Combined Missions Offering Goal Surpassed! $55,600.07

Today, I stand awed, humbled, and fearful before the Lord to be a part of such an amazing church. Our member families have gone through many trials this year such as job loss, illness, and family problems. Satan has attacked nearly everyone that is connected with Urbancrest, and especially those that have been involved in missions. It would have seemed to be a good year to batten down the hatches, take God’s 10% and pay down some bills, or to simply back away from trying to do the extra “sacrificial” stuff.

But that is not how God’s people at Urbancrest responded to the incredible opportunities to carry out the Great Commission mandate to reach the yet unreached people groups of the world, and to minister to the needs in our Jerusalem here in Lebanon, Ohio.

The Combined Missions Offering taken in November and December totaled $55,600.07 which put us over our goal of $50,000.00! I sometimes think that God is tired of my small faith. I have had to repent and at the same time praise Him for HIS love for the lost of the world and HIS desire to use Urbancrest to reach them. The Combined Missions Offering is our annual offering that goes to Southern Baptist Convention missions: 40% to the Lottie Moon Offering for international missions, 40% to the Annie Armstrong Offering to reach North America, 10% to support missions in Ohio, and 10% to World Hunger. In addition to that, during the last week of December another $43,980.00 was given to the Faith Promise Fund. $10,000.00 of that came in as a year-end gift and is designated for our Baskets of Hope from the Arington Foundation. Now you might think these additional offerings came to the detriment of the General Fund tithes. Not so, as that weekly budget was met and exceeded by $18,061.00 for the last week of December. Praise the Lord!

God is so good and so faithful when his people pray, give, and go! I am amazed by this church and our GOD! Thank you for giving, and for your work and continued prayers for me as we humbly seek to lead Urbancrest to the ends of the earth!