessed, we have the opportunity to hear reports directly from missionaries furloughing in the United States. We also look beyond the gifts we place under our Christmas trees and write checks to support foreign missions endeavors. This gift-giving for missions comes at one of Baptists' finest hours, when we express gratitude for our blessed salvation by sacrificing to enable the salvation of others.
___For many years, all Southern Baptists contributed to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for foreign missions, which is channeled completely to the support of missionaries assigned by the Southern Baptist International Mission Board. In the past decade, some Baptists also have contributed to the Global Missions Offering, which goes entirely to the support of missionaries commissioned by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
___Southern and Texas Baptists have battled over theological/political differences and convention loyalties. But when we focus on missions, particularly the support for foreign missionaries, we should declare a truce and urge everyone to contribute sacrificially for the cause of proclaiming Christ to the nations. Even in war, armies traditionally declare a truce at Christmas. Can we not do the same?
___"The Unfinished Task: Loving the Lost" is the 1999 theme for the International Mission Board's mission study, which is being conducted this month. The Lottie Moon Offering goal this year is $125 million. It will support the work of more than 4,550 missionaries who minister in 127 countries. Their labors are supplemented by more than 20,000 short-term volunteers annually. The enterprise is great and deserves Baptists' generous contributions.
___"Doing Missions in a World Without Borders: A Design for the 21st Century" is the 1999-2000 theme for the Fellowship's Global Missions Offering. The goal is $5.25 million. The funds will support efforts of 125 missionaries who serve unreached ethnic groups globally and the urban poor in cities both worldwide and in the United States. Several thousand volunteers serve alongside them. Their cause is crucial and also deserves Baptists' sacrificial support.
___Baptists often utilize the differences among us as excuses to look away. This is understandable. We have battle fatigue. But do not let that be the case for you this Christmas. Support one of the missions offerings--not for missions enterprises alone, but for 1.3 billion people who never have heard of Jesus.
___ --Marv Knox
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com
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